The Right Wine Club for Every Drinker
We decided to research the best places to buy wine online. The right wine club should make our lives easier and more interesting. We all wish there was a perfect little wine store just down the street, but most of us are buying our wine at a big box beverage depot or the local grocery store's wine aisle.
Sadly, our selection is limited to the wine portfolio of major national distributors. Alternatively, if you are new to wine and don’t have a friendly staff member to help you navigate the inventory, the options may be overwhelming. So there you are, stuck between feeling your wine choices are limited or you wine choices are too overwhelming.
This is why we need great places to buy wine online. These direct-to-consumer services are the best thing to happen to wine in the internet age. You no longer have to brave the elements or your own inexperience to get your hands on a few bottles of great wine.
Plus, you can take the guesswork out of the equation. Don’t even bother changing out of your pajamas, these wines are curated and delivered to your door. Read that again, a few clicks and wine shows up at your door. Good wine! Whether you are a total beginner or you are cornering the Court of Master Sommeliers, there is a subscription for you.
We went ahead and created some categories to help make this even easier. The great places to buy wine online come in a few different flavors. You can decide where you fit as an online wine consumer.
Wine Awesomeness
- Select Red | White | Mixed
- Recipes | Pairing Suggestions
- Wines From All Over The Globe
WINC (Former Club W)
- Curated Selection
- Private Label wines
- Eco Friendly packaging
Plonk Wine Club
- Organic and Biodynamic wines
- Personalized wine selection
- Unique global wine selection
Priority Wine Pass
- Free and 2 for 1 wine tasting deals
- Travel discounts at hotels
- Personalized trip planning
Gold Medal Wine Club
- California boutique wines
- All medal winning wines
- Extensive notes on wine and winery
Adventurous Wine Drinker
You like new experiences. You haven't cracked open a bottle of oaky, buttery chardonnay on purpose. You think wines from Eastern Europe are the next big thing. When I say, "Pet Nat" you don't think of your dog or cat.
Wine Awesomeness - More Than A Wine Club
Why: We love a good story. Wine Awesomeness brings their wine shipments to life by giving you a great story. Each shipment is an exploration of a theme. One shipment they are diving into overlooked Eastern European wines. The next shipment is focused on great women winemakers. This is a fun way to learn about wine. The boxes you receive include notes on how best to enjoy the wines and the backstory. This is a unique wine experience that turns every delivery into an adventure.
Cost: $45 for 3 bottles per month or $75 for 6 bottles. You can select all white, all red or mixed.
Bottom line: If you want a little adventure and love a good story, this is the wine club for you.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AFFILIATE PARTNER WINE AWESOMENESS
Quality and Value Wine Drinker
You would be happy to wines to come without labels. You just want the best wine for the price. You don't get caught up in the region, vintage or brand name.
Winc - Direct from the vineyard to your doorstep
Why: In the wine industry, middlemen take a cut of whatever passes their threshold. With unavoidable checkpoints like wholesalers and retailers come extra costs that drive up the price you pay for wine. Club W removes the extra players and works with winemakers to develop custom Club W labels, shipped directly to you. Almost all of the bottles Club W offers are under $20 (before shipping) providing newbies an affordable entry point to subscription wines. If you have wine-loving Millennial in your life, this is a good place for them to explore. Log in and get access to members-only videos and recipes for pairing, if you prefer to wine and dine. clubw.com
More Info: Check out our exclusive interview with the Chief Wine Officer of Winc.
Pricing: The basic monthly plan is four bottles for 52.00. You always have the option to trade up to higher-priced wines.
Bottom line: Club W’s list of Tastemakers and their accompanying videos and resources work best for someone looking for a lifestyle brand at a low price.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AFFILIATE PARTNER CLUB W
Boutique Wine Only Wine Drinker
You are into artisanal cheese, beer, soap, and definitely wine. You drink only out of hand blown wine glasses and use hand forged bottle openers only. You love getting to know who made the wine and why they made it that way.
Plonk Wine Club - We do the picking and you do the drinking
Why: Plonk does the thinking for you. The experts at Plonk scour the wine world for affordable boutique wines. Sometimes it's just easier to let someone else do the legwork. Boutique wines by definition are hard to find. You can't walk down to the local market to grab a bottle. Plonk solves this problem by curating a selection of wines that focus on craft production, excellent pricing and a commitment to sustainable production.
You tell Plonk if you want your monthly selection to focus on all reds, all whites, mixed red and white or a specific varietal like Pinot Noir.
Pricing: The Red/White/Mixed option starts at 49.99 per month. The varietal clubs start at 64.95
Bottom line: If you are looking for an easy way to explore a number of boutique producers from all over the world, Plonk is your best option
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AFFILIATE PARTNER PLONK
I Go To The Source Wine Drinker
You like to stand next to the grapes before they are crushed. You are a firm believer in being part of the Terroir. You know deep down that the best wine only comes directly from the tasting room!
Priority Wine Pass - Making Wine Tasting Affordable
Why: We all love tasting wine surrounded by vineyards and beautiful winery grounds. For years, this experience was free. The winery wanted you to taste the wine and then buy some to take home. This is changing. Wineries now charge up to $75.00 in Napa for a basic tasting. Add in a tour and the cost just goes up. The founders of priority wine pass want to keep wine tasting affordable. They saw the trends toward higher prices and decided to do something about it. They have negotiated discounted tasting, tours and wine purchases with over 175 wineries. These savings are passed along to Priority Pass members.
Cost: With the California Winery Advisor promotional rate, you pay 44.99 for one year of wine tasting discounts!
The bottom line: You will cover the cost of your pass after tasting at 1-3 wineries!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AFFILIATE PARTNER PRIORITY WINE PASS
I Like Options Wine Drinker
Gold Medal Wine Club - The Best Wine Club on the Planet. Period.
Why: If you prefer a vino source that has withstood the test of time, try Gold Medal Wine Club. Since 1992, this company has used strict criteria to select their wines, delivering top choices to members. Instead of them trying to assess your palate, (which is how newer wine clubs determine your shipment), you choose which club of six you would like to join.
Pricing: There are options for every budget from Gold Club, two bottles for $37, to Diamond Club, two exclusive bottles for $165-195. Those looking to specialize will enjoy the Pinot Noir Club for $74 or the Garagiste Club for $75. goldmedalwineclub.com
Bottom line: Gold Medal Wine Club is a trusted source offering a level of membership suitable for everyone.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AFFILIATE PARTNER GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB
