Australians are well known for enjoying a drink, and the numbers back it up. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 75% of Australian adults consume alcohol, with wine being one of the most popular choices—especially in metropolitan areas like Sydney. In suburbs across the Northern Beaches, it’s common for households to have carefully curated wine collections, often featuring both high-value investment bottles and deeply sentimental vintages collected over the years.

If you’re planning a move and have a wine collection to protect, it’s not something you want to leave to chance. Wine is fragile, sensitive to temperature changes, and can easily be damaged if not packed correctly. At John Bull Removals & Storage, we’ve handled countless wine relocations—here’s how to do it properly.

Wine isn’t just another household item. Improper handling can lead to:

• Cork drying and oxidation
• Broken bottles
• Label damage (important for collectors)
• Temperature spoilage

Whether your collection is worth hundreds or tens of thousands, the packing process is critical.

1. Sort and Take Inventory

Before packing, go through your collection:

• Separate high-value bottles
• Identify sentimental or rare wines
• Take photos or create a simple inventory list

This not only helps with organisation but is essential for insurance purposes.

2. Use Purpose-Built Wine Boxes

Avoid standard moving boxes. Instead, use:

• Wine cartons with dividers
• Polystyrene wine shippers
• Specialty removalist wine crates

These are designed to keep bottles secure and prevent movement during transit. Ask your removalist for boxes for boxes to transport wine.

3. Wrap Each Bottle Properly

Even with dividers, wrapping is key:

• Use butchers paper or bubble wrap
• Wrap bottles individually
• Pay extra attention to the neck and base

For premium bottles, double wrapping is recommended. Consider using your removalists packing service to assist with this process.

4. Pack Bottles Horizontally *

Wine should be stored on its side to:

• Keep the cork moist
• Prevent oxidation

• * Pack champagne upright to avoid shaking or exploding *

5. Control Temperature Exposure

Sydney moves can get hot, especially in summer. Heat is one of the biggest risks to wine.

Tips:

• Avoid leaving wine in trucks for extended periods
• Make a plan with your moving service to load wine last and unload first in your new home
• Move early in the morning where possible
• Consider climate-controlled storage if delays are expected

John Bull offers delivery of all materials required to protect your wine collections come moving day. Simply make an order our online box shop and arrange delivery https://www.johnbull.com.au/box-shop/