Anyone particularly happy with a particular wine club? I'm in the western US and there are quite a few available here. I'm not really interested in winery-specific clubs, but those who claim to have 'botique' wines. Would be fun to receive things I'm unlikely to find locally.
-- Robert
I am a member of several including Schramsberg, Ravenswood and Domaine Carneros. I have had a good experience getting wines that I would ordinarily have to go the winery to purchase. If they were just retail available wines I wouldn't be as interested.
Robert, One of my favorite Bay Area retailers, Solano Cellars, has several different wine clubs. They specialize in lesser-known and affordable wines from around the world, with a special emphasis on Rhone Ranger wines (their original owner -- Bill Easton -- now makes Rhone-styled wines in Amador County). Take a look at their website: http://www/solanocellars.com. I also know several people who've joined the California Wine Club. They have several levels, including a "Connoiseur's Club" that selects wine that were highly rated by CGCW. From what I've seen, one mostly gets Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot, however, and I've always suspected that they get wine that isn't selling at the retail level -- but perhaps I'm a bit too jaundiced...
ObDisclaimer: I'm not affiliated with either operation, except as a satisfied customer of Solano Cellars.
Mark Lipton
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.