The
holidays are fast approaching and now is a great time to consider what you’d
like to receive (as a wine lover) and what you’d like to give the wine aficionado
on your list.
Maybe
you’ve considered joining or gifting a wine club. There are a multitude of wine clubs out
there, from those offered by a local winery, to clubs from select wine regions,
retailers, internet wine clubs, even media outlets. 
You
can select clubs based on the types of wine; red wines, white wines, sweet
wines, dry wines, gold medal wines, organic wines. Or maybe a wine club that
changes it’s theme with each shipment is more to your liking. Whatever you’re
searching for, you can probably find it at this time of year when clubs offer
specials and incentives for the holidays.
Wine
club memberships are great gift ideas because they allow you (or your
recipient) the convenience of receiving select wines directly to your door.
Wine clubs have helped introduce consumers to varieties, locations and
producers they might not normally have tried or had access to. And that has helped in expanding the
customer’s range of knowledge about wine, wine regions, and the industry as a
whole. |
| Paul Kalemkiarain |
The concept of the wine club is said to have developed about in 1972 when Paul
Kalemkiarain, Sr., started choosing
‘monthly wine selections’ to offer to the customers of a liquor store he
managed in California. Customers
requested that the wines be delivered to their homes and Kalemkiarain began
sending them by mail – thus began a monthly wine club.
 |
| What Comes with the Wine |
Today
wine clubs are as different as the wines themselves. The varieties of wine offered, the number of
bottles sent, the frequency of the club; monthly, bimonthly or quarterly, and
the frequency of shipping are all variables you should consider when selecting a
wine club. Newsletters, winetasting
notes, food pairing tips, recipes, even personal notes from the winemaker may
be added perks with a wine club membership. But in the end, cost may be the
true deciding factor.
 |
| Wine Shipping |
Prices
charged for wine clubs are what the market will bear, so do your research. Clubs can start at $30 + shipping for two
bottles of wine and go up to around $200 + shipping for two bottles. Wine may
be shipped by ground (the lowest rate) or overnight by private carriers, but
never by the U.S. Postal Service. Some
wine clubs will offer shipping at a flat rate, regardless of what you order.
Here
are just a few things to consider before joining up:
Pros:
•
Specific wine clubs offers exactly what you want.
•
Wine clubs offer wines that may not be available through regular store
channels, especially true for small wineries.
•
If you reside in a rural or limited wine area, wine clubs may give you access
to wines that are difficult to obtain in your area.
•
Wine clubs are a good way to experience different wines from all over the
world.
•
Wine clubs may offer special discounts, or hold special events just for wine
club members. Winery wine clubs offer perks such as complimentary wine
tastings, pick-up parties, or free wine glasses.
•
Limited wines may only be released to wine club members.
•
Wine clubs strengthen relationships with the customer and the winery or
producer.
Cons:
•
Wine club prices may be highly inflated.
What will the club cost you over a year? (Figure in the price of the
bottles, taxes, and shipping.) Do the math before you sign.
•
Wine clubs select the wines to be sent.
You could end up receiving wines that you don’t necessarily like.
•
State-to-state wine shipping laws. Rules vary from state to state, sometimes
county to county, regarding wine shipments, including how many bottles/cases
you can receive and if taxes are charged. Learn more at http://www.wineinstitute.org/initiatives/stateshippinglaws
•
Shipping prices can be prohibitive.
Since wine cannot be sent by regular mail,
private shippers must be
used. Keep in mind that UPS and Fed Ex
also include extra charges for adult signatures, and an adult must be present
for these carriers to leave the package.
•
Condition the wine arrives in. Once the
wine leaves the wine club premises it is at the mercy of the shipper. This means it can set on a dock in the sun or
inclement weather. Check with the club
and see if they will hold shipments for you if your area is difficult to ship
to weather-wise.
•
Wine clubs are not personal. You can’t
get a recommendation or up-close, personal service like you would in a wine
shop or store.
•
Other limitations and requirements - Find out if there’s a penalty for
canceling your membership. What happens if you don’t purchase the agreed upon
amount of wine in the amount of time specified?
Bottom Line:
When
you join a wine club make sure its one with wines you will continue to enjoy
over the length of the membership period.
Check out how often wines are shipped, when your card will be charged,
and how you can track your shipment. Can
you request fewer shipments, or have them held and shipped at more appropriate
times? Also read the fine print before
signing and find out what’s required to join and cancel a club membership. 
If
it’s a club that sounds too good to be true – check it out. Make sure the wine
club is legitimate. Has it had
complaints registered against it? Are
the wines delivered what they’re promised to be? Are there unseen costs added in? Is the shipping really free?
Like
anything else, a wine club is only as good as the value you feel you are
getting. Make sure it’s a good fit for your tastes and objectives.
After
all, the Holidays are all about spreading “Good Cheer,” and wine club memberships can be great gifts that "keep on giving!"
~
Joy
