No matter where and what you are moving, property damage is a serious concern during any move. This is amplified when moving your wine collection that you have spent years and, often times, a small fortune procuring. Whether you are moving locally or long-distance, the threat to a fragile commodity, like wine, is real and something that should not be taken lightly. Read our tips to protect your collection from harm.
- Inventory Your Collection: Before any move, it is essential to have a good handle on what you are moving. This is even more true when it comes to something like a wine collection that has items that can be difficult to replace if stolen or damaged. If you’re like me, you probably have a system to organize your collection, so taking inventory should be a simple, but necessary part of the process to make sure all of your wines make it with you to your new home.
- Get a Professional Appraisal: Many wine shops and even high-end restaurants will have someone on staff that can give you a professional appraisal of your collection. Even an experienced and knowledgeable collector can potentially have hidden value in their collection that they are not aware of. Not only will this help you take extra care of your most expensive and rare bottles, but it is also a good opportunity for you to evaluate where your collection is at every time you relocate
- Insure Your Investment: After getting an appraisal, consider getting yourself insurance for your wine collection. Although you may not be able to replace certain bottles, at least you can have some piece of mind that if your collection is damaged or destroyed, you can replace some of the value. Whether you are moving across the country or even into a new cellar on the same property, moving your wine comes with significant risk. Protect your prized possessions.
- Pack Properly: Like with any move, having the right packing supplies is key. Make sure to get specialized wine shippers and boxes so that you can properly protect your wines during your move. By using the right boxes, you can keep your wines horizontal and away from sun and heat exposure to keep your wines in the proper conditions to make it to their new home safely.
- Hire Help: Although it can be tempting to move your wines yourself since you have put so much time and love into building your collection, you could be putting your valuables at greater risk. Hire professional help to ensure that your wines are secure. Whether it is hiring a specialized wine mover, or simply one that deals in antiques and other fragile items, hiring professional help will give you access to the right boxes, temperature-controlled trucks and expert help you need to secure your collection during your move.
- Know Your Destination: While moving your cellar, the packing and the transportation can become the full focus of your efforts. Make sure to also think about your destination. Especially if you are moving cross-country, have someone check to make sure that your new cellar has the correct temperature to keep your wines safe when you move them into their new home. Also, certain states have laws about how much alcohol one can take across state lines. Although, many of these states are changing their laws, take a look to make sure that moving your collection is legal in your destination.