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Hi Reader,

I get this question all the time: How do you actually bring wine home from a trip?

Most of the time, I’ll check a suitcase and leave extra room for bottles.

But…cobblestones and stairs don’t mix well with giant luggage. 🧳

And sometimes I want way more wine than I could possibly fit (like those few cases I bought in Italy 🍷🇮🇹😬).

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get bottles home safely. Here are my go-tos:

🧳 Packing in Your Suitcase

• ​Bubble-wrap sleeves ($10–20): reusable, inexpensive, perfect for a few bottles.
• ​Wine luggage ($100-300): can fit up to a full case, many roll like a suitcase.
• Tip: Watch out for overweight fees ($75–150). Bring an extra bag to shift stuff around and carry on the plane.

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📦 Checking a Case of Wine

• Pick up a cardboard shipper box at a local liquor store and fill it as you go.
• Some airlines let you check a case free (like Alaska’s Wine Flies Free program).
• Otherwise, you’ll pay standard checked bag fees ($30–50 domestic, higher international).

🍇 Winery Shipping & Wine Clubs

• Many wineries will ship directly to your home (but U.S. shipping laws vary by state).
• Costs usually run $50–150 per case, depending on quantity and distance.
• Wine clubs often discount or waive shipping.
• Tip: Ordering in summer? Ask to hold your shipment until cooler months.

📮 Using a Local Shipper

• Services like Mail Boxes Etc. or Napa Mail Center can pack and ship wine for you.
• Helpful if you’re collecting bottles from different stops.
• Cost: $50–150 domestically, $100-250 internationally

🌍 Customs & Duty Fees

• U.S. travelers: 1 liter is “duty free.” Beyond that, make sure to declare it.
• Duty is small (usually under $2/bottle), but honesty saves headaches.
• Outside the U.S.? Rules vary, so it’s worth checking before you buy.

No one method works for every trip. But planning ahead makes it easier (and saves your clothes from smelling like a wine cellar). 👚

Cheers,

Laura

P.S. What’s the most wine you’ve ever lugged home in a suitcase? Hit reply, and let me know!

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P.O. Box 44, Pinehurst, MA 01866
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