Firstleaf Wine Club Review: Overview
Firstleaf was able to build up a good reputation quickly. This isn't easy for new wine clubs. Many wine clubs we review struggle to gain a following because they can't build trust with new members. Firstleaf wine club reviews are generally positive because they are open about how their wine-matching process works. They also do a great job correcting their wine matches if the first ones don't meet your expectations. So how do they do this?
There is an excellent little article on their blog discussing the algorithm behind their selection process and why they can claim that “Firstleaf is personalized to you”. In a nutshell, like most wine clubs, Firstleaf will kick you off with a cursory wine survey. However, while most other clubs take the answers you give on the introductory quiz and match them against generic tasting profiles (large groups with shared tastes), Firstleaf matches your feedback against an extensive database of wines.
After the initial quiz, you will receive a box custom-picked by their "onboarding" experts. Here’s the kicker: every time you receive another box from Firstleaf, the club will ask you to provide feedback about each bottle – what you liked, what you didn’t find agreeable, etc. The algorithm uses this feedback to tailor the next Firstleaf wine club box to your palate. In other words, the longer you remain a member of the club, the better job the algorithm will do in selecting the wines for you.
That said, our Firstleaf wine club review is generally favorable. Our one concern is the ease of use on their website. We did find ourselves in a loop at one point which was frustrating. We were able to contact Firstleaf customer service and get back on track.
Firstleaf Wine Club: Prices and shipping
When signing on for the first time, you will be prompted to answer three basic questions to help their experts plan an introductory box. This first shipment will contain three bottles at $6.66 per bottle, plus $4.95 for shipping for a total of $19.95, and it will arrive one month after you sign up.
Any subsequent shipment will contain six bottles with a price tag of $89.94. This amounts to just under $15 per bottle, which is on par with supermarket wines in terms of cost to you.
You can choose to have the Firstleaf wine subscription box delivered monthly, once every two months, or quarterly. You can delay or cancel a shipment in case you’re away for more extended periods or even pick a specific date to have the box delivered – they’re pretty flexible in this regard.
The club promises a 25% discount compared to retail prices, as they buy directly from global producers. They out the middleman by being the middleman, as it were. What’s excellent about Firstleaf is that not only will they refund your money if you receive a broken bottle, they’ll do it even if you don’t like a bottle (within reason, of course). They call it the “100% happy clients policy”. That's another reason our Firstleaf wine club review is so positive.
Firstleaf Wine Club: Customer service
As mentioned above, Firstleaf offers a great money-back guarantee, though you’ll have to discuss the refund with their customer service first. This is especially useful during summer when the heat is liable to damage the wine.
As for shipping, it goes through UPS and typically takes 2 to 5 days (they don’t do international shipping and/or eight states – you can see the list on their site). It comes with cardboard protection, much better than the usual Styrofoam if you’re environmentally minded (or even if you’re not). They are insistent on someone older than 21 signing for the shipment.
Firstleaf Wine Club: The Wine Selection
Firstleaf was featured in Sunset, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Cooking Light, and several other publications, and their wines and wineries have collectively won over 300 awards.
The wine club includes whites, reds, sparkling, and rosé, mainly from the US and some imported. However, the club favorites come from California (Hawthorne Grove Winery’s selection and Avistelle Pinot Gris by Joe Otos) and Spain (Paso Del Tiempo reds).
You Are In Control
As mentioned earlier, the club has a unique approach to tailoring each box to your taste, which relies on your continual feedback after each shipment. When revising your order on the Firstleaf website, you can easily swap out suggestions that don't appeal to you. The system will suggest a different bottle with some shared characteristics with the one you swapped out. This is a great way to personalize your wine choices and ensure you're always getting something you'll enjoy.
If you like a particular bottle, you can easily re-order it through the site – if it’s available, you’re golden. If you don’t feel like searching for the optimal shipment, you can try one of the three pre-packaged options – Founder’s Choice, Award-winning Wines, or Big Reds. Our experience with the Founder's Choice Club at Firstleaf was exceptional. The quality of the wine was top-notch, and we were thoroughly impressed. Highly recommended!
Firstleaf Wine Club: Is it for me?
Do you enjoy drinking a range of quality wines at great prices? This may be the wine club for you.
You'll be disappointed if you are a wine expert or enjoy complex wines. You can't expect a Bentley at Ford Fiesta prices.
The Pros
- Firstleaf boasts an impressive selection of over 200 award-winning wines, ensuring a diverse and quality experience.
- Their dedicated Wine Concierge team is always available to assist in selecting the perfect wines and providing expert food pairing suggestions upon request.
- Each wine comes with comprehensive tasting notes highlighting its body, acidity, sweetness, and tannin profiles, allowing you to appreciate every sip fully.
- The detailed tasting notes also feature flavor profiles, expert food pairing recommendations, nutritional information, and alcohol content for each wine.
- For your initial delivery, you only pay $44.95, which includes complimentary shipping, making the cost an incredible value at just $7.49 per bottle.
- Firstleaf values member feedback and actively shares it with winemakers to continuously refine and enhance their wine selections.
- With their generous "refer a friend" program, you can enjoy $40 off your next wine box while offering your friend their first six bottles for free (excluding tax and shipping).
The Cons
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If you're seeking a diverse international wine selection, Firstleaf might not be the ideal choice, as their offerings primarily focus on wines from the United States and a few other countries.
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Be prepared for the possibility of receiving duplicate wines in subsequent shipments, as Firstleaf's algorithm occasionally repeats selections, which could limit the variety in your wine-tasting journey.
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It's important to note that there is no option to select a preferred shipping carrier (e.g., FedEx or UPS) during the ordering process. For instance, my delivery arrived via FedEx.
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Unfortunately, Firstleaf doesn't offer the ability to customize wine selections based on dietary restrictions or preferences, which may be a drawback for some potential members.
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Be aware that you must be at least 21 years old and present to receive your delivery when it arrives, as legally required for alcohol shipments. Don't forget this crucial detail!
Firstleaf Wine Club: How do I order?
Ordering from Firstleaf's wine club is incredibly easy! All you have to do is take their wine preference quiz and sign up.
Don't forget to rate your first shipment, as this will help them tailor future boxes to your taste.
How To Cancel First Leaf Wine Club
To end your membership with Firstleaf's wine club, you can either call them at 800-461-7203 and request cancellation or send an email to service@firstleaf.com specifying the most convenient time for them to respond and cancel your subscription.
It's worth noting that there are no cancellation fees or minimum commitments, and you're free to cancel at any time.
Conclusion: Firstleaf Wine Club Review
We hope this Firstleaf wine club review was helpful and you've made your decision about joining the club. If you want more options, check out our list of the Best Wine Clubs And Wine Subscription Boxes.
