If you like bringing bottles of wine back from your vacations, you have probably had the nerve-wracking experience of wrapping the bottles in your clothes, stashing them away in your suitcase, and hoping for the best. If you’re traveling with only one or two bottles, you can probably get away with keeping them in your suitcase, but if you need to carry lots of wine with you, this won’t work, especially if you also have to pack clothes and other travel items.
The best way to carry lots of wine with you on your travels is to get a bag especially for transporting wine bottles. The best wine travel bag or case is essential for an avid wine collector, or even just someone who needs to bring home lots of bottles to gift to people. In this guide, I will compare the best wine travel bags available on the market, which will help you decide which one best fits your needs. But first, you should know how to choose a dedicated wine carrying case for your needs as there are some unique wine carriers available.
Table of Contents
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
Top pick for wine luggage |  VinGardeValise 05 Grande | |
Runner up |  Vino-Voyage 2.0 TSA-Approved 12-Bottle Wine Suitcase | |
Top pick for wine tote |  Tilvini Leather 2 Bottle Insulated Wine Bag And Tumblers | |
Budget pick |  Tirrinia 4 Bottle Wine Tote Carrier | |
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Wine Travel Bag
When choosing a wine travel case to suit your needs, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
When you travel by air, make sure to keep alcohol allowances in mind, as well as the durability of the bag. Luggage can get bumped about quite a bit on the journey from the check-in counter to the cargo hold, so a bag that offers minimal protection might as well be useless.
You can carry as much wine as you want on trains as long as you remain within weight limits imposed on your luggage, and of course, you make the rules if you are driving your own car. If you want to take wine with you on picnics, you can consider a smaller case that can hold a few bottles or maybe a picnic backpack.
To avoid any problems with TSA breaking the locks on your bags, make sure you get a TSA approved wine carrier that has a lock that can be opened by a security agent with a key.
If you are a wine enthusiast or professional and travel with a lot of expensive wine, then you need a more durable bag that will definitely keep the precious nectar safe. Adequate padding will ensure that the bottles don’t get jolted around inside the case due to rough handling, which may occur after you check in your luggage.
How much wine do you carry with you? You will need a bag that will fit that many bottles. When traveling by air or by rail, you can check in as much wine as will be within your permitted weight limit. The TSA allows you to carry one liter of wine per person bought from the duty-free in your carry-on if you are flying. If you check your bag in, regulations on how much wine you can carry will vary from country to country, but in the US, you can carry as much wine as you want on flights as long as the alcohol content by volume is under 24%. For Amtrak trains, your maximum weight per item of checked luggage is 50lbs. For further details, check out our guide to packing wine in your checked luggage.
Keeping all this in mind, here are some of the best wine travel bags and cases that fit a variety of use cases and don’t compromise on quality.
Best Wine Bags for Air Travel
These are the best heavy-duty cases with large capacities, specifically designed with air travel in mind.
VinGardeValise 05 Grande – 12 Bottle Wine Travel Case
VinGardeValise is easily one of the most widely recognized makers of wine travel cases, and the VinGardeValise 05 Grande is the best wine suitcase for when you’re traveling by air. The Grande has removable padded inserts that allow you to carry up to 12 bottles of wine. By removing the inserts on one side, you can convert half the travel case into conventional suitcase storage, letting you also pack clothes in if you only want to carry up to six bottles. This is great for someone who doesn’t collect wines or isn’t a professional but just wants to be able to carry two to six bottles home as souvenirs or gifts.
VinGardeValise also sells a number of specialized wine bottle suitcase inserts for this wine bag to control the temperature of the bottles, or to allow for carrying magnum-sized bottles, which is a useful feature for wine professionals.
The suitcase is sturdily built, with strong corner protection and a TSA-approved lock that is integrated smoothly into the suitcase’s body. The strong, two-channel zippers will not break easily and the seatbelt-grade, burst straps offer greater security. The case also features a HomingPin system to track lost bags, and you get a one-year subscription when you purchase a case. This is a great feature for international air travel since you can track exactly where the case is if it doesn’t reach your destination with you. The bag comes with 360-degree swivel wheels that let you easily move it around with it upright.
If the Grande is too big for your needs, VinGardeValise also makes a Petite version that holds up to 8 bottles and a Piccolo version that can hold 5 bottles. The smaller versions have all the same features, they’re just smaller. These wine cases are perfect for you if you need easy maneuverability and durability at a decent price.
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Vino-Voyage 2.0 TSA-Approved 12-Bottle Wine Suitcase
The Vino-Voyage 2.0 wine suitcase looks like a regular suitcase at first glance, but it hides within its unassuming red shell two dense foam inserts with cut-outs for 6 bottles of wine each, or 3 each if you choose to buy the smaller version of the case.
The case is sturdily built like the VinGardeValise model, with reinforced corners protecting your wine bottles from accidental bumps and tips. Despite its durability, the Vino-Voyage is lightweight and easy to move around, with 360-degree wheels. The TSA-approved lock ensures that airport security won’t damage your suitcase to see what’s inside. The cut-outs in the foam inserts are of different shapes to allow you to transport various types of wine bottles.
Possibly the most interesting thing about this case is the fact that it has its own inbuilt weighing scale. To use it, you simply load it, stand it upright, and press the button. Then you lift the bag by its handle and the LED display will show you its weight. This is great when you don’t have access to a weighing scale and don’t want to risk going over the limit. When you don’t have any wine to carry, you can take the inserts out and use the suitcase for your ordinary packing needs, as it is lightweight enough to serve as such.
Overall, the Vino-Voyage is a great, cost-effective wine bottle luggage carrier and is ideal for air travel because you won’t have to worry about the weight limit. It is a good contender for the best wine travel suitcase on the market.
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T.Z. Case International 7-Bottle Wheeled Wine Case
The TZ Case International 7 Bottle Wheeled Wine Case is smaller than the other bags in this list that we recommend for air travel, but it is no less of a contender for the best wine carrier. This rugged piece of luggage is shaped like a briefcase and is well-padded with foam inserts for you to place your bottles in. Made of sturdy polypropylene, this case is designed specifically for wine bottles, unlike the first two cases on this list.
Unlike the other two cases we’ve looked at so far, the TZ Case International has a pressure release valve and is water-resistant. It also lacks built-in locks, necessitating the purchase of TSA-approved locks. You can also buy luggage straps to make sure the case really stays closed. A nice feature of this case is that it has an O-ring around the opening so that when it is closed, the o-ring provides a tight seal to prevent leakage in the unlikely event that a bottle breaks inside the case.
The case makes it look that it’s holding something valuable, which means that the TSA and airport crew are more likely than not to handle the case with extreme care, minimizing the chances that your bottles will be rough-housed during transit.
Overall, this somewhat intimidating-looking case is a sturdy, economical option for people who don’t need to carry more than 7 bottles of wine at a time and prioritize having an airtight seal on their wine cases.
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CasePro CP-WINE-12B 12 Bottle Wine Carrier
The CasePro CP-WINE-12B 12 Bottle Wine Carrier is shaped like a traditional drink cooler, with 12 spaces for bottles of any shape and space for corkscrews and aerators. This case is airtight and watertight and comes with thermal insulation to keep your bottles at a set temperature, which is sure to keep them from chilling in the cargo hold.
This case is intended for wine professionals, with a handy pocket for storing any brochures and business material you need to carry with you. The case is extremely durable and will easily survive bumps and jolts.
There are 5 latches to close the case and 2 latches that you can put TSA-approved padlocks on, which provides much greater security than the other cases on this list. This comes with the caveat of weight. The CasePro clocks in at 24lbs when it’s empty and will weigh about 65lbs with a full load of 12, 750ml bottles. Unlike the VinGardeValise, this case cannot store magnum bottles, so consider one of the other cases on this list if you often carry wines that come in magnum bottles or larger bottles.
This case is the priciest of all the cases we recommend for air travel, but it’s guaranteed to protect your bottles and is our top pick for professionals. If you need a long-lasting case for professional trips, You don’t need to look further than this.
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Best Wine Tote Bag
If you want bags suitable for ground travel, then you might want to consider a tote bag that carries a few bottles. Here are our top picks.
Tirrinia 4 Bottle Wine Tote Carrier (and 2 bottle carrier)
The Tirrinia 2 bottle tote and 4 bottle tote are some of the most elegant wine carrier cases that can store two or four bottles, depending on which option you pick. It’s perfect for a day out when you want to bring a few chilled bottles of your favorite vintage with you, regardless of the event. Or, you can bring back bottles from your trip to local vineyards.
They come in a number of different colors, and the classy exterior hides insulation and lining that keep your bottles well protected and keep the tote from getting messy if your bottle happens to leak. The interior is divided so your bottles don’t knock into each other, and there’s a handy little space for storing a corkscrew in the inside of the lid.
Since the compartments aren’t shaped specifically for wine bottles and you can collapse the dividers, you can get away with storing whatever you like in the case as long as it fits. Even a magnum bottle or two can fit in if you insert them at a slant, although the bag isn’t tall enough to hold them when fully upright.
It has a comfy, padded shoulder strap that makes carrying the tote around hassle-free, and it can be adjusted to fit your needs. The dual zippers on the lid can actually be locked together with small luggage locks if you need to.
Overall, this tote is a classy, sturdy option for taking bottles with you to picnics, concerts, or wherever you like, and it doesn’t hurt your wallet.
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Wine Enthusiast 6-Bottle Wine Bag
The Wine Enthusiast 6-bottle wine bag is a larger tote meant for longer trips, like weekend getaways. It is a rugged-looking bag, made of waxed canvas that is pretty water-resistant, and has a nice, wide shoulder strap to distribute the weight of six bottles a bit better. There’s also a shorter handle on top to carry it in your hand as well.
This bag is taller than the Tirrinia tote, so storing several magnum bottles won’t be a problem. It’s well-padded like all the other options we’ve looked at so far, which is more than adequate to protect your bottles. The compartments are made using Velcro-attached dividers, allowing you to customize the interior to suit bottles of different shapes and sizes. It has a neat little pouch on the front that you can put corkscrews and even small plates in.
It comes with a reusable ice pack for transporting pre-chilled wine, however, the inbuilt insulation may be enough most of the time.
All in all, the tote is exactly what you pay for – a sturdily built wine carrier that can easily carry 6 bottles of varied sizes and keeps them well-protected, all while looking great.
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The OPUX Premium tote bag is a sleek, insulated tote bag that can hold up to 6 bottles. The folding divider inside the bag is removable and adjustable, so you can either use the bag as a general-purpose carrier, or carry bottles and maybe a wine glass or two. It’s tall enough to fit 750ml bottles, but won’t hold magnums or champagne bottles. The bag itself has a pleasant fabric exterior, padded handles for carrying the bag in your hand, and a well-padded shoulder strap.
The bag’s insulation is adequate to keep your bottles cool for a few hours, especially if you put the dividers in the freezer for a bit before you pack your bottles. It’s not very stiff, but it will still protect your bottles just fine.
Overall, the bag is a good option for a portable travel bag, and it won’t hurt your wallet.
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Best Leather Wine Carrier
Leather wine carriers are premium options, best suited to settings where a canvas or fabric bag might look out of place. They are much more expensive than any of the other bags we’ve looked at so far, but they are luxe and classy, and no less functional.
Piel Leather Double Deluxe Wine Carrier
The Piel Leather Double Deluxe is a luxe wine tote that can carry two bottles while looking very elegant. It is carefully crafted out of high-quality Columbian leather and has a water-resistant inner lining. It has room for a slim bottle opener inside. The case has a magnetic closure with a strong magnet that won’t pop open easily.
This tote is a perfect option for the discerning wine enthusiast who values appearances and makes an excellent gift. It’s also perfect for restaurants with a BYOB option and is cheaper than the other leather options on this list.
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Wine Enthusiast 3-Bottle Leather BYO Wine Bag
The Wine Enthusiast BYO Wine Bag is a beautiful large wine carrier made of high-quality brown leather with an aged look. It has three padded slots for wine bottles, and a larger main pocket that can be used to store whatever you want, including extra bottles if you place them carefully. The velcro dividers allow you to adjust the pocket sizes in case you want to carry different sizes and shapes of bottles.
Bottles are very well protected but you can also remove the dividers if you want and back one bottle in with a few other items that you may need for a picnic or some clothes for a weekend away. A zippered pocket is located on the back of the bag, and another is located under the flap. There is enough space in them for a small notebook.
The leather shoulder strap is padded to keep you comfortable while you carry it.
This bag, like the Piel, oozes class and elegance, and doesn’t skimp on quality, from the craftsmanship to the quality of protection it offers your bottles.
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Tilvini Leather 2 Bottle Insulated Wine Bag And Tumblers
The Tilvini Leather wine bag is a luxe, yet sturdy wine tote made of fine soft leather and suede lining under the flap. The shoulder strap is adjustable and removable if you only want to carry it by its top handle.
It comes with two stainless steel wine tumblers and space for two standard size wine bottles. It’s a tall bag, and can easily fit at least one magnum bottle and the two tumblers as the bottle divider is removable. There’s a large zippered storage pocket on the rear of the tote. The glasses themselves have lids. The bag is well insulated and will easily keep your bottles cool. This bag is perfect for keeping bottles cool, and the tumblers are excellent for settings where wine glasses aren’t the most practical option.
This bag is superior to the other options we’ve looked at purely for its better insulation, but it is also the most expensive.
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Picnic Wine Carrier Case
KOVOT 9 Piece Wine Travel Bag and Picnic Set
The KOVOT Wine Bag and Picnic Set is a tall, feature-rich picnic bag for 2 that is beyond the competition. It comes with acrylic wine glasses, wine glass stakes, cloth napkins, a corkscrew, and a bottle stopper, all elegant and useful.
The main compartment of the bag is very well-insulated and can hold two bottles of wine. The front pouch has elastic loops to store the glasses and the accessories, and the handles are cut into the bag itself for easy carrying.
This bag is excellent for taking to the beach – that’s what the stakes are intended for. They will keep your glasses balanced and they won’t tip over.
This is by far the best picnic wine case you can get, and for everything that you get, it’s well worth the price.
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We hope this article will help you find the wine carrier tote or luggage bag to best suit your needs, and that the information we provided helps you make the right choice for yourself.