How To Move A Wine Collection When Relocating

If you’ve landed on this page, you likely know a thing or two about wine – whether you have a section of your kitchen dedicated to your small, but expanding, selection of wine, or you’ve devoted an entire cellar to your massive wine collection. One thing is true, relocating wine, especially if it’s a vintage or expensive wine, is not as easy as placing it into a cardboard box and onto a moving truck.

In fact, you’ll want to hire a professional moving company that has both the knowledge and resources to ensure that your investment is protected. Companies that offer professional wine shipping provide the most seamless method for transporting large and pricey wine collections to their customer’s new homes. If you’re planning to move to a new house and you want your wine collection to come along with you, the following steps will help ensure that your wines are protected for the long haul:

Take Inventory Of The Wine Collection

Your first step in relocating your wine collection should be to evaluate it and decide on how much you want to move. If your new home isn’t large enough to house your whole selection, you may want to sell some wine or give it away to friends or family members. Then, once you have a final inventory list of all the wine you want to move, you’ll be able to receive the most accurate quote from your movers.

Pro Tip: As you are taking inventory, you should also snap photos of your valuable collection. Take photos of each bottle and label them to fully document everything you have.

Obtain a Wine Appraisal

To ensure full protection of your wine collection, you’re going to want to take out insurance to cover it while in transit. In order to obtain the most accurate and affordable moving insurance option, you’ll need to get an updated wine appraisal. Take your time searching for a reputable appraiser and try to avoid selecting one at random. If you’re unsure of where to start looking, ask around at your local liquor stores or distributors for some recommendations.

How To Transport A Wine When Moving

If you’re considering just placing a couple of cases of fine wine in your car and driving across the country, it’s important that you know the risks. Temperature changes on the road can spoil the wine and the vibration from road conditions will stir sediment in mature reds. More specifically, heat will cook the wine and freezing conditions will cause the cork to pop out. With that said, your best bet is to hire a professional moving company that specializes in the transport of wine collections.

How To Move Wine Across Country

Not just any old moving company is capable of transporting wine. In fact, many cross-country movers are not permitted to transport hazardous materials, like alcohol, inside of a moving truck. Therefore, when you’re searching for movers, make sure that you tell them about your wine collection before you proceed with a consultation.

How To Keep Your Wine Collection Secure During The Move

In order to keep your wine preserved during transit, certain conditions must be met. Changes in light, humidity, and temperature can cause irreparable consequences. Make sure that the moving company that you choose can maintain optimal conditions for your wine collection at all times during transport.

If the transport is going to take more than a day, make sure that the moving truck has the ability to maintain a constant temperature and humidity throughout the journey. Then, meet your wine collection at the destination in advance. That way, you can have the necessary conditions set up and ready for when the wine arrives.

Moving a wine collection correctly is an investment that is sometimes necessary. To help make the experience less overwhelming, surround yourself with a team of people that is knowledgeable and highly experienced in transporting wine.
Have questions about how you’re going to move your large wine collection to your new home? Give us a call today and one of our moving specialists will address any of your concerns and start scheduling your free consultation!

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