Are you looking at expanding your wine drinking horizons but don't know where to start? Or maybe you don't have the time to examine each bottle sold in stores? Wine subscriptions are here to help streamline the process! All you need to do is click a button, and your preferred bottles will be sent to your doorstep.
We did the research and found the best wine subscriptions available. The California Wine Club was our favorite. They caught our attention with their detailed website that tells you a lot about each vineyard they work with, and the fact that they highlight small producers you might not have heard of otherwise. We've included nine more wine club subscriptions that have passed the test by beginners and wine enthusiasts alike. Furthermore, we've curated a buying guide, which was checked by a wine consultant and sommelier, to help you get started on your wine club membership!
Quick List - Top Wine Subscriptions
The California Wine Club
Best Way to Try Wines From and Learn About Small Producers
Lisa Lee is a Wine Consultant and Sommelier based in Myrtle Beach, SC. Lisa has been certified through The Wine and Spirits Education Trust earning her WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, with Merit.
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A quick look online shows a lot of wine clubs claiming to be the best. The buying guide below will help you figure out which one is actually the best for you! From streamlining your preferences to considering the specific membership perks, you'll be able to find a subscription that caters to your requirements.
Each wine club has a focus or specialty. Some offer liquor store favorites, while others will have a lineup of wines that you’ve never heard of. If you’re new to the wine types, here’s a quick rundown on the primary groups.
Red wine is made from dark-skinned or black grapes. Contact with the grape skins provide color as well as tannins, a compound that cause the astringent, dry, or bitter taste sometimes found in red wine. It is the structure of red wine that directly affects its aging.
You can get red wine in a wide variety of flavors, depending on the grapes. Cabernet sauvignon, for example, tastes like licorice, while pinot noir gives you a cherry flavor. You can pair red wine with pork, beef, cheese, and chocolate.
Tannins, along with acidity and the intensity of the fruit, are what directly affect whether or not a bottle can age.
Aromas and flavors in wine are not artificially added but rather are a result of where the grapes are grown and how the wine is made. Cabernet Sauvignon can have flavors of black fruits, tobacco, licorice and vanilla, while pinot noir can give you flavors of cherry, raspberry, mushroom and baking spices.
White wine is usually made with white grapes, although some manufacturers use sweeter black grapes without their skin. Even though white wine also has a wide range of flavors, its main difference from red wine is its light and fruity undertone.
White wine typically still has tannins, but you don’t get that astringent, bitter taste associated with red wine. Instead, they have a higher sugar and carbohydrate content. This means they pair well with poultry, pork, fish, and fruits. Some of the most common white wine varietals include chardonnay, riesling, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc.
While they don’t contain heart-healthy antioxidants like red wine, white wine has been said to cause fewer side effects like headaches, migraines, or allergic reactions since they have fewer tannins. On the other hand, white wines contain more sulfites, which can also cause the same issues in some people!
A wine's color comes from the grape's skins. Although white wine is generally made with white grapes, red grapes are also used, but the skins are removed prior to fermentation, producing a clear juice. An example of this would be Champagne made from pinot noir grapes.
Tannins are found in the skins, stems and seeds of a grape, which is why they are more prominent in red wines.
In between red and white wine, you have pink or rosé wine. The light pink color is due to the quick contact between the grape and its skin. Rosé wine usually has fruity and floral flavors with a hint of celery, rhubarb, or greens at the end.
Rosé is not as acidic or heavy as red wine and not as sweet as white wine. It can be paired with light salads, pasta, or rice dishes.
Rosé comes in a variety of shades of pink and can vary in sweetness, making it easy to find something for everyone's palate.
By double fermenting or injecting gas into red, white, or rosé wine, you can get bubbles! The extra carbon dioxide that's trapped in the bottle gives you that soda-like fizz, called effervescence.
From French Champagne to Italian prosecco, sparkling wine varies from dry to very sweet. You can also get sparkling wine that is zesty, nutty, creamy, or citrusy. The notes depend on the winemaker's process and grapes used.
There are five main types of dessert wines: slightly sweet, very sweet, sweet reds, sparkling and fortified. These wines can have an alcohol content of about 17 to 20 percent and some taste extra sweet, much like a dessert!
Sommelier Lisa Lee explains, "The sweetness in these wines is created in various ways. Late harvest wines are made from grapes picked late in the season when they have concentrated sweetness. Noble Rot adds flavors of ginger and honey to sweet wines, such as super sweet reislings, Sauternes and Tokaji Aszu. Grapes can be harvested and left to raisinate, or dry out, concentrating sweetness prior to winemaking."
Lisa continues, "Ice wine is made from grapes harvested and pressed while frozen, ensuring that only the most concentrated juice is used in the final wine. In others, prematurely stopping fermentation prevents yeast from converting all the grape’s sugars into alcohol. In sparkling wines, dosage, also known as liquer d’expedition, is added to adjust sugar levels in the final wine.
Liqeur de Tirage is a solution comprised of wine, sugar and yeast. This, when added to the base still wine, sparks the second fermentation in the traditional method of producing sparkling wines or Champagnes."
Finally, Lisa says, there's fortification. "Wine is blended with a clear grape spirit with high alcohol levels that stops fermentation and fortifies the wine. The final wine can be sweet or dry, but has alcohol content typically between 17and 20 percent alcohol by volume," she explains.
Anyone can claim to ferment great wine, but it should pass a strict standard among experts or sommeliers. A particular club's wine selection process is crucial to ensure you receive quality bottles during your subscription.
Whether you are new to wine or already a wine enthusiast, the club’s selection process is an important aspect that ensures the quality of the beverages they offer.
Wine club websites are often transparent about their selection process, listing their panels of sommeliers and experts who test and rate the wines. Some even offer a numerical rating to each wine to make it easier for you to choose.
If you’re looking at trying a new wine, we recommend taking the extra step of checking in with Robert Parker, arguably the world’s most trusted authority in wine. An approval from the club’s sommeliers and Robert Parker gives you double assurance on what you’re getting.
Also, check to see if the website has an archive where past selections are on display. From there, you can gauge the quality and standard of the wine club.
Other subscription plans, instead of relying on sommeliers or experts, use an algorithm to decide what is sent to you. Similar to the way Netflix recommends shows and movies to watch, the more you rate, the more accurate your wine matches get.
These plans start out by having you take a quiz about your basic preferences. If you aren't sure what kind of wines you like, don't worry; they usually ask you about food flavors and tastes. This makes them a good place to start if you're a beginner to wine.
After that, you'll rate the wines they send you, and over time their algorithm will learn what you liked and didn't, so they can customize your future orders. Although these plans are easy to use and can give you reliable results, you'll also miss out on experimentation and may start to get bored with having similar wines each time.
You can tell a lot about a wine by carefully reading its label, and seeing what details are and aren't mentioned. Check the examples they show on their site, or do a bit of research about where their wines come from.
You can also choose a wine club based on where their selection is sourced from. Some clubs specialize in European wines, while others focus on the Central American region. This is particularly important if you have an existing preference regarding the location of your wine.
High-end wine clubs offer the world's best, so you get access to some of the rarest selections from wineries that aren't commercialized. Reading about the source of your wine is a great way to discover more about each bottle's history. The history is an equally crucial aspect of wine drinking that accompanies its taste.
The five top wine regions are Italy, France, the USA, Spain, and Australia. France produces household staples like merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay. They are masters of reds and whites and, of course, Champagne.
Italy produces sweet dessert wine, sparkling wine, or prosecco on top of the classic reds and whites. Meanwhile, Napa Valley in California is considered the wine capital of the USA. Here you can get a variety of grapes such as pinot noir, zinfandel, and chardonnay. Oregon and Washington state have some amazing vineyards, too.
Chile, having weather that's a mix of France and the Pacific coast, produces excellent cabernet sauvignon and merlot. In Australia, the Margaret River region produces premium quality cabernet sauvignon grapes.
Italy produces the most wine, with France coming in second. Spain is home to the largest vineyard acreage in the world. Garnacha and Tempranillo are two varietals you must try.
"Private label" may sound like an exclusive wine, but it's actually one that's been contracted by the company that will eventually put its name on it. The wine may be produced and bottled at a vineyard and then labeled, or a wine club may make the wine themselves after buying grapes or juice in bulk from many vineyards.
Many times these wines are blended, so you don't know exactly where the grapes were grown or how the wine was made. This doesn't necessarily mean these are lesser quality, but if you care about trying wine from a certain appellation, they won't be a good choice for you. They can also vary in taste year to year as different sources are used.
In general, the less detail a wine label has, the more likely it is that it's a private label bottle. As long as you enjoy the taste, it's fine; provided you don't pay too much for it. Keep in mind that the reason wine clubs use this method is to save money, so make sure you're getting the quality you're paying for.
When choosing a particular subscription, it’s all about customization and flexibility. We recommend going for one that can most, if not all, of your demands. After all, a good wine club should extend top-notch customer service and benefits to its valued members.
Wine clubs usually offer subscriptions on a monthly basis, with shipments being sent every month, two months, or three months.
The decision is solely based on your requirements, whether you need 12 bottles sent every three months or a smaller quantity every month. A typical monthly subscription usually has three bottles for less than 100 dollars.
Being able to choose what goes in the shipment is another important consideration. Some wine clubs have a pre-set selection for their subscriptions, like a three-bottle set of all whites or all reds. Meanwhile, others will give you more leeway to customize what goes in your order.
The quantity of wine delivered is also important to consider. If you will be hosting a house party, then, by all means, a bottle or two is advised.
However, if you're unlikely to finish a whole bottle, alternative quantities would be better. Some wine clubs offer their selections by the pint, glass, or even test tubes! These options also allow you to pick out favorites without investing in a whole bottle.
Wine clubs offer a wide variety of membership perks to keep their clients satisfied. Benefits include free delivery, invitations to members-only events, virtual tastings, free taste packages, or shipments bundled with accessories and glasses.
Most wine clubs also have newsletters that are sent to members. These contain information on each bottle, the winery history, recipes, and wine pairings. You can also choose wine clubs that offer loyalty rewards, such as discounts on future shipments or a point-based rewards system.
Free cancellation or wine replacements are also worth looking at since there may be times when you disliked their selection or receive a wine that's flawed. Some clubs will even replace bottles you're unhappy with for free.
Once you pick out your favorites, reordering specific bottles is usually tricky due to the season, changing liquor laws, or distribution issues. Check to see if a wine club offers the same wines on future orders; some even offer discounts if you reorder a bottle.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The California Wine Club Aged Cabernet Series | ![]() | Best Way to Try Wines From and Learn About Small Producers | |
2 | SommSelect The Blind 6 | ![]() | Best for a Curated Blind Tasting Experience | |
3 | Winc Monthly Wine Club | ![]() | Best Beginner-Friendly Wine Subscription | |
4 | Harry & David Wine Down Box | ![]() | Best for Curated Wine, Cheese, and Fruit Pairings | |
5 | The Panel Exploration Club | ![]() | Best to Sample Wines Chosen by Industry Experts | |
6 | Firstleaf 6-Bottle Subscription | ![]() | Best for Beginners Who Want to Learn as They Drink | |
7 | Cellars Wine Club Premium Case | ![]() | Best for a Large Choice of Subscription Plans | |
8 | Vine Oh! Monthly Wine Club | ![]() | Best Wine Subscription With Extra Goodies for Women | |
9 | Primal Wine The Quarterly Wine Club | ![]() | Best Subscription for Natural and Organic Wines | |
10 | Bright Cellars Wine Box | ![]() | Best to Receive Personalized Unique Wines |
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This wine club specializes in partnering with mom-and-pop wineries, especially West Coast wineries, which they visit in person, so they can share their stories with you! You can also go international with their wines from Argentina, France, Germany, and more.
Their limited stock for reorders means you might find a wine you loved is sold out next time. On a positive note, all the membership perks, like access to personal wine consultants, were well-loved by many customers. They also appreciated the variety of clubs.
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This wine shop is perfect for avid wine drinkers. Master sommelier Ian Cauble offers curated subscriptions with a theme. You can even trust Mr. Cauble's expertise and receive six unknown bottles. The club also offers seasonal selections to fit every holiday and gathering.
Reviewers say that SommSelect gives great guidance with every shipment, but it is a tad too much for some. Still, they report that the quality of service and bottles offered are top-notch. Members like that they received wines they would not have found elsewhere.
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Winc's website is very easy to navigate and filled with useful information. Each item includes a photo, price, and rating. When you click on one, it will give you a detailed description of the body, taste, alcohol content, and pairing suggestions. Choose a minimum of three, and you have a subscription!
Reviewers are very satisfied with Winc because of the amount of control they have over what they receive. Plus, it's great for learning more about wine, whether you're a newbie or a wine fanatic. Many love that the wine club has a vegan lineup, too.
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Harry & David, known for pears and gourmet gift boxes, also produce and offer their own wines. While you can get a subscription to just the wine, we think the fruit and cheese pairing option is a better choice. Each month you'll get a bottle of either red or white, plus artisanal cheese and fruit that goes well with it.
We couldn't find a lot of reviews for this wine club, but the company itself is well-established, and there's no reason to assume this subscription won't meet those same standards. Wine and food pairings are harder than they seem, so trusting these experts should be a reliable choice!
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Each month, The Panel, a group of sommeliers and experts, blind taste a selection. Their top picks are then sent to members. What's more, you gain access to their Sonoma, California lounge and invites to tasting events and parties.
Many subscribers and walk-in customers to their wine shop were delighted with their experience. The wine, atmosphere, hospitality, and customer service received high remarks from reviewers. Enthusiasts loved the wide selection of wines offered by the club.
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Before starting anything with Firstleaf, you take an in-depth quiz about your preferences. From there, you get recommendations based on what you like. The company takes pride in acquiring customer ratings and feedback to refine its selections.
A few customers wish there was more information on the history or background of each bottle. On a positive note, most reviewers appreciate the 100 percent money-back satisfaction guarantee and like their overall experience.
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This company has 12 wine clubs ranging from premium international options to West Coast wines. You can order one bottle or a 12-bottle case and customize the shipment frequency. Members also get perks like free shipping, customer support, discounts, and free replacements.
This company only sends out bottles on the 20th of every month, unlike others who deliver a few days after your order. Still, the wide selection of wines and clubs and the membership perks make this company highly recommended by beginners and wine enthusiasts alike.
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If you're looking for a subscription that gives you more than wine, then this is the perfect club to try. Each box comes with goodies like makeup, sweets, and even accessories. The company also often gives discount codes for more savings.
This subscription has an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, who said that the items are thoughtful and not cheaply made. The wine selection was also a hit among subscribers.
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This company specializes in natural wines; those produced as an agricultural product in small batches as opposed to a controlled process. They offer subscriptions every one, two, or three months, and you can choose three, six, or 12 bottles.
If you're into kombucha, home-brewed beer, or other homemade fermented foods and drinks, you'll probably appreciate the unique qualities of natural wine. If you're not used to natural wines, reviewers say it's a good idea to try a few before subscribing. They have an online store, so that's easy to do!
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Two MIT graduates created an algorithm that picks out a wine selection suited to your tastes. Before signing up for a subscription, you take a simple palate quiz. From there, you can rate your wine and receive an even more accurate selection next month. They also offer free replacements.
A few reviewers wished the website offered more information on past selections and other services, like cancelation. Still, many customers thought the wines were delicious. Customer support also received much praise from clients.
Are you looking to add to your collection of wine accessories? Here are a few essentials to consider, especially if you want to make your wine subscription into a wine experience.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: The California Wine Club|Aged Cabernet Series
No. 2: SommSelect|The Blind 6
No. 3: Winc|Monthly Wine Club
No. 4: Harry & David|Wine Down Box
No. 5: The Panel|Exploration Club
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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