Shipping

Next-level shipping at WINE DECODED™

🌏International Shipping✈️

Index

Our Wine Specialist Courier
What are the shipping costs?
Is there a cost to re-deliver?
Do you offer express shipping?
How long will it take for my wine to arrive?
Can I track my wine?
Do you deliver to my address?
Can I change my delivery address?
What is your Heat Policy?
Can I specify a delivery day or time?
Can you call on approach?
Do I have to be home to receive my wine?
Setting up a place to leave your wine?
Do you deliver to Australia Post facilities?
Can I pick-up my wine?
Is my wine covered by insurance?

Our Wine Specialist Courier ☝︎ Index

Climate Controlled Shipping! Yeah Baby!

I am absolutely stoked that we are now shipping to Adelaide Metro, Melbourne Metro, some of Melbourne regional, Sydney Metro, Byron Bay & Brisbane Metro using a wonderful partnership with a Wine Specialist courier, Anonymous Wine Freight.

Wine will ship in refrigerated trucks at wine cellar temp to climate-controlled wine store’s in each metro area before they make their way for the last kilometers to your mouth!

List of Areas Covered

Over time the areas we can ship to with Stu & Fleur will grow. We’ll update the list as it changes.

Stu & Fleur have worked in wine for decades, they love the gear we love.

I’m stoked to be working with them to get wine to you in the best possible shape!

With the ability to offer more specific delivery instructions and actually, have them followed. They’ll even call you by phone if needed, we will be able to extend the period of the year we can safely ship wine to you.

As always we’ll apply a common-sense approach to heat to ensure your wines are not placed at risk.

What are the shipping costs? ☝︎ Index

Delivery is calculated in the shopping cart based on your order and delivery address. The following will give you an idea of pricing.

It’s hard to cover every area with a summary. You’ll be able to see the full cost of any shipping in the cart prior to payment.

Remote Areas – Shipping cost adjustment may be required

Australia’s a bloody big country. We can ship wine almost anywhere. We use a number of carriers to keep costs down and service levels up. Sometimes this means that shipping costs to remote areas are much higher than anticipated. If this is the case we will get in touch to either organise an alternative shipping address or payment at cost of any additional charges.

Glassware is calculated independently due to the need for additional packaging.

3D Maps due to their fragile nature shipping of these is restricted to areas covered by our Wine Specialist Courier.

Melbourne Metro Areas

1-6 Bottles: $12, 7-12 Bottles: $16, 13-18 Bottles: $28, 19-24 Bottles: $32, 25-30 Bottles: $44, 31-36 Bottles: $48, 37-42 Bottles: $60, 43-48 Bottles: $64, 5 doz+ $12/doz

Sydney 

1-6 Bottles: $16, 7-12 Bottles: $18, 13-18 Bottles: $34, 19-24 Bottles: $36, 25-30 Bottles: $52, 31-36 Bottles: $54, 37-42 Bottles: $70, 43-48 Bottles: $72, 5 doz+ $16/doz

Adelaide

Courier – No insurance coverage

$16 per 12 bottles or part there of.

1-12 Bottles: $16, 13-24 Bottles: $32, 25-36 Bottles: $48, 37-48 Bottles: $64

Wine Specialist Courier

1-6 Bottles: $18, 7-12 Bottles: $20, 13-18 Bottles: $38, 19-24 Bottles: $40, 25-30 Bottles: $58, 31-36 Bottles: $60, 37-42 Bottles: $78, 43-48 Bottles: $80, 5 doz+ $18/doz

Brisbane

Wine Specialist Courier

1-6 Bottles: $20, 7-12 Bottles: $28, 13-18 Bottles: $48, 19-24 Bottles: $56, 25-30 Bottles: $76, 31-36 Bottles: $84, 37-42 Bottles: $104, 43-48 Bottles: $112, 5 doz+ $20/doz

Tasmania

Courier

1-6 Bottles: $16, 7-12 Bottles: $20, 13-18 Bottles: $25, 19-24 Bottles: $40, 25-30 Bottles: $45, 31-36 Bottles: $50, 37-42 Bottles: $65, 43-48 Bottles: $70

Remote Courier

1-6 Bottles: $27, 7-12 Bottles: $38, 13-18 Bottles: $49, 19-24 Bottles: $76, 25-30 Bottles: $98, 31-36 Bottles: $125, 37-42 Bottles: $136, 43-48 Bottles: $147

Extra Remoter Courier

1-6 Bottles: $40, 7-12 Bottles: $60, 13-18 Bottles: $80, 19-24 Bottles: $100, 25-30 Bottles: $125, 31-36 Bottles: $150, 37-42 Bottles: $175, 43-48 Bottles: $200

Perth

Courier 7-15 business days

1-12 Bottles: $22, 13-24 Bottles: $44, 25-36 Bottles: $66, 37-48 Bottles: $88

Pricing guidelines are based on 750ml bottles.

If large format bottles are included in the order shipping costs will be confirmed. After the order has been placed and additional payments will be required.

We use twice as much packaging to ship to WA and costs double to ship large format bottles.

Shipping to WA is delayed by heat between November to April.

Regional Areas $45 per 12 bottles or part there of.

1-12 Bottles: $45, 13-24 Bottles: $90, 25-36 Bottles: $135, 37-48 Bottles: $180

Do you offer express shipping? ☝︎ Index

Given the quality of wines we offer and our heat policy, there are some times of the year when we can’t ship wine safely.

Express shipping offers a guaranteed overnight delivery (from the time the wine is collected for shipping).

It’s not guaranteed cool, just minimum transit time.

Express shipping is an alternative during these times, particularly to WA and Queensland

You’ll find express shipping options, if available, displayed at checkout.

If an express shipping option isn’t available and you’d like your wine shipped by express please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 1300 811 066.

Is there a cost to re-deliver? ☝︎ Index

There will be a re-delivery charge:

• If you have not left instructions specifying restrictions to delivery timing and no one is present to receive your delivery.
• You have requested ‘Authority to Leave’ and the is no safe place protected from sunshine.
• The re-delivery fee is a small portion of the cost in time to re-schedule and delivery your order.

How long will it take for my wine to arrive? ☝︎ Index

General delivery timelines are below.

Most of the wine we sell is for cellaring, typically we do not rush to get it out the door. We prefer to pack it well and ship it when the conditions are good.

We have two storage facilities and will regularly need wine to be shipped from one to the other to pack for you.

We tend to ship in the first half of the week to minimise any weekend time during transit.

If you need something urgently please call us on 1300 811 066 to see if we can help. Additional charges may apply. We have added fields to our checkout forms for you to request urgent shipping.

A delivery estimate is provided with order tracking. This will give you an idea of how long parcels typically take to travel the route of your parcel. It’s important to know that this is not a guaranteed delivery date.

Melbourne Metro 3 to 5 days.

NSW, Queensland, SA & Tasmania Metro 4-7 days.

WA Metro 7-15 days.

Regional & Remote 7-21 days.

Can I track my wine? ☝︎ Index

This depends on the Courier. Our Wine Specialist Courier doesn’t currently offer tracking for customer. We can track your order with them.

All other Couriers typically have a unique tracking link which is emailed to you when your wine is first scanned as it is collected for delivery.

If you don’t have tracking information or need an update, please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 1300 811 066 for an update.

Do you deliver to my address? ☝︎ Index

We deliver Australia wide with the exception of the NT and the following Dry and Restricted Alcohol Areas:

Queensland: 4605 4713 4816 4825 4830 4871 4876 4895 4874

WA: 6798 6799 6770 6765 6718 6723 6725 6726 6728 6731 6733 6740 6743 6753 6761 6714 6720 6722

SA: 5680 5690

During checkout, you will be notified if we are unable to deliver to your address.

Can I change my delivery address? ☝︎ Index

If your wine has not already been collected for delivery we may be able to change your delivery address. Additional charges will apply only if the new delivery address has higher delivery costs.

Depending on the courier used you may be able to change your delivery address once your wine is in transit. An additional shipping fee will apply.

Contact us as soon as possible at [email protected] or call us on 1300 811 066 if you need to change your delivery address.

You can change the delivery address registered to your account at any time simply: Log into your account 👉🏻My Account 👉🏻Addresses 👉🏻Edit your Shipping Address 

What is your Heat Policy? ☝︎ Index

Wine Decoded cellars all of our wines in a climate controlled, cellar, environment.

All dispatched orders are treated with the utmost care.

During the warmer months, we reserve the right to hold orders, in instances of extreme heat, until there is a clear path of non-extreme temperatures between us and you.

All orders are picked and packed and resting in our cellar awaiting better conditions to send the wine.

You may request immediate delivery despite the heat (at your risk).

We will keep in constant contact with recipients but as a rule, unless specified we will hold rather than risk spoiling the wine.

We aim to keep wine temperature below 25℃ during transportation.

We take a proactive approach to minimising the risk of heat damage.

• We monitor weather at distribution point and destination for the period that transport typically takes from point a to point b.
• If extreme temperatures are likely we will delay shipping & wine will be stored in our climate controlled facility.
• We add international standard shipping labels instructing that the wine be protected from heat.
• Clear notes in large text are added, based on your instruction of where the package can be safely left. We’ll call you to confirm these if clarification is required.
• Wines will be packaged in insulated containers when appropriate.
• We will be testing our packaging using temperature data loggers inside and outside the package to determine it’s efficacy and modify as necessary. We’ll report back shortly.

What science tells us?

There are a number of factors that impact the end condition of wine after shipping.

The method used to make the wine.

• Styles like Madeira that are subjected to heat during ageing in Estufas will be impacted less.
• Wines that are exposed to greater oxidative handling during manufacturing.
• Wines that are heat/cold stabilised prior to bottling.
• The amount of sulphur added to the wine expressed as molecular sulphur.

The wine style – Young delicate, low sulphur whites vs robust reds.

The wine age – Young or old.

Wines that will be most impacted by heat are young, fresh whites, handled reductively during making and bottled with low sulphur.

The only factor we can control is exposure to heat during transport.

What we know:

• Within a certain range, temperature fluctuations are less important than accumulated heat units ie time x temperature. A 5hr increase in temperature by 10℃ (5hr x 10℃ = 50 units of heat) would have less impact that 100hr increase in temperature by 100hr increase in temperature by 2 (100hrs x 2℃ = 200 units of heat).
• Smaller, sustained, increases in temperature will simply result in slightly faster ageing of the wine.
• Larger, sustained, increases in temperature can result in chemical reactions that result in the wine being cooked, loss of flavour and aroma, pronounced tannins and acids, browning of white wines, loss of colour in reds, and, oxidation.
• Studies by Professor Cornelius Ough of the University of California suggest that wines can be exposed to temperatures as high as 49℃ for a few hours and not be damaged.
• The difficulty is that temperature increases result in expansion of the wine increasing pressure in bottle and potentially compromising the seal. A 10℃ increase will result in 2.5ml increase in the volume of a 750ml bottle of wine.
• We know that the rate of chemical reaction, effectively maturation, for bottled wine doubles with every 8-10℃ increase in temperature. This does not mean the wine is cooking simply that it is maturing faster.
• Lower sulphur wines will be impacted more significantly by temperature as chemical reactions in the bottle shift from being reductive (without the presence of oxygen) to oxidative (in the presence of oxygen).
• Optimal storage conditions rest between 10-20℃.

What we don’t know:

• Unfortunately, the scientific studies I have found did not run experiments at temperature ranges to help us clearly define acceptable maximum temperatures and period of time at those temperatures for the transport of wine to ensure we can avoid damaging it.
• It is very difficult for a consumer or expert to assess the impact of exposure to heat without a control. With experience, you can learn sensory indicators for a wine that has been ‘cooked’.

About Couriers in Australia

We use a Wine Specialist Courier that transports in air-conditioned vehicles where possible. They have been offering an exceptoinal service. Here’s the list of areas covered.

Regarding all other Couriers

• Courier companies are a hot topic (pun intended) amongst wineries and wine retailers.
• No matter which one you use there’s always a challenge at some point and their standards are constantly shifting up and down.
• As the Customer this is not your responsibility. If there are ever any problems we’ll take care of them.
• Courier fleets typically do not air condition the cargo hold of their vehicles.

Can I specify a delivery day or time? ☝︎ Index

Wine Specialist Courier

Our wine specialist will be able to deliver on a specific day with some restrictions depending on the end destination.

Add a note at checkout with your preferred day/days for delivery and we’ll confirm with you as needed.

They currently notify by text on the day they are delivering.

All other Couriers

For all other courier we can not provide a specific day or time for delivery. Tracking will be provided.

Our couriers deliver between the hours of 9am to 6pm weekdays excluding public holidays.

If you are worried no one will be able to receive your wine a great alternative is to have your wine delivered to a business address.

Can you call on approach? ☝︎ Index

When using our Wine Specialist courier if you have left a mobile phone number you will receive an SMS shortly before delivery. Most other couriers do not provide this service.

Do I have to be home to receive my wine? ☝︎ Index

No, but, if someone does receive your wine, they must be 18+ years old.

If you are a first-time customer in Victoria you will be required to sign for your first order. You can select ‘Authority to Leave’ for subsequent orders.

If no one is there to receive the wine our wine specialist will contact us to organise re-delivery. This will incur a redelivery fee.

Depending on the other courier they may leave a card for you to organise re-delivery or may leave your wine at a nearby collection point.

If your wine is left at a nearby collection point you’ll have up to 5 days to collect it before it is returned to us. Take your delivery card and photo ID with you when collecting your wine.

A great alternative is to have your wine delivered to a business address.

Setting up a place to leave your wine? ☝︎ Index

Consider setting up a space for your wine to be left safely.

It should be:

• Easy to access.
• Be in the shade for the whole day.
• Be out of view of porch pirates.
• Some customers have a sign ‘Please leave deliveries here’.
• Some leave an esky out.

Do you deliver to Australia Post facilities? ☝︎ Index

We can deliver to Post Offices, PO boxes, locked bags, parcel lockers or parcel collect locations.

However, an extra fee will apply as these are more expensive for us to deliver to and incur more labour costs.

A great alternative is to have your wine delivered to a business address.

If you pay for the additional PO Box+ service you can list the street address of the Post Office and use Suite Number instead of PO Box Number .

Can I pick-up my wine? ☝︎ Index

Unfortunately, our liquor licence does not allow customers to pick-up wine from our premises.

Is my wine covered by insurance? ☝︎ Index

We are currently working to improve our insurance model and will update this section when this occurs. If you have anything you would like us to consider please contact us and let us know.

When are you covered?

When your wine is received and signed for by you or your authorised representative.

When you are NOT covered?

If you give permission for your wine to be left unattended (authority to leave) and it has been stolen or damaged after delivery. This includes heat damage due to being left in the sun.

If the option to use our Wine Specialist Courier is provided and you choose to use any other courier.

How much coverage is provided?

If you use our Wine Specialist Courier the first $1,000 of your shipment will be covered.

Our Wine Specialist Courier offers insurance above $1,000 at a cost of 1.1% of your order total.

What is covered?

Order that have been lost, stolen or broken in transit.