How to Pack Wine in Checked Luggage

Trying a unique Grecian grape, Dafni, in Santorini

It happens. You’re on a trip and try an amazing wine. Maybe it’s something you can’t even buy back at home, so you decide to pick a bottle up on the spot and transport it back with you.

But how can you get it safely home in your luggage?

Now, I’m usually a carry-on-only traveler. But the idea of bringing home an incredible, or especially unique, bottle can turn even me into someone ready to check a bag. And working with wine clients over the years has meant quite a few occasions where this exact scenario has happened.

I’ve found two simple methods to get wine back safely in a checked bag.

The First Way

This is my preferred method, but it does require picking up a wine sleeve. These are usually inexpensive and can often be found on-site at a winery.

Once you’ve secured a wine sleeve, follow these steps:

·      Slide the bottle inside the wine sleeve.

·      Secure the sleeve at the bottom. Depending on the type of sleeve, this might be with an adhesive or a fastener.

·      Place some clothing on the bottom of your luggage to cushion the bottle.

·      Place the bottle in the sleeve on top of the clothing.

·      Pack clothing around the bottle to help further cushion it.

·      Close your bag up, and you’re set.

Pro tip: If you find a good wine sleeve that can be reused, hang on to it and pack it for your next trip to wine country.

Place bottle in a wine sleeve

Place clothing around the bottle

Packing a cushion of clothing on top of the bottles

The Second Way

If you don’t have a wine sleeve, no worries. This is another method I’ve used often. It involves wrapping the bottle in a thicker fabric, such as a pair of sweatpants or pajama pants. I also like to have a longer piece of fabric so I can wrap the bottle a few times.

Once you’d identified a good piece of clothing for the job, follow these steps:

·      Wrap the bottle in the fabric.

·      Place some clothing on the bottom of your luggage to cushion the bottle.

·      Place the bottle on top of the clothing.

·      Pack clothing around the bottle to help further cushion it.

·      Close your bag up, and you’re set.

Place clothing on the bottom of luggage

Wrap bottle in thick fabric

Pack clothing around the bottles

Either method should help get your wine back home in a checked bag safe and sound. Be sure to have an eye on the weather, too. If it’s going to be especially hot or cold during your journey back, you might want to reconsider packing the wine, as extreme temperatures can affect its quality.