When summer arrives in full swing, so do warmer days—and with them, the importance of thoughtful wine shipping. From our cellar to your doorstep, every bottle deserves to arrive in perfect condition. That’s why we offer temperature-controlled shipping to help protect the integrity of our wines during the hottest months of the year. In this guide, we’re answering your most common questions about how it works, why it matters, and how it helps ensure that what you pour at home tastes just as intended.
What is temperature-controlled shipping?
Temperature-controlled shipping is the safest and most reliable way to ship fine wine during the warmer months. By maintaining a stable temperature from our cellar to your doorstep, it helps protect against extreme heat and temperature fluctuations, ensuring every bottle arrives in optimal condition.
Why does temperature matter when shipping wine?
Wine is highly sensitive to heat, and summer temperatures inside standard delivery trucks can exceed 90°F. Excess heat can flatten aromas, alter flavor, and affect a wine’s aging potential. Temperature-controlled shipping helps protect against these extremes, ensuring every bottle arrives exactly as intended.
How does temperature-controlled shipping work?
With temperature-controlled shipping, your wines travel from our Napa Valley warehouse in a refrigerated truck to a regional carrier hub, minimizing exposure to extreme temperatures along the way. For the final leg of delivery, cooling packs are added to help maintain a stable temperature and ensure your bottles arrive in optimal condition.
How long will shipping take?
Because temperature-controlled shipping follows a specialized transport schedule, it may take a bit longer than standard ground shipping. Our refrigerated trucks depart Napa each Friday and travel across the country before being transferred for final delivery. While transit times are extended, this added care helps protect your wines from extreme temperatures and ensures they arrive in the best possible condition.
Is temperature-controlled shipping optional?
Our Customer Service team carefully monitors weather conditions nationwide and evaluates each order individually. When temperatures pose a risk, we automatically upgrade shipments to temperature-controlled transport to protect your wines—so you can feel confident your order is handled with the utmost care.
Are there additional fees for temperature-controlled shipping?
Temperature-controlled shipping typically costs slightly more than standard ground service. However, the added protection and peace of mind are well worth the investment, ensuring your wines arrive safely and as intended.
