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