Checking Wine
 

My sister has troubled/tasked me with bringing a case of her favorite wine back from Michigan with me.

Now, we are talking cheap wine. $8.00 a bottle or so, but it cannot be had in Texas. Can I just walk up to checkin with a box of wine with magic marker on the box saying "fragile"?

Or should I go through the hassle of wrapping and packing into a suitcase or something?

For a whole case, check it on the plane in a wine SHIPPING box.

A winery who does mail orders likely can give you one if you ask when you buy the wine as they ship them.

Cheap wine from Wal-Mart, you probably have to find your own.

+1

I've checked a wine shipping box without problems. I did, however, only put 8 bottles in the box and padded the four corner impact zones with T-shirts. The other four bottles from the case went inside a suitcase, each inside a sock and then wrapped in a shirt and then all of them inside a garbage bag. I think they would have been fine in the wine shipping box, however.

Excellent advice. Hadn't thought about a shipping box. Found a few online. I'll go that route. I won't be picking it up from a vinyard, but a liquor store. I can always ask them if they have such a thing from when they receive it, I guess.

You definitely need a wine shipping box.
I've probably brought back 20 cases of wine this way from Europe over the years.
Never had an issue.

I live in Michigan, so I can't imagine what Michigan wine she wants you to bring back - we only use it for cooking!

Right? She likes "Witches Brew" from Leelanau Cellers.

I've used the wine shipping boxes (styrofoam inserts) and they have worked great.

I also have gone the traditional way... And wrapped the bottles in a t-shirt.... But, I am always concerned I will find a suitcase, dripping with wine when it arrives at baggage claim.

i brought back about a case from Argentina a few years ago and just wrapped the bottles in my clothes and then plastic bags taped up real tight. No issues.

I check wine with Delta frequently. When travelling with any significant quantities, I use wine shipping boxes available from wineries or brokers in the business of shipping wine. The shippers have styrofoam or cardboard forms that protect the bottles. If I have the opportunity, I will also stop by the package-shipping stands at airports to have the box cellophane wrapped, to ensure it to does pop open (a lot of tape also does that trick, though with less assurance) and to protect the box's outer cardboard from dampness/rain on the ramp. At SFO, for example, I stop by the international terminal for package wrapping before heading to the Delta terminal.

If I'm going to a place from which I plan to bring wine home, I generally bring an empty shipper box with me, fill it up, and check it as described above for the way home. May sound nuts, but it avoids the hassle of finding the shipper box, which can be a problem in some areas.

Never check wine in the cases that you see in liquor stores. The cardboard is just too flimsy, liable to popping open or letting the bottles get knocked together. I was sorry to once see a fellow pax at baggage claim at SFO receive a case of Aussie wine all broken up in the bottom of one of those bins for loose bags (this was a UA flight from SYD). I've seen lots of other pax at ATL receive the shipper boxes without incident at baggage claim from SFO. Once in SFO I even saw another pax collect an empty shipper box at baggage claim inbound from ATL-- proof that I was not alone. ;)

For those who travel with significant quantities of wine, the shipper boxes are essential.

When I'm travelling with somewhat smaller quantities or trying to be more discreet, I generally put the bottles in those neoprene carriers by NY Built, then surround them with gym clothes, put them inside old shoe boxes taped closed to prevent shifting in transit, then put the boxes in the lower part of my stiff-side regular luggage (B&R). This has worked well for me.

Liquid restrictions are a hassle. But workarounds are available for oenophiles. Good luck.

Thewinecheck.com
 

http://www.thewinecheck.com/

My wife and I picked up one of these a couple of years ago for our trips to Napa/Sonoma/Santa Barbara. We have more than gotten our money back vs. shipping and it is very easy to transport (wheels on one end).

Completely agree with what MegatopLover has detailed here. My family lives in wine country and I do this all the time. And definitely note his caution about the wine boxes that are in liquor stores. They may not even survive the trip. Most liquor stores do not have the boxes with hard styrofoam to protect the bottles, so you might want to either check with the place where you are picking up the wine or figure out an alternate arrangement.

MegatopLover, I too have checked in empty wine boxes are luggage, planning to fill it. As an alternative, you can send the empty box via post for about $5 (assuming you have an address to where you can ship). Can save time at baggage claim, and you don't have to carry the (albeit empty) box around.

We also do as many others - check empty cases to CA, then fill and check when returning. This might change if our status changes and we have to pay for checked luggage.
However, the wine you were asked to bring sells at the winery for $5.99/bottle (before case discount) with ground shipping at $30-45 via UPS or FedEx, why incur the hassle?

As always, FlyerTalk is a wealth of great information and insight. UHAUL / UPS / others have shipping boxes with styrofoam inserts for about $15. I think I'll try this route. If this becomes a regular occurence, I'll look at something like www.thewinecheck.com has to offer.

Because my sister doesn't see it as a hassle, since I am the one schlepping it on a rental car bus, to check in, etc. :) I want to say that she inquired about shipping to Texas and was told they would not.

AA/CX/AC usually has a sticker for it. Not sure about DL.

This is a really uninformed post. There are many excellent wines being made in Michigan these days (mostly whites); that said, the OP's Witches Brew is not really one of them. But a lot of people love it.

For people checking only a bottle or two check out the wine skin...I've had great luck with them. I put the bottle in one of these and stick it in the middle of the bag amongst my clothes to avoid impacts. Its basically a tailored bag made of bubble wrap that seals at one end -- if something does break a bottle there's pretty much no way for it to leak onto your stuff.

http://www.wineskin.net/

Purchased a WineCheck 2 weeks ago in Sonoma - no issues with it, or with the 6-bottle shiping box with styrofoam padding, or with the 6-bottle shipping box with just cardboard padding.

The extra security and ease of transport vs. just the shipper box is a nice gain.

Are you sure you used an actual wine shipping box? Or was it just a box with cardboard dividers like you find wine in at the grocery store or Costco? Because an actual wine shipping box shouldn't require (or have room for) padding the corners with t-shirts. It will have molded styrofoam or molded heavy cardboard inserts that fit the interior of the box exactly, and have pre-formed spaces within for each bottle.

It had extra-thick cardboard inserts to divide it into 12 compartments and was double thick compared to the box you'd find wine in at a supermarket or liquor store. I got it from a friend who had used it to UPS wine to her parents and they'd used it to UPS home-canned goods (pickles, iirc) back to her, and my understanding is that was its official intent, which to me makes it a wine shipping box. It did not, however, have spaces that were in any way shaped for the bottles, other than having the right square dimensions. I just filled the four corner slots with something other than bottles because I was paranoid about them as impact zones. I'm sure there are higher-end boxes used for shipping wine, but this did the trick in a way that standard corrugated boxes that are only meant to be moved when stacked on a pallet never would have.

Just like the people that say 'Canada doesn't grow wine, isn't it winter the entire year?'
(Yes, I've heard that too.)

People are usually surprised to hear MI has a wine industry. I'm an equal opportunity drinker. :)

I've had some great wines, but Witches Brew is not one I like. My sister? I can't explain her taste in, well anything!

I totally agree!

I actually would have guessed there is good wine in MI considering ON also has lots of good wines.
Although my favorite wines come from Chile/Spain.

This is not a DL specific topic so I am moving this discussion over to TravelBuzz where you will have a larger audience and better a response.

RSSrsvp - Moderator

I saw this product at my hotel in Sonoma the last time I visited wine country. Frankly it is a easier way to transport your wine than having to carry a bulky cardboard box is you are traveling with more than a few bottles. Also it folds neatly when not in use. It also takes TSA approved locks for those of us worried about their bottles disappearing. :)

Julia Child was fond of saying that one should never cook with a wine one would not be willing to drink.

And yet, for some reason they don't seem to go far beyond Michigan's borders. I'm sure they're eminently quaffable, but to me "excellent" refers to wines that travel farther from home...

Actually, there are wineries in all 50 states.

you can buy the wine of the day from wtso. if you buy 12, you will get a great shipping carton and inserts along with the wine. most wines in decent bottles go over 50 lbs for a 12 pack.

1. remove the wine purchased from wts0.
2.put 10 or11 bottles of michigan wines in the box.
3.tape the box up
4.put the box into a maxi roller(64")
5.no additional cushioning needed
6.when you check in, tell the GA what you have.
7. confirm the under 50lb limit.

i have bought at least 1 case a week from these guys for a year or two, and have yet to loose a bottle.

i have carried quite a number of cases from dca to dfw.
the big roller is easy to handle.

I'll have to second the recommendation for the Wineskin. I use these quite frequently when transporting wine in my checked luggage. I've had some bottles leak into the sealed skin, but never had any leakage out of the Wineskins. Total Wine sells them rather inexpensively.

On AA I'm allowed 70lb...
On DL you are as well off you are GM or higher.

My husband and I travel with carry on luggage only. On the way home from our trips, my husband always seems to have acquired 5 or 6 bottles of local wines and liquors we have to deal with getting home. I always forget to order those wine skins. I wrap each bottle in a plastic bag, roll it in an article of clothing, and then arrange the bottles in the luggage cushioned with clothing the best I can. I only use the clothes for wrapping and cushioning that we are willing to sacrifice should there be a wine casualty.

So far in 7 trips, I've only had 1 alcohol casualty, a 1.5L wine bottle that ruined one of my shirts and an old dress. The other four 750 mL bottles in the same suitcase were ok. On this last trip, the wine and limoncello all made it home safely. My actual suitcase didn't fare so well. The rollerboard handle was busted beyond repair. Luckily AA came through and replaced it for me but I sacrificed my favorite suitcase for my husband's limoncello.

1-2 bottles, wine skin works great, otherwise save a leftover wine shipper, i.e. a proper one as used by wineries etc to *ship* wine, usually made out of styrofoam which fits snugly inside a sturdy cardboard box. Not to be confused with those garbage boxes piled up at wine shops! Only problem is that Champagne bottles can be troublesome on occasion :cool:

For padding and absorbency I just pick up a small pack of largest toddler diapers which I wrap around before sealing it in a plastic bag when I am without my wineskins.

This has absolutely become true in recent years: the airline wine shippers aren't as prevalent as they were 10-15 years ago, even in huge wine regions like Napa or Sonoma. One of the Kinko's where we had bought a shipper before said they stopped carrying them shortly after the airlines imposed bag fees: that killed off 75% of the demand for them.

Some wineries will have them onsite in their tasting rooms, but many don't - especially if they do their shipping out of a warehouse in a different location.

We always bring empties with us on wine trips. Sometimes garners a surprised look from a counter agent. Yes, I would like to check these empty boxes. :) One of these years, we will buy the nice rolling case (a more permanent piece of luggage). Perhaps when our existing supply of airline shippers becomes worn out.

We've used these shippers for probably 10-12 trips. WA, NY, multiple VA, and multiple CA. Never a casualty. We also carry a few sleeves for sparking wine bottles...we put those into our other checked luggage since they don't usually fit in the shipper case.

Yeah it's a hassle, but worth it since we do a lot of our wine trips in the summer. Shipping via UPS would be a long hot ride across the plains from either coast.

Sounds like you have first hand experience this product so hopefully you have an answer for my question. Would it be compatible with champagne bottles since they are a little bigger around the base? The wife and I are planning a trip to France next year and were wondering whether this would work for us.

If anyone else on here has experience with this I'd love to hear from you.

I went to Home Depot, and for under seven bucks you can get a ten foot piece of 4 inch pvc drain pipe

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1#.UKGpXOTAebs

If you don't have a saw at home, bring it over to the moulding section, measure and cut off a 1 foot long section, and repeat until you have ten pieces of pipe.

A wine bottle fits perfectly inside (even pinot and champagne). You can fill them with your clothing on the trip out, or just buy it there.

I've been using it for years and never had a problem. The stuff is pretty indestructible unless you freeze it in liquid notrogen and hit it with a sledge hammer.

When put in a suitcase, it doesn't scream "somebody steal me, I'm a case of wine" as it's spinning around in the luggage area.

I moved to Michigan from LA. I have yet to find any Michigan wine I'd buy, and I live 20 minutes from an area that has vineyards/sells a lot of wine.

If the OP is shipping a 'case', then I think the wine shipping box is the way to go.

For those just bringing a bottle or two along for a trip (like I do to countries whose exchange rate is kicking the US$ arse), I wrap the bottle in a couple of hand towels, then put it inside a plastic bag in case of breakage/to prevent spill, and then put it in the middle of clothes in the luggage so it's surrounded by soft stuff/won't break.

I'm probably jinxing myself here, but it's worked so far.

Cheers. Sharon

That's a great piece of advice, thank you, never thought about that, we are usually going twice a year to France/Spain/Italy and its always something close to a heart attack to have those bottles in your luggage, with that I can finally test the limits of my baggage allowance;)
I think you can also buy some caps for those pipes, just to close one side, the other maybe stuffed with old news papers and wedge it a bid, just to don't cause an airport shut down if someone looks through the bag:)
thx for sharing!

Checked in 6 large wine shipping boxes from LAX to LHR after a visit to napa earlier this year...all made it, no overweight charges (on BA at least) and they even came on the baggage belt first.
Just get a decent shipping box (with polystyrene inside)when you buy it, gaffa tape it shut properly, and make sure check in puts a fragile sticker on it.

I have to say, i have a large wine collection with all sorts of weird and wonderful varieties, but i have never tried wine from michigan...i am intrigued...