We expect to purchase 3 or 4 cases of wine from different vineyards and would like to gather these on our own and then ship them out of Santa Barbara at the end of our trip. We do live in a state that can receive shipments from CA. My question is is there a place in Santa Barbara or Paso Robles that we could by the shipping boxes for wine and then take them to UPS to ship?

denice7: In my experience the wineries have always provided the shipping boxes and do it for you. However, I've done this just calling and hving them ship things to contacts of mine in other states... not going through the tasting room. I would imagine if you call a few of the wineries you're planning to visit that they'd tell you what you need to know.

Are you trying to have the wine NOT arrive until you get home? They will work with you on that, I'm sure.

Thank you...I am trying to ship a case at a time and am concerned that I might just buy 3 bottles at 1 winery, 2 at another, etc. I thought it would be better to have 4 boxes arriving at my house versus 12 to 15. When we do purchase 12 from the same vineyard we will have them shipped from vineyard but I am more concerned about the 1 or 2 bottles here and there.

I see... in any case, I believe the wineries will be willing to pack it for you and let you go. The ones I'm familiar with are the shipping boxes that hold two bottles... I'm not sure what all is available. Good Luck!

I understand your dilema. I'm wondering the same thing when we revisit Sonoma. Our interest in wine has increase since our last visit.

The staff in the tasting rooms of Santa Barbara and Paso Robles are usually very helpful and friendly, that they may be abe to answer your question. Often when we are buy more than 3 bottles at one winery, they offer to give us a box. And due to the liquid rules on planes these days, most wineries will offer to wrap your purchase for shipping. Perhaps, explain your situation that you would like to add to the box and they'll give you a case size box. Or you can purchase one from there.

However, I do think there is a law that consumers can't ship wine. Or at least *declare* that it's alcohol.

Do a little internet research. It does look like consumer-to-consumer shipping of wine may not be legal (FedEx doesn't permit it, nor does USPS). The changes in the law following the Supreme Court case a few years ago had to do with winery-to-consumer shipping and retailer-to-consumer shipping.

Denise,

I know the case shippers you mean. I have two of them. Styrofoam cubes with cut outs for 12 bottles (fit most bottles, but not all!)w/ cardboard box to match.

I bought mine from a good wine store in Orange, CA, but I'm sure you could find them in Santa Barbara area before you head out to wine country. I'd do a search for wine store/merchants in SB.

I shipped some home to myself from CA via Fed Ex. No problem.

Only properly licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers or licensed importers may ship wine via FedEx services. Consumers may not ship wine or alcohol of any type via FedEx services.

The above is quoted from the FedEx website.