VinGardeValise Wine Travel Suitcase - 12 Bottle - Version 04 Grande (Black)

I'm not unsatisfied with this wine luggage in any major way, but have some comments and suggestions that may be of help to others, and maybe to the manufacturer as well if they're listening. My wife and I just did a round-trip with this case. We packed a few wine bottles, large beer bottles, and some balsamic vinegar as gifts to a family member on the outbound leg.1. When we arrived at our destination and retrieved the bag from the luggage belt, I heard bottles rattling around against each other (uh-oh!). Upon opening, some wine bottles had come loose on one side of the case. Fortunately, nothing was broken. We learned that it's extremely important to pack the case tight, using clothing or some sort of other relatively light-weight filler in the middle of the clamshell between the two sections of the case. The flexibility of the case itself, the flexibility of the foam inserts, and the flexibility of the insert covers are just enough to make room for bottles to come loose. The solution? On the return trip, we packed the case using a couple of light jackets in between the clamshells. The case was loaded with bottles for our return and there were no further issues with that. The manufacturer should consider providing an additional foam piece that can be inserted between the clamshell sections, tightening the load and preventing bottles from coming loose.2. I like the fact that this luggage has the appearance of being nothing more than average baggage. The fact that wine bottles are packed inside is really no one's business except mine.3. The handles can be a little cumbersome to deal with because each side of the clamshell has half of a handle. It would be best if the handles had a design where they snapped together, forming a single, more obvious handle. I've seen more than one airline check-in agent struggle with figuring out how to pick up the bag -- is it one handle or two, and how do I pick it up? A handle design may be a great place to provide openings for a padlock, as well as keep the handles together.4. The zippers can get caught on something and slide around. When I retrieved the bag at one location, the zipper was slightly open. Suggest that the zipper closures have some sort of means of securing them -- including, if possible, the use of a TSA-approved padlock (unless padlocks are on the handles, see suggestion (3) above). If TSA wants to get into the bag -- fine, I've got nothing to hide. But to anyone else there's no reason to make the bag so easy to fiddle with and get into.5. This bag solved an issue for us (how to bring wine back home), but I was nervous about the price. For the money spent, I hope this lasts over time. I've spent less on luggage and had lifetime warranties included (Eagle Creek).Hope this is helpful!

Beyond disappointed. The wheel compartment completely shattered the second time we used it. The seller refuses to help with the item as it is past the 30 day purchase. Suitcases only get used periodically and for them to refuse to help is deplorable. Do not buy from Portmantos. They told me to contact the manufacturer but didn't even tell me who the manufacturer was. I have had other suitcases for over 30 years. This was a complete waste of money.

I liked it and it worked well the first time, but the foam on one half completely deformed on the second use. Now that half is useless as a bottle holder.No problem with strength of exterior or wheels. The arm used to drag it doesn't feel particularly strong, but it didn't present a problem.Rather than purchasing a second one, I bought a Wine Check and have been very happy with it.

This is the first product I've found that is great for wine or beer. It would be good to make different inserts to carry jars also. It snuggly packs a full case of wine and as advertised still comes out under 50 lbs. weight! I recently brought a full case from California to Hawaii with no problems at all! When traveling with less then a case of wine it is easy to use the extra space for clothing and other things. Last year I went to Germany and brought back a number of fragile items I needed to carry on planes, this suitcase would have protected them all with no problems! For the price it can't be beat!

I like the suitcase a lot, but they really need some kind of guide as to how the inserts fit in the suitcase (b/c it can be configured in a number of different ways, included with the purchase. They don't have anything on the site, and when I posted a question with photos to their facebook page, they never posted the question or photo with a response. There are 3 inserts that are supposed to fit together, but it would stand to reason that the center insert would be squared off on all corners, to perfectly match the inserts on either side, instead all of the inserts have one side curved, so there's an open space, rather than it all aligning. We also received 3 foam panels - it fits under the inserts on one side, but on the other side, the foam panel underneath makes the inserts stand up too high (one side is deeper than the other). So I'm not sure if we're putting it together wrong, if that panel is suppose to go over the top, etc. We've used it once, not filled to capacity (maybe 4 bottles and we have the 12 bottle suitcase), and it worked well.

These are great. And, with 750 ml bottles, the full case is always just under 50 lbs - airlines limits before charging more. The wines are well protected and after many uses I've found they always arrive safe and sound. Just follow the directions and it works as advertised.

The VinGarde cases are expensive but worth it. Fantastic padding for your bottles, straps to hold everything in place internally, two big straps around the outside and a durable zipper. The case rolls very well when full of wine. It appears to be robustly constructed for durability, unlike some of the other wine carriers I have seen.Can be used to transport up to 12 bottles but you can also take out some of the bottle padding and use the case to haul lesser quantities of wine along with your other clothing / travel gear. It's not like you need to haul 12 bottles on a long weekend trip.

This works great. We took several bottles to our timeshare in Cabo, and we were so happy to have "our" wine - wines we trusted, wines we enjoyed, wines that we could easily pair with our meals. Well worth the trouble when you are a wine connoisseur.

Super, easy, convenient, efficient, safe.I have purchased several for my friends as they all want to get their own, and they love it!

Great wine traveling suitcase, though the inserts are not cut exactly to the size of thus suitcase. Bought the additional inserts for larger bottles and for wine glasses as well.

Great product, amazingly sturdy turning transporting wine so safe and trouble free. Really recommend it.

I thought the bottles would be more secure in this suitcase, but every time we come back from a trip and open up the case, some of the bottles have slipped out of the bottle...

I have used this suitcase every month for over a year. I have not had a single issue. I have even brought home a case of champagne.

yes, it's a bit pricey, but it is ten times better than the crappy square ones. so much easier to move around with, smaller, and absolutely more secure.

In theory works great. The straps broke right away and a wheel broke soon thereafter. Also the zipper handles broke right away.

After my first travel one of the wheel side already went in(broke) and one other side also has problems.Very weak suitcase to travel using conventional airline companies.

The case is exactly as advertised. We had a problem with the piece that holds the strap in place. It broke when we travelled.

Over 40 flights already with this beast. Fantastic for beer traders!