I am an advocate of wine clubs. If you don’t live near the wineries you love, you get discounts and memories mailed to you several times a year.  If you do live in wine country, you get to attend fabulous parties in addition to purchasing at a discount. Here’s my opinion about what makes a club worth joining.

Top traits of a first-rate wine club:

• Excellent wine. It’s hard to find great wine.  When I find it, I buy it and I want the best price.
• A level for everyone. Spending money before I get the product is a big commitment. The best clubs offer an entry level of $40-$60 per shipment for two bottles or $50-80 for 4 bottles and/or a 2 times a year shipment at a higher level.
• Winemaker & family participation at smaller events. I prefer events where the wine maker and the family members are introduced, address the guests about a topic and  chat with folks one-on-one.
• A good party. My favorite events have a theme, a focus and an “agenda.” (Here’s an example.)
• Complimentary tasting for my guests. I love to introduce people to my favorite wineries.  My guests buy wine and if for some reason they don’t, I make sure I buy enough to make up for the tasting fees. I like wineries that treat my guests as well as they treat me.
• More then eating & drinking. Fun stuff like eco-hikes (dog friendly!), games (Bocce ball), barrel tastings & wine education.
• Unexpected Gifts & Invitations. Goodie bags at events, recipes in my email box, a postcard invitation to stop by and say hi…small gestures make me feel part of the “family.”