Really don't know much about fine wines, but if you're thinking about bringing liquor, you should consider buying once you get into STT. There's a liquor store (very small) at the airport, that has great prices. Right near where you get your bags.

I also found them to be very nice and they told us that if we wanted anything on our way out of STT, that we could call ahead to make an order and they would have it ready for us.

I only bought some Cruzan Rum there, but prices in the Vi's for liquor can't be beat.

Thanks for the tip on the liquor. Probably pick up a little there for the daily fruity drinks, but my primary interest is in bringing the wine as these are of the such that you can't purchase on the open market, much less on St. John.

You do not have to clear customs on the way into the USVI's - only on the way out so good news there 🙂

But remember, you will have to ship it in your luggage or in a "crate" (or other professional carrier) as you can't carry it on the plane - remember the 3oz rule - therefore risking breakage or worse it going missing - just something to keep in mind.

And remember, we have the new gourmet store on STJ - saw a bottle of red in there last week for $150.00 - an upgrade for sure on the Yellow Tail - along with alot more variety (so what if my Justin Cabernet is $67.00 here vs $27.00 in the States 🙂 )

Pia

You can bring the wines that you like, they have to be checked, and make sure they are packed very very well. Don't know if you've ever seen how they toss luggage and boxes around! Depending on what you bring, you should also be aware that the temps will be irregular... very cold, or very hot, or possibly just right, it's just hard to say what is going to happen in the cargo part of an airplane.
Starfish Gourmet in the Marketplace has a pretty nice selection of wines. From $4-$1,700 per bottle. You will most likely pay a premium. Sometimes I find a wine that is cheaper here than in the states, but it is rare.
Save your packaging for wines you bring down so you can bring back liquor. It's a lot cheaper here than it is anywhere in the states. And if you happen to have a left over nice bottle of red wine you don't feel like taking home, Look me up!! 😉

You seem to know a lot about shopping on St. Thomas. My son is getting married on St. John in June and I would like to buy some cases of wine for the rehearsal dinner. I am looking at shipping it from the states, but would like to know if it would be cheaper if I bought the wine when I got there. Also, do you have a recipe for the rum punch like the one at the airport?

Hi all. I have to echo the remark about buying the booze on island.-can't beat the prices, and there are plenty of places to poke around. One good place is a souvenir shop to the left of JJ's Texas Coast Cafe. It's straight across the park as you come off of the ferry. Like I said, just look around. Plus, waiting and paying an extra buck or two per bottle is well worth it, as compared to lugging it from taxi to ferry from STT. Less to worry about,if you ask me,and it's still cheap. Cruzan rum has many different flavors to choose from,and here's how I'd make a rum punch=Cruzan dark rum,Cruzan mango flavored rum,oj, pineapple juice, and grenadine.Use 2-3 parts pineapple juice to 1 part oj, and just a little grenadine for color and added sweetness.With the other ingredients, it'll be sweet enough! You can also add amaretto, a passion fruit flavored rum. I'd use more dk. rum than mango flavored, and I didn't mention the exact amounts, because you may want to make it in large quantities, like a pitcher, or empty gallon milk container-easier to reseal/ close and shake. For an individual pint sized drink, I'd use 1oz. dk. rum,and 1/2-3/4 oz for each other liquor and grenadine.1 &1/2 oz. oj, and 3 oz pineapple juice. 5 or 6 ingredients keeps it simple and delicious on a hot day! Try making the drink at home before the trip to work out the recipe, and tell me what you think. If you can't find Flavored Cruzan rums, malibu has some good ones as well. Banana liqueur or flavored rum, as well as kahlua, and a spiced rum can also be added for a real smackdown!(I'm a bartender, and that's what I call it here at home-The Smackdown!) If you don't want to purchase all of the booze before you go away, just go to a bar, and ask the bartender to make you one. Get back to me, good luck, and enjoy!
Slainte!
MJ