How to Transport Wine Safely While Travelling

Travelling often goes hand in hand with discovering new wines. Whether you're visiting renowned wine regions, enjoying memorable tastings or simply bringing home a few bottles from your holiday, it's important to think about how you transport them.

Wine is a living product and is particularly sensitive to heat, light and excessive movement. During the summer months, high temperatures can quickly affect its quality if bottles are not handled with care.

Here are a few simple tips to ensure your wines arrive home in perfect condition.

Avoid leaving wine inside the car

A parked car can easily reach temperatures above 50°C (122°F) on a sunny day. Such extreme heat accelerates wine ageing and may permanently alter its aromas, flavours and overall balance.

Whenever possible, transport your wine directly to your destination and avoid leaving bottles in the boot or inside the vehicle for extended periods.

Protect your bottles during transport

Use dedicated wine boxes or padded bottle carriers whenever possible. They help prevent bottles from knocking against one another while also reducing vibrations during the journey.

If you are carrying only a few bottles, wrapping them in towels or clothing provides a simple yet effective layer of protection.

Keep bottles away from direct sunlight

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage wine. Store bottles in the boot or inside closed boxes rather than leaving them exposed to direct light throughout the journey.

Keep wine cool whenever possible

For longer trips or particularly hot days, an insulated cooler or thermal bag can help maintain a more stable temperature. There is no need to place bottles directly on ice the aim is simply to protect them from excessive heat.

Let the wine rest before opening

After travelling, especially over long distances, allow the bottles to rest for several hours or ideally until the following day before opening them.

This allows any sediment to settle naturally and gives the wine time to recover from the movement experienced during transport.

Small precautions make a big difference

Wine is made to be enjoyed at its very best. A few simple precautions during transport are enough to preserve its freshness, balance and character.

If you're returning from your holidays with a few special bottles, take good care of them along the way. When it's finally time to uncork them, you'll be glad you did.

Enjoy your travels and your wines.

Find out all of our wines in our Online Shop!