We sought out clubs that deliver high-quality wines and provide good value, but be aware that the more reputable subscription services tend to come with a higher price tag. On the other hand, some clubs may charge too much for their selections and lack transparency about the wines they offer. We’ve outlined some potential issues you should consider before signing up, and we also offer guidance on selecting a wine club if our recommended choices don’t meet your specific requirements.
Our recommendation
This is among the best clubs for expanding your knowledge of wine, with wines selected by sommeliers starting at approximately $25. Wine Access stands out for its customer service and temperature-controlled shipping, but it only ships four to six times per year.
Opt for Wine Access if you are interested in receiving bottles handpicked by sommeliers and are keen on learning more about the wine you consume. This club immediately impressed us with its transparency regarding the selection process, range of wines, educational materials, and complimentary temperature-controlled shipping (a rarity among most subscription services). Among its five club options, we tested The Discovery Club, which includes six bottles of wine focused on a changing quarterly theme. Each bottle comes with a detailed information page, providing an overview of the winemaker and region, as well as tasting notes and suggested food pairings.
Although we would have preferred a bit more variety with the selection of red wines in our order, it’s evident that Wine Access invests considerable thought into its club experience. Among the wine clubs we reviewed, Wine Access also offers the best customer service and ships to the most states. It also provides gift cards in a range of denominations.
Our recommendation
SommSelect is another excellent club for expanding your knowledge of wine, with sommelier-selected bottles starting at around $25. This is a better option if you prefer a monthly shipment or want to create your own case.
If you desire more frequent shipments than what Wine Access offers, SommSelect is another outstanding choice for wines chosen by sommeliers. We tested its most affordable club, The Explore 4, which includes four monthly bottles centered around a changing theme. We were pleased with all of the wines in our shipment, and we were impressed by the diverse styles and regional representation of the bottles we received. Similar to Wine Access, SommSelect provides extensive information about the wines in its shipments. If you’d rather select your own wines, SommSelect has another club that allows you to create your own case (Wine Access also allows you to purchase cases, but not as part of a subscription). Additionally, SommSelect offers curated club gift packs if you want to send wine as a gift or prefer not to commit to a subscription. For a fee, SommSelect ships its wine using an ice pack during the summer months to prevent spoilage; this is among the few wine clubs that offer this option.
