Every New Year is filled with resolutions. If one of yours is to learn more about wine, increase your cellar inventory or just make procuring wine easier, then a convenient, expertly selected wine club membership might be a resolution home run. We’ve selected four clubs with purpose, from user-friendly compatibility to Oregon-only memberships.
FOR THE INNOVATOR
Looking for something truly unique? Look no further than VINEBOX, a wine-by-the-glass concept with selections from Italy, France and Spain. For as low as $30 per month, VINEBOX allows you to try three wines by the single glass vial before committing to bottle purchases. Their patented technology keeps wines fresh for up to three years in the clever packaging. Each box comes with three individual glasses of wine and tasting notes the size of playing cards — including recommended food pairings.
FOR THE NATURALIST
A fan of natural wines, Alice Feiring was the wine and travel columnist for Time magazine for many years, among other journalistic accomplishments. Her unique and outspoken wine savvy is any club member’s gain as she brings about three bottles to doorsteps on a monthly basis for $75 with the Feiring Line Wine Society. Feiring operates under the premise of not only being wine-educated but also letting great vintages educate the wine lover. Her natural wine selections are chosen keeping seasons and upcoming holidays in mind.
FOR THE LOCAVORE
Drawing from his experience as owner of Backcountry Wine Tours, Jack Cranley’s Backroads Wine Club is a great resource for Oregon Pinot Noir. This club focuses on small lot releases of unique wines and members benefit from Cranley’s scores when a winery dips into their library to release older vintages. Of the six different clubs available, Jack’s Choice is the most popular. Focusing on the diversity available in Oregon, shipments might include a Pinot Gris gem or Gamay Noir jewel. Club prices range from $30 to $70 per bottle.
FOR THE INVESTOR
For the community-minded wine drinker, NakedWines.com’s crowdsourcing approach supports start-up winemakers via customers, known as Angels, who deposit $40 a month into their account. As your balance grows, purchase boutique wines that you helped make. This collaborative concept invests in talented individuals who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to see their dream turn into wine. The more you interact with the site, the more customized the selections become. Prices are affordable and the international selection is extensive. Naked connects winemakers with wine drinkers and customers to wine fans globally, all through the power of the Internet.
This article originally ran in the 2017 winter issue. For the full story and more like it, click here.
