As a Napa Valley winery, one of the questions we get most often this time of year is, “Is it safe to ship wine in the summer?” The short answer? Yes – as long as we do it smartly.

Wine is a living, delicate thing, and summer heat can be tough on bottles in transit. But with a little planning and care, we can make sure your wines arrive in perfect condition, no matter how high the temperatures climb.

Here are the top 5 things you should know about shipping wine in the summer:

1. Heat Is the Biggest Risk to Your Wine

When wine gets too hot – especially over 80°F for a sustained period – it can get “cooked”, so we do everything we can to protect against it. (You’ll know it’s “cooked” if the cork has pushed out of the bottle a bit, or is leaking.)

What we do: We monitor temps closely and avoid shipping during extreme heat.

2. Temperature-Controlled Shipping Is Your Best Friend

During the warmer months, we offer temperature-controlled shipping to many parts of the country. These special trucks keep your wine cool the whole way – from our cellar to your doorstep.

Our advice: If you see this option at checkout, always choose it. It’s the most reliable way to ship in summer.

3. Timing Is Everything

To avoid your wine getting stuck in a hot warehouse or truck over the weekend, we only ship early in the week (Monday–Wednesday). This gives your wine the best chance of arriving quickly and safely.

Also, be extra conscious of the emailed shipping confirmation and track your shipment closely. Many problems are due to recipients not being home at the time of delivery, which can mean the carrier will keep the package in their hot truck all day until another delivery attempt is made the following day.

Pro tip: Avoid placing orders right before a holiday or late in the week if you need it by a certain time. If you can’t avoid it, please email us at [email protected] or text 707-968-9418.

4. Cold Packs and Insulated Boxes Help – But Only for Short Trips

If you’re nearby or we’re using express shipping, we may add cold packs or insulated packaging to your order. These help keep your bottles cool during that last mile. But they’re only effective for shorter timeframes.

Good to know: If you’re more than 2–3 days away by ground, we’ll likely recommend a different shipping method.

5. We’ll Gladly Hold Your Wine Until It’s Safe to Ship

If it’s just too hot, we’ll give you the option to hold your wine until temperatures cool down. We store all wine in our temperature-controlled cellar until the weather is right.

Bottom line: We’d rather delay your shipment a few days than risk sending you wine that’s been damaged.

Our Promise to You

We take your wine – and your experience – seriously. If you ever have questions about shipping or timing, just reach out. We’re happy to help you choose the best option based on your location and the weather in your area. During the summer we review the shipping selection made on all orders, and will contact you if we feel there should be a change in method of shipping.

Wine is meant to be enjoyed, not worried over. We’ll take care of the details so you can relax, pour a glass, and enjoy every last drop.