From the earliest days of history, when the first human accidentally fermented a grape, people have enjoyed drinking wine. 

The first signs of winemaking were discovered in Georgia and date back 8,000 years. Transporting the nectar over land and sea has proved an ongoing challenge since then.

How was wine originally packaged and transported?

The original vintners and vignerons used handmade pottery to age, store and transport their wines. Beeswax-coated earthenware and ceramics called amphorae with handles and narrow necks were used to carry the liquid. 

Wooden barrels were later introduced, originating in Central Europe and expanding across the world via the Roman Empire. 

Tuns, a type of barrel holding approximately 250 gallons, were used to transport wine in bulk across waterways and seas. But they proved too heavy for most land transport, and smaller versions were used instead.

Now, bulk transportation of wine over long distances is often done using plastic bladders. The idea was first conjured up by Australian winemakers, who were the first to bag wine and place it in a cardboard box. 

The plastic is lighter than wooden barrels or glass and less prone to breakage. However, it still gets decanted into glass bottles for sale when it reaches its destination.

When was the glass wine bottle introduced?

The first recognisable glass bottle with a cork was introduced in the 17th century and was handmade, blown glass. It also proved quite fragile for transport over distance. 

Technological advances in glass production in the 19th century meant that more robust bottles could be produced in regular sizes with thickened bases. Invented by Rickets of Bristol, these are the modern 750ml bottles we see today. 

Despite this advance, drinking laws meant bottled wine was not common in the UK until after 1860. The introduction of the Single Bottle Act in 1961 meant that wine could be bought by the bottle and taken off premises.

However, there was still the issue of transporting the wine bottles safely to avoid spillages and breakages. 

How were glass bottles transported?

 Shipping of bottles used to be in custom-made wooden crates, often lined with straw as padding to prevent damage. This was the most common method used until the early 1900s. 

That was when thick cardboard boxes began to be mass-produced; they were used as a lighter-weight and cheaper alternative to wood. 

The corrugated cardboard packaging was usually designed to hold the standard UK case size of a dozen 750ml bottles. The number was chosen as it equates to two gallons, the shipping size preferred by English vintners. 

The size of cases also helped efficiency and the stability of the boxes. Inserts divided the box, providing a regular-sized slot for each bottle in a four-by-three grid, or two-by-three for a half case.

By the end of World War II, all but the most prestigious winemakers packed and shipped their bottles in cardboard. Today, six or twelve-bottle cases are common for retailers and wholesalers to transport. 

Wine delivered by the case or by the bottle

Wine lovers are not restricted to ordering their tipple to be delivered by the barrel or the case. Individual bottles can now be delivered in wine bottle shipping boxes using parcel post services. 

Bottle packaging can be tailored to the needs of the customer, with options for a half case of six, four, three or two bottles. 

The wine can be kept safe with inserts for each bottle that hold the glass in place so that they don’t rattle against each other. 

Domestic deliveries of gifts to wine-lovers' homes mean that single-bottle packaging is required. These are double-layered with an external box and an internal cardboard support to prevent damage in transit. 

How did winemakers use branded packaging?

More ancient winemakers may have initialled their earthenware. Some of the earliest vessels used for wine were found with grapes shaped into the clay. 

Before the advent of corrugated cardboard packaging, winemakers would have stencilled or hot-ironed their vineyard name on the side of wooden crates. It was a way to show the quality and the authenticity of the product. 

In modern times, branding is simpler and easier to achieve. Cardboard can be printed in bulk with bespoke designs and logos with multiple colours and finishes. 

How custom printed packaging can help your business

Custom shipping boxes can provide greater brand awareness as well as protection for the bottle inside. 

Each gift box sent is an opportunity for a potential customer to see the brand. It can also highlight features of the product and help it stand out among competitors. 

It allows you to speak directly to the needs and expectations of the customer. For example, if you are selling a premium wine, then the wine should be packaged in a premium-branded package. 

Adding your own artwork to shipping packaging shows attention to detail and a professional approach. It can also improve brand trust and the perceived authenticity of the product. 

Wine bottle packaging should not only be functional, it is also a valuable marketing tool for your business.