Update!
I’m happily recovering from yet another surgery – ahem, **procedure** – and I’m hoping that this is the last one. I’m nearly 30 pounds lighter and much happier than I was a few months ago. As I write this, I’m enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir from Southern France, which pairs beautifully with spinach and mushroom ravioli. I received the Pinot from one of my wine clubs, the topic of this post.
Wine Clubs
If you love wine – and you do, otherwise, why would you be here – joining a wine club is a great way to discover bottles you might not pick for yourself. Wine clubs send wine to you on a regular schedule; plus you might get perks like special tastings or invites to members-only events.
Some clubs are run by wineries, while others are organized by companies that source wine from all over.
I have/had both, and I want to share my experiences.
Winery Wine Clubs
Winery wine clubs are run by the wineries themselves, so you get to connect with the people who actually make the wine. Generally speaking, you choose the wine club option after some time spent in a tasting room. Or even better, time spent with friends sharing new wine experiences. Visiting wineries with friends is the best thing ever.
At one point (during The Day Job™ years), I belonged to as many as five clubs at once. I was also sharing and/or entertaining a lot more, despite my credit card’s constant protests.
Here’s what you usually get:
- Exclusive Wines: Try limited-release and special bottles you won’t find on regular shelves. Even the best winery wine clubs don’t always offer them, but they are worth the effort (and budget) if you purchase them. Look for “Library Wine” offerings.
- Discounts & Deals: Save money on wines, tastings, and maybe even some winery swag.
- Event Invites: Think behind-the-scenes tours, release parties, and barrel tastings.
- Custom Choices: Pick what kind of wine you want, how much you get, and how often it shows up (monthly, quarterly, etc.).
- Personal Touch: Expect newsletters, updates, or even a friendly call from the staff. You’re more than just a number!
Most wineries ask you to commit to a certain number of bottles a year, but it’s often easy to skip or swap shipments if you need. I’ve been a member of a couple of wineries’ wine clubs for several years and am happy to be one. The wines are excellent, and I can’t quite quit.
General Wine Clubs
General (or “multi-winery”) wine clubs are usually run by retailers or subscription companies. They pick bottles from different winemakers and places, so you get more variety. Here’s what’s usually included:
- Expert Picks: Sommeliers or wine geeks choose bottles based on a theme such as a grape, a region, or a style. Somm Select is a club I order from on kind of a regular basis. They’re not the cheapest, but have one of the most comprehensive selections of high-end (expensive) wines anywhere.
- Learn As You Sip: Most boxes come with tasting notes, pairing ideas, and stories about where the wine’s from.
- Super Flexible: Choose how often you get wine, what types you want, and pause or cancel whenever.
- Try New Things: Get bottles from all over the world, including off-the-beaten-path producers.
Some general clubs focus on organic or rare wines, some on sparkling only, while others are all about keeping it affordable. There’s something for every taste and budget.
Why Join a Wine Club?
- So Easy: No need to go hunting for new wine—your bottles just show up at your door.
- Expand Your Palate: Try new grapes, regions, and styles without the guesswork.
- Special Treatment: Get access to exclusive wines just for members.
- Save Some Cash: Enjoy discounts on wine and sometimes even free shipping.
Things to Think About Before Joining
Before you sign up, ask yourself:
- Do they have wines I’ll actually enjoy?
- How much commitment is required (and is it flexible)?
- Does the price work for me?
- Can I easily pause or cancel if I need to?
- What do other members say about the club offerings?
The general wine clubs are terrific. Which wasn’t always the case.
One of the first general wine clubs I joined – about twenty or so years ago – had pretty horrible wines. I don’t recall the name of the club, but I know they’re not in business anymore. As I said to my Sommelier Toastmasters club, “Think Sutter Home White Zin. Squared.”
A couple of years ago, I found a general wine club through Sunset Magazine. Awesome wines, great prices, and Sunset always includes information about each wine. I’m on a schedule now and shared it with the wine group I was teaching, and they liked the wines as well.
I’m no longer teaching (real life interfered, blah blah blah), but I’m still a member of the Sunset club. I pay a set amount when the allocation is available, and it’s cheaper than buying the wines individually. Not all the wines are stellar, but so far, all are at least good. High-end daily drinkers, so to speak. I’ve taken a couple of them to wine dinners with friends and kept my mouth shut. Don’t tell them, because they liked the wines!
I’m currently on the allocation/email list of several wineries, including high-end ones, such as Kosta Browne and Williams Selyem. Oh! And Turley!
