How I Pack My VinGardeValise DIY Inserts

Usually when we take road trips to Texas wineries, at some point we have to ask for a box to keep our bottles from rolling around the trunk or floorboard. But now that I have a VinGardeValise Petite wine suitcase (holds 8 bottles), which has been great for transport and to keep the wine pseudo-insulated from the Texas heat during stops (read all about how I pack my wine suitcase here). And on rare occasions when I travel with mason jars of my homemade preserves, I use Do-It-Yourself inserts, which is the recommended packing method for non-wine bottles.

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Last week while packing for a costuming convention in Atlanta, I packed as many 8 oz mason jars of my homegrown and homemade fig jam as possible into both sides of my Petite. I was able to pack 26 jars (a baker’s dozen on each side) to take to the convention and give to friends! (Jam recipe here: A Mathematical Formula for Jam/Jelly/Marmalade)

Each Do-It-Yourself insert contains a blissfully symmetrical grid of vertical rectangles that are removable, and movable, and replaceable (afterwards). I staggered and flipped my jars for symmetrical spacing and to keep the weight balanced.