Govino’s redesigned unbreakable wine glasses are my favorite wine glasses, on the boat or anywhere else.
That’s not where I expected to land. Years ago, I reviewed the original Govinos and gave them a mixed verdict — they had real virtues and real flaws, and which side won out depended on what you wanted from a wine glass. The redesigned line is a different product. It keeps everything that worked and fixes everything that didn’t.
Govino sent me two of the 12-oz white wine glasses to try. I’ve been drinking out of them for a few weeks now, and they’ve become my first choice when I reach for a glass. I also use them for water and juice!
What the Redesign Changed
The original Govinos were a soft, flexible plastic — closer to a Red Solo Cup than to actual glass. They worked, but they felt cheap, clouded up after a few months, and looked tired pretty quickly.
The new ones are made from Tritan, a much sturdier BPA-free material. They’re not flexible anymore. There’s just enough give that they don’t shatter when they fall, but otherwise they feel solid — much more like real glass than like plastic. Dave actually thought they were glass until he picked one up.
A few weeks in, mine still look brand new. The cloudiness and that tired-plastic look that came with the old ones is gone.
Why They Work So Well on a Boat
The thumb notch is the feature I’d point to first. It’s a small indentation molded into the side of each glass, perfectly placed for your thumb or first finger. Sounds minor. It isn’t. Wet hands from a sweating glass, the boat rolling unexpectedly, reaching across the cockpit for a chip — the notch keeps the glass from slipping. I haven’t dropped one yet.
The next thing nobody tells you about boat wine glasses until you’ve tried a bunch is the mouthfeel. Stainless wine glasses have a metallic taste and a hard rim that doesn’t feel right against your lips. The cheaper hard plastic ones have a sharp molded edge that catches against your mouth. Silicone is soft but rubbery. The Govinos have a smooth, polished, rounded lip that genuinely feels like drinking out of a real wine glass. You don’t notice when it’s right. You absolutely notice when it’s wrong.
Here are the features that matter for boat use:
- Thumb notch keeps the glass from slipping when your hands are wet or the boat moves
- Smooth, rounded lip feels like real glass against your mouth — no hard edges, no metallic taste
- Fits most boat drink holders — slightly smaller diameter than a can koozie or coffee mug
- Crystal clear so they actually look like wine glasses on the table, not picnic cups
- Won’t shatter if they fall — safe around bare feet on the deck
- Lightweight and stack easily — toss several in a tote for a beach happy hour or a potluck on another boat
That last one cuts both ways. The glasses are so light that an empty one can blow off the cockpit table in a stiff breeze. The solution is simple: put them in the drink holder.
Which Size Should You Get?
Govino makes two wine sizes:
- White wine — 12 oz. Sized for a normal pour, fits drink holders easily. My favorites!
- Red wine — 16 oz. Taller than the white, but the same diameter at the base, so it fits the same drink holders. The extra height gives you a more generous pour and more air space above the wine, which red wine drinkers tend to prefer.
If you mostly drink white or rosé, get the 12 oz. If you mostly drink red or like a generous pour, get the 16 oz. There’s no wrong answer, and plenty of cruisers I know keep both aboard.
The One Real Downside
These are still plastic — well, Tritan, which is a real step up from ordinary plastic, but it’s not glass. If your standard is “must feel exactly like fine crystal,” Tritan won’t get you all the way there. It gets you most of the way. Whether the remaining gap matters is personal, and most boaters I know have decided it doesn’t.
That’s the whole list of downsides. After several weeks of regular use, I genuinely haven’t found anything else worth complaining about.
Where to Buy
Direct from Govino — the full line, including white wine, red wine, beer glasses, whiskey glasses, and champagne flutes.
On Amazon:
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Allan Cobb on Facebook says
We use these on the boat and are quite happy with them. Another advantage is that they have some “give” so they don’t rattle when packed close together.
karen kassel says
We have used the GoVino glasses on the boat for several years now and LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They get a little cloudy after a season but they are so cheap we just buy fresh ones each season and use the old ones as to-go glasses.
Janice Fleischmann says
You are quite right about getting tired looking after a short while but I still like them. I have found them in two “store ” locations in Ontario, Canada. One was the make your own wine store that we use in Kitchener and they were quite reasonably priced.
Mich Myrick James on Facebook says
They are great on the boat and ashore… Love them!
Kathryn Weber says
We love our GoVino wine glasses & also got the GoVino tequila tasting glasses which conveniently double as champagne flutes. We’ve cracked a couple at the rim while washing though. Defective plastic or too vigorous washing?
Jan Murray says
I have these on our boat, they’re great. I’ve used and washed them a lot, and they still look great.
Judith Pringle says
We have been using for 2 years, still shiny after many washes, and they don’t take alot of space.
Diann Croudace says
I have the Govino Flute glasses and wish to buy the 16oz Wine glasses and the Beer Glasses .I have tried all avenue to have them sent to me in South Africa Cape Town and al I come to is a dead end .Please can someone help.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Amazon does do some international shipping, have you tried them?
Florian Wolf says
We had a quite a variety of Govino ‘glasses’ on our boat, but gave them away, as the main problem with these glasses for us was that they got blown away on deck when empty. We also felt them to be flimsy, but that’s subjective – now we’re using cheap, sturdy, but good-looking glasses from the supermarket, and it works well. Sorry Govino…
Laurie Nolan Morton says
I just bought a set of these for our boat and you described them perfectly. I was a little surprised at how flimsy they are but like you said there’s good points and bad points. My niece who is a wine connoisseur and doesn’t do any boating suggested I get these as she uses them at home and loves them!
Monique Henault Henson says
Not dishwasher friendly…. I now have ovoidal wine cups.
The Boat Galley says
No definitely not!
MB MacDonald says
I didn’t realise they were not supposed to be dishwasher friendly! Fortunately, they’re still fine after two years and many washes.
Lisa Kyle MacInnis says
Just don’t use anything abrasive on them when cleaning as they scratch easily! But I love mine.
Lori Steinbrunner says
Love them.
Lahowind says
They’re my very favorite! :))
Donna Chiappini says
I’ve used these since they first came out. Now easy to order online. They look like crystal but are a thin strong plastic. Do not put in the dishwasher or use anything abrasive. I also have the Champagne flutes. Use at home and on the boat. Love them. They are inexpensive and a nice hostess gift as well.
Dave says
We were invited aboard one of those superyachts for a local regatta and the svelte, blonde, ponytailed stewards brought out incredibly elegant hors d’oevres and served them to all wherever they were on deck. I was manning the bow watching for other boats just before the start and w quite busy when I was approached and asked if I’d like some. I indicated that I was busy at the moment and my hands were full juggling binoculars, radio and a stopwatch, but maybe later.
“How about some cold pumpkin soup in a cup then?”
“Okay, sure, can you put it down somewhere it won’t tip over?”
She ladled the soup into a GoVino cup and wedged it in among the bow cleats. After the start I sat up on the bow pulpit seat (great view!) and enjoyed the soup… which was DELICIOUS. (I’d expect none other.)
I kept the cup and when I got home found that my wife had kept her’s too. We like ’em.
Amanda Cox Conley says
I have a set of these on the boat and LOVE them!!!
Rhonda Lane Diskin says
We love our Govino glasses! They look classy while being practical.
Marc Bodian says
Bad point – they are plastic. Considering any alternative would be good be they glass or metal. The convenience of them is undeniable, unfortunately that is also the problem. Environmental concerns should precede convenience.
Rodney Lewis says
O/T, but I found one of those “Luci” blow-up lights in my stocking. I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if I hadn’t read about them here. TY
The Boat Galley says
Oh, you’ll love it!
Rhonda Lane Diskin says
I bought a set for my Captain’s stocking too after reading about them from here too.
Sylvia Wimmenhove McGraw says
Two in our stocking as well. Original for hubby and the Aura for me. I absolutely love them!! Great tip on using the original one as a dinghy light.
Dianne Mendat says
We love ours!
Laurie Nolan Morton says
Used them as extras for our Thanksgiving and my brother in law thought they were disposable. Found a couple in our recycle bin, thank goodness! Also found some of my grandmothers antique beautiful white linen napkins in the garbage. Just goes to show you how some people think everything is disposable
The Boat Galley says
Oh geez!
Keith Davie says
Just got a set for Christmas. Waiting to try them out until we’re back on the boat though…
Cynthia Lyn-Gray Miller says
We have a set and they are awesome!
Cathleen Speaker Holzknecht says
We have them and love them. Just don’t put in dishwasher-even on top rack – they will deform.
Lisa Cooper says
We have GoVino wine, beer, and champagne glasses and use them all the time. Love them!
Diane Mann says
Do they get cloudy and used looking fast …. like some brands? I’d like to be able to have them look like glass for more than a couple of weeks
The Boat Galley says
Washing in cold water helps keep them from clouding but yes, they’ll cloud in time.
MaryBelle MacDonald says
Love ours, though do watch that guests don’t wander off with them or throw them away.
Dani S Mith says
We love our GoVinos! Perfect for boats 🙂
Annette Walker says
Not happy with mine. I received a set of 4 as a gift several years ago but each either developed a serious vertical crack rim to mid- bulge or melted and deformed in the never strong pacific Northwest sunlight. None clouded up but they were never run thru the dishwasher because they were always on the boat. Meanwhile my old stainless steel wine glasses from a chandlery look like the day I bought them and do not retain any odors.
Tammy Swart says
I have a set and love them…word of caution, don’t pour hot (almost boiling) water into the sink with these glasses in the dishwater. One of mine melted and now has a convenient pour spout.
Rick Garvin says
We have them, but they like to blow over when they get close to empty. Hard to stack too. But, better than the alternative.
govino says
Thank you Boat Gallery for sharing you experience with govino! Hope you can check out our dishwasher safe line!
Stacy Marie Adams says
I have them on my boat and just love them with the little notch to hold on to the glass too
The Boat Galley says
Yes, dropping a glass could be considered alcohol abuse ☺
Kelley Martin says
These are the best wine glasses for outdoor, I have them on my boat, in my tailgating supplies for Football games, and use them outside at my house. I have also purchased the champagne version.
Chris Walker Walden says
Yup! And they also have beer glasses!
Petra Vandenberg says
Coco La Noix lol
Allan Cobb says
I use silicone stemless wine glasses and they are so much better. They are unbreakable and can be smashed into any space.
The Boat Galley says
I fully admit, these aren’t for everyone!
Sherry Haught says
I bought some at Tuesday Morning last summer. We had a friend come aboard that had spray on sunscreen on their hands. It ate into the surface of the glass. They are a mass of finger prints!
The Boat Galley says
Oh wow. Never heard of that. I know DEET will eat into many plastics, too.
Kathryn Schmidt Oler says
Not to sidetrack this post but sunscreen can also affect plastic glasses frames. I’ve noticed this on the bridge of my sunglasses. I’ve had them forever but have noticed the plastic over my nose, a top sunscreen target, becoming increasingly foggy as compared to other parts of the frames.
Janice Glebe Fleischmann says
I actually had one crack down the side. But still my favorite wine glass.
Harm Ellens says
Yes they are good for me.
Al Wong says
Using them for about 5 years, very happy with them.
Stuart Dutton says
Mmmmm….wine!
Jan Drury says
I’ve had some for about four years now, I really like them now that I’m used to the slightly sharp edge. They are really durable.
Lisa Kyle MacInnis says
We loved them on the boat, too. But learned not to clean them with any kind of “scrubbie” (even plastic) as they scratch very easily!
Patricia Jackson says
I am old fashioned, and don’t like stemless wine glasses…my white wine gets warm too fast. I have some acrylic wine glasses that I love.