There are two different and completely distinct types of wine clubs that a person can choose to join. First, there are clubs that are part of the actual winery that produces the wines that are shipped to members. The other type of club is one that is not associated with any winery, but instead the club purchases the wines that are shipped to its members.
The obvious benefit of being a member of a wine club is receiving shipments of wine, but there are a number of other benefits that may come along with the membership. Usually, there is a discount for re-ordering the wine that was in the most recent shipment, with some clubs discounting their wines by up to 30 percent off the suggested retail price.
The winery-based club generally offers additional benefits the other type of wine club is unable to duplicate. Almost every winery maintains a tasting room where the public can sample new releases and purchase other wine-related merchandise. In recent years, it has become more difficult to find wineries that do not charge a tasting fee. Generally, the tasting fee is waived for wine club members and sometimes members’ guests. Further, there may be discounts for any wine or other merchandise that is purchased at the winery.
Many wine clubs also invite members to a wide array of special events throughout the year. These include dinners, picnics, release parties and cruises. I have joined a number of wine clubs that provide numerous benefits and other perks for membership, ranging from the events mentioned above to discounts for lodging near the winery.
Some examples of the wine clubs that are available are:
n Pellegrini Vineyards in Long Island, N.Y., charges between $65 and $80 per shipment for three wines, four times a year. Members also receive offers to exclusive dinners, wine and food seminars and other tasting events.
n L’Ecole No. 41 in Walla Walla, Wash., charges between $75 and $110 per shipment for three wines, three times a year. Members also receive offers to events, wines available only to the club, and trip planning assistance to the Walla Walla area.
n Flora Springs in St. Helena, Calif., charges between $45 and $80 bi-monthly for two wines, as well as an invitation to two member-only events at the winery, a discount at the nearby Rancho Caymus Inn and a special holiday bottling. The winery also calls members during the year offering deeper discounts on wines and this year is offering special pricing for a Mediterranean wine cruise with the winery.
n Erath Vineyards in Turner, Ore., charges between $50 and $85 per shipment for three wines, four times a year. Members are invited to attend (for free) Memorial Day and Thanksgiving Festivals, a wine dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Portland, and pre-releases and special bottling that are not available to the public.
Although not necessarily the same as a wine club, many small wineries sell their wine only through mailing lists, which can sometimes take years of being on a waiting list in order to purchase these wines. Wineries that utilize mailing lists provide very similar benefits to their clientele as well. One example is Diamond Creek Vineyards in Calistoga, Calif. While this winery is not open to the public, if you are on its mailing list, it has an annual open house and barrel tasting on four different dates each summer.
The other real benefit to membership, especially if you belong to a few wine clubs, is that you will build up a small inventory of wine in a very short time period. Even better yet, normally you don’t have to sign a contract so you can quit whenever you desire.
Jim Rawe, a family attorney in Bradenton, is an avid collector of fine wines. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at jimrawe@gmail.com.
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