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Beer & Wine

How Much Wine for 30 People?

Quick Answer

For 30 people at a large party, you need approximately 12 bottles of wine.

Estimated cost: $120 - $240

12 bottles

for 30 people

Estimated cost: $120 - $240

How We Calculate

1

Start with guest count

30 people

2

Multiply by drinks per person

30 ร— 2 = 60 total bottles

3

Convert to purchasing units

60 รท 5 servings per bottle = 12 bottles

Tips for Serving Wine to 30 Guests

  • โœ“ Offer both red and white options
  • โœ“ Chill white wine to 45-50ยฐF, serve red at 60-65ยฐF
  • โœ“ Plan 60% white, 40% red for most events
  • โœ“ Open red wine 30 minutes before serving
  • โœ“ Have a corkscrew backup - always

Service Plan for 30 Guests

For a large party, plan on approximately 60 total servings over a 3-hour event. Keep a 10-15% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.

Because wine is typically served alongside other drinks, set a second non-alcoholic option to avoid over-concentration on a single beverage and reduce stockout risk.

  • Prep checklist: 72+ cups, 45+ lbs of ice, and backup storage nearby.
  • Chill strategy: pre-chill at least 70% before service to reduce ice melt and dilution.
  • Replenishment cadence: refresh serving stations every 30-45 minutes instead of all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much wine do I need for 30 people?

For 30 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 12 bottles. This is based on 2 bottles per person.

What's the cost of wine for 30 guests?

Expect to spend $120 - $240 on wine for 30 people, based on typical prices of $10-$20 per bottle.

Should I buy extra wine?

Yes! We recommend adding 10-15% extra for unexpected guests or heavy drinkers. That's about 2 more bottles.

Editorial Process and Sources

Last reviewed: February 19, 2026

Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team ยท Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com

This page is generated from structured wine consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.

Reference Sources

Wine for Other Party Sizes