Moving Wine with North American

Whether you're an avid wine collector or simply a wine lover with an impressive selection, moving a wine collection on your own is never easy. Collections of 5, 10, 15, or more bottles can represent a sizable investment—the last thing you want is to arrive at your destination to find your favorite bottle broken or spoiled.

If you're planning a big move and need help moving wine bottles, connect with the professional moving team at North American Van Lines. We're here to help you transport delicate items, including your wine collection, as far as you need them to go. Our trusted movers have years of experience moving wine and other valuables safely and securely, with the same care and attention to detail you would use yourself.

Tips for Packing Wine Bottles

If you choose to move your collection yourself, we’re still happy to offer some tips from our experience! Moving wine can seem like a hassle, but keeping a few factors in mind will help streamline the process and ensure your bottles arrive at your destination safely.

Get an Appraisal

If you're planning on moving wine bottles, the first thing you’ll want to do is calculate the total value of your collection. High-value wine collections should be professionally appraised before shipping. The best way to locate an appraiser is to contact a local fine-wine distributor or shop.

Extreme Temperatures

If you’re moving your wine collection in the summer or winter months when temperatures can be extreme, you may want to request an estimate for a climate-controlled van line. Climate-controlled vans can help avoid bottle shock and keep your wine from spoiling.

Avoid Unpacking Right Away

While it may be tempting to unpack your wine bottles immediately after moving, it's best to wait a few days or weeks. Waiting gives your wine time to rest and acclimate to its new environment. You'll also want to avoid opening any of the bottles too soon.

Even if extreme care has been used in packing and moving, wine bottle shock may still occur. The wine will shake within the bottle as it is moved and may suffer a loss of flavor if opened too soon. Allow the bottles to rest for 7 days before opening.

Hire Professional Help

Moving isn't easy. To ensure your wine collection makes it safely to its new location, reach out to our team for expert moving services. Our professional movers have the tools, experience, and equipment needed to move your wine safely and provide peace of mind during a potentially stressful time.

How to Pack Wine Bottles

When learning how to pack wine bottles for moving, your number one priority should always be protecting your inventory. You shouldn't treat wine bottles the same way you would treat other boxes during the moving process. Special care should be taken to protect the wine when packing.

When packing wine bottles, follow these steps:

Red and white wines should be packed horizontally, the same way they’re stored at home, while champagne and sparkling wine should be packed upright.
Avoid packing open bottles with unopened bottles.
Use sufficient amounts of packing cushion to avoid breakage.

If you’re packing wine bottles yourself, consider obtaining the same wine-packing boxes used to transport wine by the case on commercial airlines. You can purchase them from wine sellers in your area. You can also order wine-packing materials from California Glass Co.:

California Glass Co.
155 98th Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94603
(510) 635-7700

Ready to start moving wine bottles to their new home? Contact us at North American Van Lines. Our team of highly trained professional movers are qualified to correctly pack wine bottles and transport them safely, whether to a local destination or across the country.

For more information about moving wine collections, visit these Websites: