The Lane Cellars partner David Cumming said customers had followed the trend online as cellar doors and non-essential retail outlets were forced to close their storefronts during the pandemic.

"People can mix a couple of bottles of wine and a six-pack of beers - we've been curating six-packs of reds and whites and they've been particularly successful," he said.

He said Easter normally was a higher sales period, but customers did not seem to be drinking more than normal.

"The next couple of weeks will be telling when Easter is over and done with," he said.

Mr Cumming said cellar doors who had already set up online sales were ahead of the curve and believed the pandemic would have a lasting effect on the way people bought alcohol.

"A lot of people are liking the delivery that's available - I think as people become more comfortable with ordering online and know it will be delivered, they're quite happy to do that," he said.

"I don't think online sales will drop to pre-COVID conditions."

Lives Lives Better clinical services group manager Michele Campbell said higher alcohol consumption was a risk during the period of social distancing and isolation as stress levels grew and people faced financial and social struggles.

"Sometimes it does crop up and people don't realise it's getting out of hand," Ms Campbell said.

"Just telling someone about it [can help] - even doing a drinking diary is often helpful."

She said those with pre-existing alcohol problems were at higher risk because their usual social supports were not available to them and they should seek help.

Lives Lived Well has shifted its alcohol and drug and mental health support to free telephone and online platforms in response to the COVID-19 virus to safeguard client and staff health.

The residential rehabilitation has been temporarily shut down until the organisation can develop systems to reduce the risk of transmission.

"We've moved to all online platforms - online counselling, as well as running groups via online platforms," Ms Campbell said.