thanks for all the replies!! Everyone has been very helpful. I plan on buying most of the wine on the last two days of our trip so I won't have to lug it everywhere (because sure wont' be carrying anything :) )

we just got back from italy. i had previously checked with customs at JFK about bringing wine back and as long as it was checked i was under the assumption my husband and i were each allowed a case. we got to customs, had 18 bottles, spent only $735, and was sent over to see the inspector....for having 18 bottles. he did not care to even hear that i had asked prior to flying out of the country. we went over to see the inspector, he looked at our sheet, said $735; is that what you spent?! we said yes. he said that is nothing, i'm not going to do anything, you folks have a good day. he sent us on our way and after we got down the hall, the older gentleman helping us with our luggage told us that we got lucky- he was a rookie! whatever it was, i was just happy to get our wine home, and i think as custom inspectors go....just pray that yours is having a good day!!!

burdgee, even if you had to pay customs on the 16 bottles (2 duty free), I doubt it would have come to more than $10. More trouble for them to do the paperwork. ((b))

Thanks for all the good info about bringing wine back. I was pretty sure I could bring back a bottle or two but was unaware you could bring more and possibly (hopefully not) pay a duty and excess. I've brought back a few cases of Cubans in recent years but I thought a case of wine may be a little more noticeable in the suitcase!

dorkforcemom - how much was it to ship your case of wine back to the states and to where? My DH says wants to judt ship wine home on our next trip, but I thought this was really expensive. And do you know if you can ship for personal use to all states. I am in NY.

i would like the answer to that question as well. i am also in ny and i know we have real strict regulations about importing wine. we would like to get a case while touring tuscany but from there we are going on to milan and venice and i hate the idea of lugging a case of wine around with me.

if i can't ship it back to ny does anyone know if the winery can ship it to our final hotel in venice? from there its just dragging it to the airport and i am sure we can do that!

I'll look on my credit card bill to see how much the exact cost was - it was May 2006. We live in Texas...will get back with you on the exact info soon.

I am not so sure that you cannot ship it to New York; the regulations here have changed fairly recently. If the winery is willing to ship out of the country I cannot imagine that they would not be willing to ship to your hotel in Venice.

1) is there any wineries close enough to Rome for a day trip by train/taxi?

Casteli Romani Area "Frascati"

http://www.acquabuona.it

Here is a winery in Frascati that offers tastings, tours, and overnight stays.

http://www.tenutadipietraporzia.it/t...ccoglienza.htm

Job & Randola - I'm sorry for the delay in answering your question. I had to dig through paperwork to find the copy of the credit card receipt. We paid $738 for a case (12 bottles) of the most exquisite brunello ever...

Yes, I know it was expenive. They are bottles not found here and this was after extensive tasting. I still have a few bottles left in my wine refrigerator...will savor soon! Hope this helps. In addition, they arrived about 10 days after purchase fully intact.

That's not bad for that much Brunello! I wish I had brought home more!