If you collect wine, then you know how much effort it takes, not just the cost of the wine, but all the work that goes into finding interesting vintages. Your wine collection is very important. It’s also potentially quite fragile.
Moving with a wine collection requires a fair bit of thought to move it safely. Knowing how to move wine bottles will help make sure your collection stays intact, including a celebratory bottle after the move.
Why You Need A Specialized Wine Moving Company
Most moving companies can handle a bottle or two of wine, or you have the option of transporting it yourself. If you have a full collection, though, then they may not be able to handle it. Wine moving companies understand the value and importance of your collection and how to move it safely.
The Value and Fragility of Wine Collections
The record price for a single bottle of wine was recorded in 2018, when a 1945 Romanee-Conti burgundy passed through Sotheby’s for $558,000. Most collectors are never going to be in a position to (or need to) drop half a million on a bottle. But with many good wines going for three, four, or even five figures (and sometimes increasing in value over time), your collection might well be the most valuable thing you own.
On top of that, many bottles in your collection may have a sentimental value. Maybe it’s a bottle you bought on your honeymoon and are explicitly saving for your 20th anniversary. Or it’s a weird wine that you bought on a memorable trip.
As well as being the most valuable thing you own, it’s also one of the most fragile. It’s very easy to break a bottle of wine, and gravity and physics don’t care if it’s a $100,000 bottle or Two Buck Chuck. Bottles have to be packed very carefully when moved and also have to be kept horizontal to avoid settling.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Wine Moving Company
Regular movers put boxes in a truck. A professional wine moving company will keep your bottles properly racked and transport them in temperature controlled environments, white and reds separate to keep them at optimal temperature. Special packing will ensure that every bottle arrives at its destination intact.
They also have insurance that covers your collection if the worst happens.
How to Move Wine Bottles Safely
Wine moving companies will help your bottles get to their destination, but knowing how to pack wine bottles for moving will help ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Preparing Your Wine Collection for the Move
The first thing to do is make sure your wine inventory is up-to-date. There are apps you can use to inventory your wine collection. Make sure you have all the documentation, such as receipts, that you need to prove the value of the collection. If you have a bottle you bought a while ago, now might be a good time to get it appraised. You’re going to need this for insurance. You might want to get the entire collection appraised.
Organize and categorize your bottles. First of all, separate out any opened bottles. These should not be shipped with the rest as they may leak and damage the packaging. If you only have a couple of opened bottles, the best thing to do is to enjoy them before your move. Or take them with you in the car and use them for your housewarming party.
The Importance of Temperature Control
Wine should always be transported at the correct temperature. Temperature fluctuations can affect the quality of wine and may even turn it sour. If possible, move your collection in spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Avoid moving your collection in the middle of the day during the summer, or early in the morning/late at night during winter. Wine should always be moved in a temperature-controlled vehicle.
If you only have a few bottles, taking them with you when you drive to your new home is absolutely an option. Put the boxes on the floor in the back seat area rather than in the trunk. It can cost a lot for a climate-controlled van, but it’s worth it.
Packing Techniques for Wine Bottles
Selecting the Right Packing Materials
Wine bottles should always be packed in specialized boxes designed for wine bottles. The boxes have special dividers and are insulated to help reduce temperature changes. Most wine shops sell them.
Don’t put wine in regular boxes with packing peanuts or other padding. Always use wine boxes. It’s worth the extra cost.
Step-by-Step Guide to Packing Wine Bottles
Here’s how to pack wine bottles for moving.
- Acquire proper wine packing boxes.
- Wrap each bottle in packing paper.
- Place the bottles in the box, keeping them on their side.
- Close the box.
- Label the box to make sure that movers know which side is up and mark it fragile.
Knowing how to move wine bottles will help keep them safe.
Tips for Moving a Wine Collection Long-Distance
If you’re moving long-distance, things can be even more complicated. Here are some tips.
Planning the Move
Start planning how to move your wine collection as soon as you know you’re going to move. It can take time to do an inventory and get appraisals, and breaking this task up makes it less intimidating. Talk to your moving company and find out if you need to hire a specialist.
Check regulations on shipping wine to the state you are moving to. For example, Virginia limits wine shipped into the state to three gallons for personal use. For anything more than that, you need to get a permit. Your wine movers are likely to know the rules and what you need to do.
Protecting Your Wine During Transit
In addition to properly packing your wine and making sure it is insulated, there are some other things you can do to protect it in transit. You might want to put a GPS tracker in each case so that you can watch your wine move and know if it stops or goes off course.
Household insurance may not cover your wine, or may not cover it during the move. If you have your collection separately insured, check with your insurance broker. While most professional movers are insured, don’t count on their insurance and get a temporary policy if needed. It’s typically best to get separate insurance anyway.
Unpacking and Storing Wine After the Move
Make sure you have a plan for unpacking and storing in your new home. Wine should not be left in packing boxes any longer than necessary.
Inspecting Wine Bottles Upon Arrival
As soon as both you and your wine are in your new home, thoroughly inspect the collection. Make sure there are no bottles broken or missing, and that if a bottle is broken that you know which one for an accurate insurance claim. Also look for bulging corks (which can indicate heat damage), or sunken corks. Take photographs accordingly so you can make a claim.
Proper Wine Storage in Your New Home
Ideally, set up your wine storage area(s) before your wine arrives. If this isn’t possible, for example if your wine is being shipped at the same time, then at least make a plan for where your wine is going to “live.” Talk to your movers to make sure they place your racks in the right location.
Remember the important conditions for long-term wine storage. Wine should be stored at between 53 and 57 Fahrenheit for the long term. If your new home doesn’t have a cool area and you don’t already have one, it’s time to invest in a wine cooler/wine fridge. Make sure you locate this in an area which doesn’t have temperature fluctuations.
If you have a collection of wine to move, Freedom Moving & Storage can help. We offer local, long-distance, and even international moves and we know how to move your wine. Contact us for a quote and to discuss your moving needs today.
