| One of the best ways to get access to great, | | | | was sold out even prior to the wine shipment. |
| and sometimes less accessible, wines is to | | | | So in this case only wine club members had an |
| join a wine club. These clubs are free to | | | | opportunity to receive this great wine which |
| join and can result in you enjoying a greater | | | | was available only in limited supply. |
| variety of wines. Whether retailer operated, | | | | |
| or direct through the winery, wine clubs will | | | | In the case of a retailer wine club, we like |
| enhance your wine drinking pleasure. | | | | the idea of knowledgeable experts selecting |
| | | | great wines that have excellent value. Most |
| The first consideration for most consumers is | | | | times these are wines that would never appear |
| price. Just know that there are a range of | | | | on our radar no matter how much we read to |
| wine clubs to meet most consumer tastes and | | | | keep up. Retail wine clubs often have |
| budgets. Being in a wine club does not | | | | connections with wineries that provide |
| necessitate spending big money. As an example | | | | exceptional values. As in example K&L Wines |
| K&L Wine Merchants in San Francisco has a | | | | recently offered a 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon |
| wine club that will ship you 2 bottles of | | | | from a well respected Napa producer for under |
| wine per month for $17.95. For that price you | | | | $35. This same wine at the winery was $100. |
| have the advantage of knowledgeable experts | | | | We like the idea of being able to buy an |
| picking out wines that they feel represent | | | | outstanding vintage, 1997, from an |
| excellent value. | | | | outstanding vintner at a most fair price. The |
| | | | case outlined here would not be possible |
| At the other end of the range is Vintners | | | | outside of the wine club. |
| Collective in Napa. Their wine club, the | | | | |
| Collectors Club, ships 8 bottles of wine 5 | | | | Before committing to a wine club make sure |
| times per year for $290 per shipment. This | | | | you understand the frequency of the shipments |
| wine club specializes in smaller production | | | | and the length of the membership. Some clubs |
| wineries (generally under 1200 cases per | | | | welcome your membership on an annual basis |
| year) with whom they have excellent | | | | and will ship four times per year. Other |
| relationships. The result is wine from | | | | clubs will accommodate monthly membership, |
| vintners that you will likely not see on the | | | | frequently with a minimum number of months. |
| shelf of your local wine retailer. | | | | Choose the club that best fits both your |
| | | | budget and your consumption. If you have |
| Another consideration is whether to go with a | | | | limited storage space and your frequency of |
| winery direct club vs. a retailer. Ideally, | | | | delivery is too high from too many clubs, |
| budgets permitting, we recommend both clubs | | | | well you may have a great problem! |
| that are owned and operated by the winery and | | | | |
| clubs that are run by retailers. We like the | | | | Additional perks of wine clubs often include: |
| idea of getting a preferred spot on one of | | | | free shipping (depending on the state), |
| our favorite wineries distribution lists in | | | | discounts on retail purchases and/or future |
| addition to the variety that the retail club | | | | wine purchases, first access to newly |
| offers. As an example, take a look at Justin | | | | released wine, admission to special events |
| Vineyards and Winery. This Central Coast | | | | reserved for wine club patrons, complementary |
| maker of excellent red and white wine has a | | | | wine tasting, and discounts at local hotels, |
| few different wine clubs. They offer a choice | | | | inns or restaurants. |
| of red only or white only or mixed cases and | | | | |
| will give you access to wines that disappear | | | | Wine clubs present beginners and collectors |
| quite quickly. As an example we recently | | | | access to great wines, selected by |
| received a shipment containing one of our | | | | professionals, at a host of price points that |
| favorites, Justin Justification. This wine | | | | will only enhance your wine experience. |