Shipping policy

At Sideways Wine Collective, our goal is to deliver your wine safely and efficiently.
This Shipping & Delivery Policy explains how orders are processed, shipped, and received within South Africa.

1. Delivery Areas

We deliver nationwide within the Republic of South Africa through trusted courier partners.

Deliveries cannot be made to P.O. Boxes and must be to a physical address where an adult (18+) is available to receive the order.

2. Delivery Timeframes

Delivery typically takes:

3–9 business days nationwide

Delivery times may vary depending on:

  • Your location

  • Stock availability at the supplier

  • Courier schedules

  • Public holidays and peak season demand

Certain wines may be dispatched directly from the farm or distributor, which can affect delivery timelines.

3. Courier Contact & Customer Responsibility

Couriers may call before or on the day of delivery.
To avoid delays:

Customers must keep their phone available and answer courier calls.

If the courier cannot reach you:

  • Delivery may be delayed

  • A second delivery attempt may be charged

  • The parcel may be returned to the depot for collection in some cases

Sideways Wine Collective is not responsible for delays caused by missed courier calls or unavailability at the delivery address.

4. Delivery Fees

Shipping fees are calculated automatically at checkout based on:

  • Number of bottles/cases

  • Box size

  • Delivery address/location

  • Weight and handling requirements

Shipping charges will always be displayed before payment is completed.

5. Packaging & Breakage Protection

All products are shipped in secure packaging designed for transporting wine.

We take every precaution to ensure your wine arrives safely.
If your parcel arrives damaged:

  1. Take photos of the damaged box and bottles

  2. Email us within 48 hours at admin@sidewayswine.co.za

We will arrange a replacement or refund according to our Returns & Refund Policy.

6. Failed Delivery Attempts

If an adult (18+) is not present to receive the delivery:

  • The courier will leave a notification

  • A re-delivery attempt may be billed to the customer

  • The courier may request you schedule a new delivery date

If repeated delivery attempts fail, the parcel may be returned to us.
Return and re-shipping costs will be the customer’s responsibility unless the courier was at fault.

7. Out-of-Stock Items & Vintage Changes

Wine vintages change frequently.
If the displayed vintage differs from supplier stock:

  • We may supply the newer available vintage without contacting you

  • If the vintage change materially affects quality or price, we will inform you first

If an ordered item is out of stock, we may:

  • Offer an alternative, or

  • Ship the available items only, or

  • Refund the out-of-stock portion

8. Order Processing Time

Orders are typically processed within 1–5 business days, depending on:

  • Supplier responsiveness

  • Courier collection times

  • Verification of payment

Orders placed after 3pm, on weekends, or public holidays may be processed next business day.

9. Tracking Your Order

Once your order is dispatched, you will receive:

  • A tracking link

  • Courier details

  • Delivery updates

Tracking may take a few hours to activate after dispatch.

10. Contact Us

For delivery queries, updates, or assistance:
admin@sidewayswine.co.za
Stellenbosch, South Africa