12 Excellent Wine Clubs For The Wine Enthusiast

Groucho Marx had probably never joined a wine club when he famously said, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.” Being a wine club member or part of a wine of the month club program is one of life’s greatest little pleasures.

Joining one not only allows you to try a wide range wines often curated to your specifications, be your preference pinot noir, rosé, wild and wacky blends, nothing but bubbles, or everything in between, it also offers a long list of other perks like, exclusive access to events and wine allocations, deep discounts, the chance to meet the winemaker, complimentary tastings, and more.

To help you navigate all the options out there, from Napa to Sonoma and beyond, we have rounded up some of our favorite wine clubs and wine subscription services, from the traditional to the offbeat, so you can fill your cellar and tasting calendar for months to come.

Sequoia Grove Winery

Sequoia Grove is a family-owned winery located in the picturesque Rutherford region of Napa. While known for their cabernet, one need not be limited to one varietal when it comes to their wine club. Choose from three different tiers – “Rare Reds,” “Classic Cabernet,” and the “Mixed Six,” and enjoy world-class wines, complimentary tastings, and other perks. Wine club members are also promised “Warm hospitality, a personal touch, and a sense of belonging,” which we could all use a bit of right now. From $136, 3-6 bottles/shipment.

Courtesy of Sequoia Grove Winery

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

It’s no wonder so many of the St. Francis Patron Society wine club members have been active for decades. In addition to curated wine allocations, members also gain exclusive pricing and access to the beloved Sonoma County winery’s small production “Artisan & Icon” collection and their nationally-acclaimed culinary experiences, special accommodation pricing with local lodging partners, and entrance to the Member Parlor & Terrace where they can sip new releases while taking in stunning views of the estate vineyards and Mayacamas mountain range. From $150, 4-12 bottles/shipment.

Jordan Winery

California wine lovers have long flocked to Sonoma’s Jordan Winery for its wine tasting experiences and culinary-focused offerings, and true wine insiders know the Jordan wine club is the way to go, especially for those who want more than just wine delivered to their doors. More of a loyalty program than a traditional wine club, Jordan Estate Rewards allows customers to accrue points that can be redeemed for exclusive food and wine experiences. Membership is complimentary and comes with 3,000 bonus points when you join Jordan’s mailing list. From there, you earn points for every dollar spent at the winery in Healdsburg, online, or by phone. Free to join.

Courtesy of Jordan Winery

Pine Ridge Vineyards

Wine club members at Pine Ridge Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley join for the limited-edition, cellar-worthy cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties, artfully crafted from the winery’s estate vineyards across five renowned appellations – Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros. They stay for the complimentary tastings, private invitations to exclusive winery events, and other premium perks. From $200, 3-12 bottles/shipment.

Tank Garage Winery

Members of Tank Garage Winery’s MADE Club receive access to the mysterious “Backroom,” as well as shipments of three, six, or twelve bottles, five times per year, of some seriously cool wines made from grapes sourced from some of California’s top vineyards. Self-described as “one of the most interesting wineries in Napa Valley,” and “a winery that celebrates misfits, bootleggers, and daredevils,” lovers of offbeat blends and eye-popping, artist-driven labels will feel right at home with this wine club. From $130, 3-12 bottles/shipment.

Courtesy of Tank Garage Winery

Paraduxx

This well-known winery’s claim to fame is that it’s the only Napa Valley winery devoted exclusively to producing exciting Napa blends. Experience these artfully-crafted concoctions through one of their two wine club tiers, each offering a selection of wine releases, discounts, free shipping, access to events, and more. From $209, 3-4 bottles/shipment.

James Cole Winery

Members of any of the three wine club tiers offered at this family-owned and operated winery on Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail will feel like family as well. In addition to four annual shipments of exceptional estate-grown, small-lot wines from grapes like cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and malbec, members enjoy complimentary tastings and events, as well as wine and shipping discounts. From $165/release, 2-6 bottles/shipment.

Courtesy of James Cole Winery

Raymond Vineyards

If you have ever set foot in one of Raymond Vineyards’ opulent tasting salons, you will know this is a wine club you want to be a part of. Voted “Best Wine Club” by the North Bay Bohemian, each shipment contains a selection of award-winning Estate, Small Lot, and District wines, including both red wine and white wine options, and comes with a host of other perks like access and discounts at sister properties in Napa, Sonoma, and Burgundy, complimentary tastings, family and friends referral benefits, loyalty points accrual, and more. Price varies.

The Wine Party Co.

Started by sommelier Ronda Fraley, The Wine Party Co. wine subscription was born out of the idea that wine can and should be made more approachable. With that in mind, each wine club shipment focuses on small-production wines that are organic, biodynamic, or natural, and produced by lesser-known global winemakers with great stories to tell. Shipments also include a beautifully produced, easy-to-read booklet featuring tasting notes, winemaker interviews, and recipes to pair with the wines. $129, 4 bottles every month or every other month.

Courtesy of The Wine Party Co.

Ownroot Collective

In this totally unique wine club concept, members are offered the opportunity to purchase high-quality, low-production California wines made by talented winemakers who have day jobs in the wine industry, and are also pursuing their own wine brands. Members are invited to join the winemakers for virtual tastings, and enjoy subsidized shipping, great content and education, and access to wine they literally cannot find anywhere else. Says founder, Terra Jane Albee, “Our number one goal is to grow a community that is transparent, curious, diverse, and super fun,” which sounds like a club we would love to be a part of, wine or no wine. From $8.95/month.

Daylight Wine & Spirits

This Sonoma-based winery proudly claims to make wine for people, not critics. They source grapes from some of the best family vineyards throughout Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles for all of the wines that go into The Founders Club, a quarterly shipment of three, six, or twelve bottles. The wines are easy-drinking and approachable, with names like Mr. Moody’s Potion, Ammunition, Badgerhound, and Trollop, and have whimsical labels to match. From $90/shipment, 3-12 bottles/shipment.

Courtesy of Daylight Wine & Spirits

Woman-Owned Wineries

Amy Bess Cook launched Woman-Owned Wineries in 2017 to help create greater equity in the wine industry. This online directory also features a wine subscription, offering curated monthly deliveries of wine from female vintners. WOW prioritizes wines that reflect ethical farming practices from Sonoma County and across California, as well as other wine regions such as the Pacific Northwest and Texas, and regularly shares exclusive stories about talented female winemakers you won’t read anywhere else. Members can choose the monthly shipment of three wines, or an a la carte option. From $92, 3 bottles/shipment.

Other Wine Subscriptions to Consider

Reducing the thousands of fantastic wine subscriptions and clubs out there to a short list was nearly impossible, so we want to give a shout out to a few other honorable mentions. If small-production, organic, and biodynamic selections are your thing (not to mention free shipping on all orders!), check out Plonk Wine Club. Wine Awesomeness lives up to its tagline “Discovery delivered to your door,” with its selection of hard-to-find, hand-dug wines made from interesting varieties, up-and-coming winemakers, and offbeat regions. One of the original wine subscription services to tap into the direct-to-consumer experience, Winc curates and creates over a hundred different wines to please just about any palate. Winc also regularly offers discounts on your first box to make the deal even sweeter. Love wine but prefer it by-the-glass? Vinebox will send you a shipment of wines from all over the world in adorable apothecary-inspired single serve test tubes. If you find something you like, you earn credits toward full-sized bottles of all your favorites.

Courtesy of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

---

— A Guide to Understanding Wine Through Numbers —

— 16 Wine Racks & Wine Storage Ideas For Your Home —

---

Author

Devin Parr

Devin Parr is a San Diego-based freelance writer and consultant specializing in wine, travel and lifestyle. In addition to covering the global wine industry, she is the resident expert in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, serving as the region’s ambassador on behalf of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. She holds a certification in wine expertise from the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, and is currently pursuing her WSET Diploma. In 2017, she was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Follow her adventures at @thesocalwinegal and www.devinparr.com.