Wine refrigeration and transport

Abstract

A system and method of transporting wine includes packaging bottles of wine in an insulated container having a cold pack. The containers are transported in an insulated carrier from a winery or warehouse to an intermediate location, such as a warehouse or overnight carrier, and then transported to the intended recipient, such as a residence, a wine wholesaler, or a wine retailer, by uninsulated overnight carrier. The thermal properties of the container are chosen to keep the wine below a target temperature even if the overnight carrier is unsuccessful in delivering the wine on a first try.

1 . A method of controlling temperature of a plurality of wine shipments during transport, comprising the steps of:
 a. packaging bottled wine in a plurality of packaging systems, each packaging system including (i) a compartment for holding the bottled wine, (ii) thermal insulation between the wine bottle compartment and the ambient atmosphere, and (iii) a cold pack, wherein the packaging system is adapted to maintain the wine bottle compartment between 40 and 80 degrees F. for up to 72 hours after release from release of the refrigerated container where local temperatures are 110 degrees F. or less;   b. transporting the plurality of packaging systems by a refrigerated truck to an intermediate location; and   c. after the transporting step b., transporting the wine in the packaging system by un-refrigerated trucks to predetermined end recipients.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  whereby the insulation and cold pack are capable of maintaining the wine below a predetermined temperature for one unsuccessful delivery cycle by the unrefrigerated truck. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the end recipient is a residence, a wine wholesaler, or a wine retailer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the packaging system is adapted to maintain the wine bottle compartment between 45 degrees and 65 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the packaging system is adapted to maintain the wine bottle compartment between 45 degrees and 65 degrees for between 24 and 48 hours. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the unrefrigerated truck is an overnight carrier. 
     
     
         7 . A system for controlling temperature of a plurality of wine shipments during transport, comprising:
 a plurality of packaging system, each packaging system including (i) a compartment for holding the bottled wine, (ii) thermal insulation between the wine bottle compartment and the ambient atmosphere, and (iii) a cold pack, wherein the packaging system is adapted to maintain the wine bottle compartment between 40 and 80 degrees F. for up to 72 hours after release from release of the refrigerated container where local temperatures are 110 degrees F. or less;   a refrigerated truck for transporting the plurality of packaging systems to an intermediate location; and   an unrefrigerated truck for transporting the packaging systems to predetermined end recipients.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  whereby the insulation and cold pack are capable of maintaining the wine below a predetermined temperature for one unsuccessful delivery cycle by the unrefrigerated truck. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the end recipient is a residence, a wine wholesaler, or a wine retailer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the packaging system is adapted to maintain the wine bottle compartment between 45 degrees and 65 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the packaging system is adapted to maintain the wine bottle compartment between 45 degrees and 65 degrees for between 24 and 48 hours. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the unrefrigerated truck is an overnight carrier.