Why Joining a Wine Club Might Be Your Best Wine Decision Yet
- Theresa Downs
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Join the club… that is, the wine club. Wine clubs have proliferated to the degree that practically every type of establishment that sells wine offers its own exclusive wine club. To wineries and wine retail shops, large and small, wine clubs offer cake with the cherry on top. Particularly true for wineries. Due to archaic laws stemming from the Volstead Act, better known as Prohibition, wine must be sold through a 3-tier system: producer-wholesaler-retailer. Everybody takes their cut, with wineries taking it in the shorts. So it's a win for wineries anytime they can form a direct relationship with consumers. Wine clubs allow that!
So wine clubs are good for wineries, big box wine stores, and small wine retail shops. But are they good for you? As wine educators who've both joined and ditched more than a few clubs, here are some things to consider before signing that membership form.
ou drink wine regularly, and by 'regularly' I mean a few glasses a week. If you partake only occasionally (unless you have a lot of parties), it doesn't make much sense to join the club. Forget that unless you're building a wine library.
For those of us lucky enough to live close to a wine region, like Napa, Paso Robles, or others throughout the United States, wine clubs offer a bevy of great offers that make joining up make sense.
Find a winery with wine you love? Chances are, you'll get a fairly significant discount on wine, plus a discount on any items in their gift shop. (Don't laugh, I've done a lot of Christmas shopping in winery gift shops.) Wineries usually host several events each year for their wine club members. Usually, they have complimentary tastings available for you and your guests. And, depending on the distance, you can usually pick up your wine and save on shipping charges.
Most wineries offer several membership options: all white, all red, how many bottles per shipment, or how many shipments a year, depending on the type of winery. Again, this varies depending on the type of wine and how often the winery ships to its wine club members. Cost can range from $100.00 (smaller winery) to $500.00 (premium California winery) per shipment. This is where you need to do a cost-benefit analysis. It may be a great deal for you if you plan to take advantage of any events offered, wine tastings, and the wine discount.
There is a plethora of wine clubs by subscription. Advantages: you get to try some wines you may never have tasted or heard of; disadvantages: someone is picking out your wine for you to drink. Check to see if there is a clause that allows you to exchange or return wine that is not to your liking.
Here are some of the more popular ones available:
(Full disclosure: I haven't personally used any of these services, but my research indicates they're better than others.)
Winc
Best for: Absolute beginners / easy drinkers
Cost: ~$13–$18 per bottle (monthly, typically 4 bottles)
Why: Simple palate quiz, approachable wines, low intimidation factor
Website: https://www.winc.com
Firstleaf
Best for: Beginner → early Intermediate
Cost: ~ $90 per 6-bottle shipment (~$15/bottle after intro offer)
Why: Personalized algorithm, strong value pricing
Website: https://www.firstleaf.com
Naked Wines
Best for: Flexible, self-directed explorers
Cost: ~$40/month deposit credited toward purchases
Why: You choose your bottles; good value and global variety
Website: https://www.nakedwines.com
Plonk Wine Club
Best for: Organic/biodynamic curiosity
Cost: ~$110–$150 per shipment (avg $20–$25 per bottle)
Why: Small producers, global discovery, thoughtful curation
Website: https://www.plonkwineclub.com
SommSelect
Best for: Serious wine learners
Cost: ~$99–$199+ per shipment (varies by tier; $30–$50+ per bottle typical)
Why: Sommelier-curated, educational deep dives, terroir focus
Website: https://www.sommselect.com
Read the fine print for whatever wine club you are contemplating joining. Find out the average cost of a shipment, the minimum amount of wine you must order per calendar year; how long you have to be a member before you're allowed to quit, whether you can exchange wine you don't particularly care for…. You know, the basics.
Wine clubs can be a great way to learn more about wine, foster relationships with not only the winery but also other wine club members, and save some money. Most important question to ask yourself…do I love these wines enough to commit, or trust this club to pick wines I love? If unsure but still love the idea of having wine picked out for you, go to your local wine store and talk to the staff. Chances are, they offer some type of club or will be happy to pick out wines for you to try without requiring a bigger commitment of time and money.
Happy clubbing!
