| There are a few similarities between Advance | | | | may be hard to procure when released. This list is |
| Tasting Clubs, Winery Mailing Lists, and Cellar | | | | generally serviced twice annually and the products |
| Clubs, but the differences between these can be | | | | that are on offer are standard release wines at |
| considerable. There are some winery cellar clubs | | | | discount prices. |
| that offer bonus advantages and benefits to the | | | | . Wine-of-the-Month Clubs: Most retailers offer |
| members, while others are just a facade and a | | | | special package deals wherein they look for all |
| means by which the winery can dump all its odd | | | | those rare bargains and send you at least two |
| lots. There are different types of winery cellar | | | | bottles of wine each month at a fixed rate. Yes, |
| clubs. Here are a few of them: | | | | this type of subscription is real fun, but the |
| . Mailing Lists: The winery will first send you its | | | | bargain rarely appears to be good once the cost |
| promotional brochures on a consistent basis, | | | | of shipment is added in. |
| keeping you up-to-date about the up and coming | | | | . Cellar Clubs: Cellar Clubs is a term that is used to |
| release dates, while offering you the first grabs. | | | | describe certain programs where wineries send |
| Most of these wineries are geared to ship specific | | | | out two or more bottles of wines anywhere |
| wines to you, provided that the law does not | | | | from one to three months. Costs range |
| prohibit this. Almost all of the wineries offer large | | | | anywhere from $25 to $75 for every shipment. |
| discounts to their mailing list clientele. | | | | The wines are given out at discounted rate, 20% |
| . Subscriber/Futures Lists: You have to agree | | | | being the standard discount offered. Discounts |
| beforehand to purchase a particular amount of | | | | generally apply to most short-term purchases, but |
| wine when the concerned winery releases it. | | | | sometimes it can apply to every purchase. |
| Futures prices are almost 30% less than the | | | | There are two categories of Cellar Clubs: Those |
| actual retail price. For instance, the Brander | | | | that send out their regular release wines, and |
| Winery in Los Olivos provides reasonable prices to | | | | those that produce special bottles for their |
| its futures clients and the list is generally open to | | | | members. Maintaining an established wine market |
| all new subscribers. These subscriber lists are used | | | | for small amounts of trial wines allows the |
| by smaller wineries, which produce limited | | | | winemaker to try out new varietals, techniques, |
| amounts of good quality wine. However, once you | | | | and blends with greater flexibility and ease. The |
| are part of the list, rest assured you will be able | | | | most successful of these experiments often leads |
| to purchase all those special wines. | | | | to new and regular wine releases. However, if you |
| . Advance Tasting Clubs: You have to give the | | | | are wondering what the winemaker does with all |
| winery your credit card number and request | | | | that Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah that are |
| them to ship at least 2-6 bottles of the wine | | | | left over, then you should know that all these are |
| before it is released to the public. This will give | | | | used to create special blends, which are only for |
| you the right of first refusal on those wines that | | | | the most loyal cellar club members. |