A wine collection is a valuable investment that many people view with pride. It is often the result of years of research and special attention as you gather and store wine to build your collection. When it comes time to move, taking special care helps make sure your wine arrives safely at your destination. There is always a possibility of damage involved when moving fragile bottles of wine. Still, with careful planning and organization, you can move your collection from San Francisco to Los Angeles or any other location in the Bay Area with minimal risk. Many people ask themselves, “How do I move my wine collection safely”? The following tips from Royal Moving & Storage offer practical answers to precisely that question!
Wondering “How to Move My Wine Collection?” – Get a Professional Appraisal
Start by having your collection appraised by a professional appraiser. The most important things to consider when determining the value of your wine collection are:
- Provenance;
- Rarity and age;
- Condition;
- Wine ratings and reviews;
- Market demand and trends.
Knowing its full value is important for insurance purposes as well as determining how much is appropriate to spend on moving services San Francisco offers. If you have an extensive collection that includes particularly valuable wine, it is often worth spending more to provide additional protection during the move. Your local wine merchant is likely to have suggestions for a good appraiser in your area. The appraisal should reflect the value of the collection as a whole, as well as the individual value of any rare or vintage bottles of wine.
Create an Inventory
Make a complete inventory of your collection that includes a detailed list as well as a photograph of each bottle. If you work with Bay Area movers, they often will create their inventory list; double-check to make sure that the two lists match to avoid forgetting or losing even just one bottle.
Decide How to Move Your Wine Collection
Knowing your inventory and its value guides you in determining how best to move your wine collection to your new home. Some people like to move everything on their own, but seeking help from a moving company or professional wine transporter is a good idea. A wine transporter offers extra protection for your collection and is particularly appropriate for collections containing rare bottles. Acquiring a reliable service from Millbrae Movers will greatly help you move your wine safely to your new destination.
Consider Insurance Options
Purchasing moving insurance for the full value of your collection protects you against possible damage during the move. Your moving company will explain your insurance options, but choosing full-value coverage is usually the most appropriate option.
Talk to Your Moving Company
If you decide to work with San Francisco residential movers, notify them in advance that they will be moving a high-value wine collection. Make sure they have experience moving wine and are qualified for the job. Providing them with your appraisal information lets them determine liability and insurance options. They can offer suggestions for the best way to handle transporting your collection.
Check the Legal Regulations When Moving Your Wine Collection
States have different rules governing the amount of alcohol brought in for personal use. Always contact the alcohol beverage control authorities in your new destination before the move. This is even more important when moving to a new country. Make sure you understand and follow the regulations and customs guidelines for alcohol to avoid any problems during transport.
Think About Temperature
Wine is sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and should be transported at temperatures around 55 degrees. Early spring and late fall are the best times of year to move a wine collection because the weather is likely to be close to the ideal temperature. If you are moving at a different time of year, consider using a climate-controlled vehicle.
This becomes more important as the chance of extreme temperatures increases. Book the vehicle early to make sure it is available for your move. If moving your wine collection to a storage facility, transport them only to temperature-controlled storage Los Angeles has at its disposal to keep your bottles cool and safe.
Pack and Move Your Wine Collection Carefully
You can rest assured that local movers in San Francisco know how to pack wine for transport properly, so letting them handle it is often a good idea. It is especially desirable if you are moving to a new country because they can certify that when passing through customs. Otherwise, you can choose to pack the wine yourself but be prepared to provide the necessary documentation to transport them over the border. When packing wine, always use boxes designed for wine bottles.
These boxes are often made of styrofoam or corrugated cardboard and can usually be purchased from a moving company or a wine store. Corked wine should be packed on its side the same way you store it in a wine rack. Label all your wine boxes FRAGILE – THIS SIDE UP. Never pack open bottles of wine with your wine collection, as this can cause damage to your other belongings.
Check Your Inventory at Your Destination
Once you arrive at your new destination, carefully check your wine collection against your inventory list and pictures. If you discover that anything is missing or damaged, take note of it on the moving company’s inventory and notify them immediately. They will assist you in filing a claim for reimbursement or replacement. If you’re in the middle of an interstate move with cross-country moving companies in San Francisco, the need for a meticulous inventory is imperative.
Let the Bottles Rest
After the move is complete, let the bottles rest for a minimum of seven days. The wine shakes during transport, and opening a bottle too soon could result in a loss of flavor. Older wines are particularly vulnerable. Some collectors prefer a whole month of rest before opening bottles. There is a lot to consider when moving a valuable wine collection, but organization lets you stay on top of the details. Careful preparation and handling help protect your wine for safe transport so you can enjoy it and continue to build your collection at your new location.
Move Your Wine Collection with Careful Planning and Delicate Touch!
If you’ve wondered, “How do I move my wine collection?” we hope we have helped you answer your question! Utilize the methods and techniques laid out here to ensure the well-being of your priceless possessions. Your collection doesn’t have to be the most expensive in the world to be priceless for you, so approach moving with the same level of dedication you already have for it. Get a free moving quote to find out how much this move will cost you so you can adequately prepare for it!
