OK, here's a tip we wanted to share with everyone. Costco lets customers take their empty wooden wine boxes just like you can take the empty boxes they have piled high by the check outs.
Sometimes you will find wooden wine boxes among those empty cardboard boxes, but most of the time you will have to look in the aisles for wines that are shipped and displayed in the wooden boxes.
And then hope you get lucky enough to find an empty one (or near empty one of course, I'm guilty of moving a couple bottles to another box).
We can't be 100% positive that every Costco does this. But we've asked staff at two Costcos near us, and they said when the boxes are empty they're up for grabs.
- Editor
carrie says
I called the Costco in Green Bay WI , and they no longer do this. They said all of there items are in cardboard now.
Ski Shadow says
My Costco in Houston (Galleria), has a separate but attached liquor store. I asked the manager for a crate and she pulled out a beautiful wooden hinged crate (single row of bottles). You indeed have to ask, as it was not visible from the aisle. Now...what do with this...it's nice as it is.
admin says
Glad that worked out. Not a bad problem to have.
Linda Bramlett says
I am not a drinker at all but would like to try a little red wine in the evening. I need a fruity almost grape juice flavor. Does Costco have a nice smooth one i should try?
admin says
That's a tough one. I would try a Merlot, or a Pinot Noir. Here's our Merlot reviews (haven't reviewed many lately, need to) http://costcowineblog.com//category/merlot/ and here are our Pinot reviews: http://costcowineblog.com//category/pinot-noir/. The Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot is a particular standout ($20), and the Kirkland Pinots are usually a good buy for less.
Sandy Hemphill says
Look for a ruby port, Linda. The alcohol content of fortified wines (such as port) is higher than regular wine so your Costco store may sell fortified wines in its liquor store, depending on your local state liquor laws.
Also, since the alcohol content is higher, a little goes a long way. Port may cost a little more than many wines but you probably won't drink as much during an evening as you might a regular red wine.
Port is really good for deglazing pans when cooking meats and it adds a nice depth of flavor to meat sauces and tomato sauce, too. If you like Continental-style cheese plates for dessert, port is the beverage of choice. And it is nothing short of awesome with chocolate!
Port is either ruby or tawny. I think you'll prefer the ruby; it's the sweeter of the two.