Tips for Moving Your Wine Collection and Wine Glasses

July 1, 2018

Bottle of red wine beside a glass of wine on a white background

Between the corrugated boxes, packing tape and packing peanuts, moving can be an exhausting and stressful experience. Many of your belongings can easily be tossed into a box and placed on the moving van. However, there are other items that must be handled with care, especially if they are worth some serious money.

If you're a wine connoisseur, chances are you want to ensure your collection and stemware are protected during the move. Here are a few simple tips that will help you expertly pack your wine bottles and glasses.

Purchase the Right Materials

The best way to protect your investment during both the packing and the actual move is to purchase the right materials. Here is a list of the materials you will need in order to pack both your wine and stemware.

Cell Kits

The most effective way to keep your wine and stemware safe is to purchase several cell kits. The cells are constructed from cardboard dividers that will pack each individual bottle or glass. These kits are available both in store and online.

Boxes

Look for boxes that are compatible with your cell kits. Choose boxes that are corrugated and at least double- or triple-wall thickness.

White Tissue Paper

White, acid-free tissue paper is the best option. Avoid newspaper, as the text will potentially bleed into the wine's label.

Packing Peanuts

Any open spaces left should be filled with packing peanuts or another filler product. This will help prevent the bottles from shifting inside the box.

Bubble Wrap.

Bubble wrap is another inexpensive way to protect your wine and glasses during the move.

Additionally, you will need plenty of packing tape and a black permanent marker.

Packing Your Wine

Now that you have the necessary materials, it's time to begin packing your wine. Here is a step-by-step guide to help ensure your wine is safe during the entire move:

1. Check Your Bottles

Take an inventory of your wine. This will help ensure you have enough boxes and materials to transport them all. If you have too much wine or if it would be very expensive to relocate your collection, consider giving a few bottles to a friend or throwing a going-away party.

2. Assemble the Boxes

Put the boxes together, making sure to secure the bottom with several pieces of packing tape. Slide the cell kits into the boxes.

3. Wrap each bottle

Wrap each bottle with two or three pieces of white tissue paper. Secure the end of the paper with a piece of tape. If the bottle is fragile or worth a lot of money, wrap it in a layer of bubble wrap as well.

4. Carefully Pack the Bottles

Carefully lower the bottles into each cell compartment.

5. Fill the Gaps

Fill any remaining gaps with packing peanuts. Once the box is full, secure the top with several pieces of tape.

Label each box with its contents and place it on its side. This will help ensure that the cork remains wet, which will prevent damage.

Packing Your Wine Glasses

Protecting your stemware during the move is simple, and you will thank yourself for taking the extra steps. To begin, wrap each of the glasses with at least two to four layers of white tissue paper. Before you tape the ends, crumple up another piece of tissue paper and carefully stuff it inside the bowl.

Finish by securing the tissue paper around both the stem and the foot with tape. Finer and more expensive pieces should be stored inside individual cell compartments. However, if you have stemware or glasses that aren't as fragile, you can carefully place several pieces into a smaller cardboard box.

Whether you choose to use cell compartments or skip them, it is important to fill any gaps with packing peanuts. Once again, this will help ensure the glasses do not move while they are being transported. Finally, secure the boxes and label them.

Protecting Your Wine and Glasses During the Move

Finally, it's time to put the boxes on the moving truck and head toward your new home. It is important to place the boxes in the ideal spot to avoid causing unintentional damage. First off, make sure all the boxes are labeled "Fragile," and let the moving company know what's inside.

The boxes should be placed on the floor of the moving van and not on top of furniture or shelving. Make sure the boxes are packed tightly, which will prevent the fragile bottles and stemware from moving around during transport. A great place for boxes is under desks or other spots which will keep them secure.

After you remove the wine from the boxes, allow it to rest for several days. This will help the wine recover from the stress of the move.

Moving your wine and stemware properly will help prevent unnecessary damage. If you have any further questions, contact the professionals at Redondo Van & Storage.

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How to Pack and Wrap Specialty Items: A Guide from Your Local Moving Company

September 18, 2026

Some belongings just can't be tossed in a box with a handful of newspaper and called "packed." Grand pianos, fine art, antique furniture, wine collections, aquariums, and other specialty items need a different level of care — the kind that comes from decades of hands-on experience, not a YouTube tutorial the night before your move. At Redondo Van & Storage , we've been the trusted local moving company for Redondo Beach and the South Bay since 1919. Over more than a century in business, our team has packed, wrapped, and safely transported just about everything a home or business can own. Below, we're sharing our best tips for protecting specialty items — along with a reminder that when it's time to move, our residential moving company is only a phone call away. Why Specialty Items Need Special Attention Standard moving boxes and bubble wrap are great for dishes and books, but they fall short when it comes to items that are: Fragile or delicate — glassware, china, mirrors, and artwork Oddly shaped — chandeliers, lamps, sculptures, and musical instruments Heavy and awkward — pianos, safes, pool tables, and marble tabletops Sentimental or irreplaceable — family heirlooms, antiques, and collectibles High-value — jewelry, fine art, and electronics A single scratch, dent, or crack can turn an exciting move into a heartbreaking one. That's why our team treats every specialty item like it's the only one that matters — because to you, it is. Tips for Packing Specialty Items the Right Way 1. Use the Right Materials Cardboard and old towels won't cut it for your grandmother's china cabinet. Specialty items call for specialty supplies: foam padding, corner protectors, custom crates, moving blankets, and acid-free packing paper for artwork and photographs. These materials cushion against shock and prevent scratches, moisture damage, and shifting during transport. 2. Disassemble When Possible Large or complex items — think bed frames, dining tables, or electronics with detachable cords — travel much more safely when broken down into smaller pieces. Keep hardware bagged and labeled so reassembly at your new home is quick and painless. 3. Wrap in Layers Fragile and valuable items benefit from a layered approach: a soft inner layer (packing paper or foam) to prevent surface scratches, followed by a cushioning layer (bubble wrap or blankets) to absorb shock, and finally a sturdy outer layer (a well-built box or crate) to protect against pressure and impact. 4. Label Everything Clearly "Fragile" isn't enough on its own. Note which side is up, whether an item is climate-sensitive, and which room it belongs in at your new home. Clear labeling helps movers handle each piece appropriately from the truck to your front door. 5. Consider Custom Crating for High-Value Pieces Some items — fine art, marble statues, antique mirrors, and musical instruments — deserve custom-built wooden crates designed to their exact dimensions. This is where an experienced residential moving company makes all the difference. Our team can build and fit crates specifically for your most valuable belongings before moving day even begins. 6. Don't Forget Climate and Timing Certain specialty items, like wine collections, electronics, and wood furniture, are sensitive to temperature and humidity. If your move involves a stop in storage , make sure the facility can accommodate any special climate needs before your items arrive. Leave It to the Professionals Packing specialty items is one of those tasks that looks simple until you're staring down a 500-pound safe or a chandelier with more crystal pieces than you can count. Our full-service packing team has spent generations perfecting the art of wrapping, crating, loading, and unloading items of every shape, size, and value. Whether you're a homeowner in Redondo Beach or searching for a trusted moving company Rolling Hills Estates CA families rely on, our movers Rolling Hills Estates CA and throughout the South Bay bring the same white-glove care to every job — from a single antique dresser to a full estate. Why Choose Redondo Van & Storage Over 100 years of experience serving the Redondo Beach and South Bay community Voted South Bay's Best Moving Company six years running Recognized by USA Today as one of America's Best Moving Companies Full-service packing, wrapping, crating, and storage solutions Locally owned and operated — we treat your belongings like our own As a trusted local moving company and residential moving services provider, we know that specialty items deserve specialty care. Don't risk damaging your most valuable belongings with a rushed packing job — let our experienced team handle it from start to finish. Ready to move? Call Redondo Van & Storage today at (310) 376-7919 or request a free quote online for expert packing, wrapping, and moving services in Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, and throughout the South Bay.