Wine Storage and Service Audit

Inspection template for auditing wine storage conditions, inventory rotation, and by-the-glass service standards.

Storage Environment

• Storage temperature is within the approved range for the wine program
  Record the measured ambient storage temperature at the time of inspection.
• Relative humidity is controlled to protect cork integrity and labels
  Record the measured relative humidity in the storage area.
• Wine is protected from direct light, heat sources, and vibration
  Check for exposure to sunlight, hot equipment, compressors, or excessive vibration.
• Storage area is clean, dry, and free of pests or odors
  Verify housekeeping conditions and absence of contamination risks.

Inventory Rotation and Bottle Condition

• Inventory is rotated using FIFO or an approved rotation method
  Check whether older stock is positioned for use before newer stock.
• Opened bottles are labeled with opening date and disposal/use-by guidance
  Confirm that opened bottles can be identified and tracked.
• Bottle closures, corks, and seals are intact with no leakage or seepage
  Check bottles for damaged closures, seepage, or signs of oxidation.
• Case labels, vintage, and varietal identification are legible and match inventory records
  Verify traceability and product identification.
• Inventory counts for by-the-glass and reserve stock are accurate
  Enter the count variance or discrepancy quantity identified during the audit.

By-the-Glass Service Standards

• Appropriate clean glassware is available for each by-the-glass pour
  Verify that the correct glass style is clean, dry, and ready for service.
• Wine is poured to the approved portion size
  Measure the actual pour size for a standard by-the-glass serving.
• Opened wine is stored under proper preservation controls during service
  Confirm use of refrigeration, vacuum sealing, inert gas, or other approved preservation method.
• By-the-glass wines are served at the correct temperature
  Record the serving temperature of a sampled by-the-glass wine.
• Service presentation is clean and consistent with house standards
  Rate the overall presentation of by-the-glass service.

Cleanliness, Safety, and Compliance

• Walkways, exits, and access to storage are unobstructed
  Check that aisles, doors, and emergency egress routes are clear.
• Staff can describe the approved wine handling and service procedure
  Assess whether staff understand the SOP for storage, rotation, and service.
• Required corrective actions are documented and assigned
  Verify that deficiencies are recorded with an owner and due date.
• Incident, injury, or safety log review completed when applicable
  Confirm review of recent safety logs if the site maintains them.
• Inspector signature
  Inspector signs to confirm the audit findings are accurate.