After 15-20 years, my two bottle leather wine carrier is giving up the ghost. It’s cracked, crumbing, and misshapen. I suppose shoving champers and Germans into it, when it was designed for BDX shapes, didn’t help.
Does anyone have suggestions for good brand/vendor? Ideally it would need to be able to fly in cargo / suitcases, look not heinous, and be a little more tolerant of various sizes.
Thanks
If something fancy is your goal, I can’t help you. A simple and cheap 2-bottle Neoprene carrier has been more than adequate for my needs for many years. You can stretch them, but 2 fat Champagne bottles might be a bit much.
Frankly, if only carrying 2 bottles in a check-in suitcase, I’ve never found the need for a hard internal case. Perfect record to date with bottles wrapped in plastic (typically plastic bags) and ample clothing stuffed/wrapped around each for padding.
RT
Just bought this, I kinda like it. I wish it had a front pocket though. I was able to fit a zalto universal + krug btl with some pushing. It’s def a tight squeeze in this thing
Mulholland Brothers leather insulated 2 bottle .
3 bottle
http://www.wineenthusiast.com/3-bottle-leather-byo-wine-bag-(chestnut).asp
2 bottle
http://www.wineenthusiast.com/2-bottle-leather-wine-tote.asp
+1 to all of this. I flip one Champagne bottle to fit two fatties, though. 
Highly recommend this 3 bottle neoprene tote bag as it has inserts for included ice bags, which do a great job of keeping the wine chilled, as well as a front pocket to store a cork screw and any other small items. I had the 2 bottle for years, but I have found the 3 bottle to have greater versatility.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019S0QX8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For traveling, I would not want to take up the room in my suitcase that a harder case uses so I use either a two bottle neoprene sleeve like this Amazon.com or something like this wine skin. https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Skin-WineSkin-Bag-2-Pack/dp/B0033C6FOM/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1531176229&sr=8-3&keywords=WineSkin&dpID=41DnPbMq0OL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
I’ve used the first one of these in a suitcase many times without a problem. One advantage: It takes up no space when it’s empty. Of course, it’s not as stylish as some of the other bags. Here’s what it looks like:
As others have suggested, I use the neoprene carriers. But I use the one-bottle carriers. If I have two bottles, I take two carriers. Or three. I place them in different parts of my luggage to keep them apart. Or I put one or two in my wife’s luggage. Very inexpensive. And they fold flat for the return trip. And they fold up for placement in my wife’s purse on the way home from the restaurant. Very versatile.
The brand I use is Built NY. The two-bottle version is pictured in the previous post.
Phil Jones
Chill-n-go. Made in Ca. An industry standard for a long time now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00GDFTTY4/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&mv_color_name=0
I have used a converted coffee picnic set for years (suede leather). Now I see they have a wine set - you can ditch the glasses and carry two bottles.
http://www.picnicatascot.com/Main/Default/ProductsDetail.aspx?id=35
My wife uses a Built 2 bottle wrapped in a towel. It’s been 4 years back and forth from California almost every week and not a single incident.
I wish I bought the Filson wine tote when it was available. I hope they bring it back.
My high end handbag and accessory company made our first 2 bottle wine bag recently, and it sold in 4 days. Making more now in case you want to go all out. Full quill ostrich and fully equipped with chill n go system inside. (apologies for quasi-marketing post- won’t make a habit of it.)
+1 You have nice taste Ned.
Thanks for all those suggestions.
Mulholland or Ostrich carriers seem nice, but those bags are more likely more valuable than what I’d be carrying!
I ended up going with Moderator Fu’s suggestion of the Kato carrier.