For most people, they would like to sample different varieties of wine from different places.
Finances and the proper means of sourcing these wines are, however, the main hindrances toward achieving this goal. The California Wine Club is a wine mail order service that is changing this narrative.
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How Does California Wine Club Work?
The California Wine Club is a one-of-a-kind wine club located in California, USA, but that ships to various locations in the United States. This wine club allows members to sample some of the best wines from wineries in California, the USA, and other countries as well.
The members of this wine club have to register in one of the five levels available on the site. To register, click on the register button and you will be taken through the entire process. Additionally, you can do this by clicking on the “Get Started” button on any level listed on the website.
On clicking this button, you will be redirected to another page where you will have the chance to pick the type of wine you want to be delivered to you. You can also choose the frequency you want the wine delivered. You have three options: monthly, every two months, or every three months.
On this page also, you can decide whether you want to change this from being your order to gift it to someone else. The California Wine Club runs a gift shop from where you can gift a loved one with delivery at their doorstep.
With regards to the gifts, you can either choose all gifts, corporate gifts, or reserve holiday gifts.
Once you have placed your order, wait for your wine to be delivered in the frequency that you set while checking out.
Additionally, with each order, you will get an informational handbook that the California Wine Club calls Uncorked. This handbook provides a lot of valuable information on wines, wine tasting, and wineries that make the wine.
Types of Wines Available
California Wine Club’s primary focus is on local wines that are produced by wineries in California. However, they also stock various wines from other regions in the world and also from different parts of the United States.
All these wines, however, are either reds or whites. With each shipment that made to you, you can choose to either blend the reds and whites or solely get one type of wine shipped to you.
The California Wine Club does not have a means of gauging your preference for one type of wine over the other. You are, therefore, likely to receive different wines now and then.
This variety will alter the levels of the sweetness of your wines. However, one thing you can be sure of is that the team will more often than not come up with a selection that is going to suit your preferences.
Pricing
The California Wine Club has five levels of membership that are the determining factor when it comes to price. On each of these levels, you will receive two wine bottles depending on the frequency you set. You will either get blends of red and white or a single type only, as was stated in your initial set up. The levels available are:
Premier Series
This level features some handcrafted award-winning wines from small family-owned wineries in California. The level starts at $40.45 per delivery.
Signature Series
This level features the best-ranked wines in California. Deliveries at this level start at $134.
International Series
This level stocks some of the best wines from the best wineries and wine-producing regions around the world. The deliveries on this level start at $71
Aged Cabernet Series
This level is made up of some of the most prestigious Napa Cabernets anywhere. For most Cabernets here, they range between eight and twelve years.
Pacific Northwest Series
For the best wines from the wider Oregon and Washington area, this is the plan for you. It stocks some of the best handcrafted wines you can find. The deliveries start at $77.
The California Wines Club charges no shipping fees on any of the levels listed above. However, if you are looking at a case delivery, it will cost you $1 per case delivered.
Some great discounts are also available from time to time. It is advisable if you can check out the existence of any promotions before checking out.
Company History
The California Wine Club was established in 1990. Almost three decades later, the company continues to put California wine on the map for all US residents to partake.
Their focus on collecting wine from small family-owned wineries has seen these families’ lives transformed. The club has also been doing an impressive job helping wine lovers educate themselves on the types of wines that they drink and from which region of the world they come from.
Alternatives
- Winc is a wine club that charges their members for wine per bottle with their bottles starting at $12.
- Wine of the Month Club is a family winery that began in 1972, and it has continued to avail wine to its members’ doorsteps for close to five decades.
- Cellars Wine Club is a monthly wine club that sells wine and wine gifts as well.
Pros
- Uncorked – California Wine Club offers its members a chance to educate themselves on the wine they are drinking. This is through an informational handbook they refer to as Uncorked.
- Free delivery – California Wine Club charges no extra shipping fees after subscribing to any of their plans.
- Discounts – The California Wine Club offers fantastic discounts on their website.
Cons
- No customization – With California Wine Club, you are not free to customize the type of wine that you would like delivered to you.
Final Thoughts
California Wine Club is an excellent way of exploring different wine varieties from California and other parts of the world.
This service is most suitable for someone who would like to take an adventure when it comes to wine and does not mind having selections made for them.
