When you’re researching wine subscriptions, there are lots of options out there, along with some exciting new-member offers. I love a good joining gift, and of course, a nice discount is going to make me take a second look at what a site has to offer. But it’s important to look at the bigger picture, too.
The simple answer is that a wine subscription varies from company to company. There is no blanket price that covers all. However, I’d advise you to take the time to do a bit of research before signing up to a wine subscription. What are you looking for? Are you looking to build your wine collection as something you can discuss, maybe show to your friends, but only enjoy at very special occasions? Or are you looking for a subscription that takes you on a journey around the world in different wines, is great value and doesn’t make your bank account cry?
Wine Insiders: Quality Wines, Exciting Discoveries & Everyday Value
The Welcome Offer
My first order from Wine Insiders was 15 bottles of premium wine (that’s 12 bottles, plus three bonus bottles as the welcome gift) for $99. Go on, I’m intrigued! This is the special welcome offer from Wine Insiders.
As previously mentioned, I try not to be swayed by the welcome offer. I’m more interested in what the subscription has to offer in the long term. Looking through Wine Insiders’ wide selection of wines from all over the world, there were many tempting options, including plenty I’ve never heard of but am curious to try.
The company works directly with wineries and has a panel of sommeliers, winemakers, and industry insiders helping to select its wines, which is reassuring when you’re looking to discover something new.
You don’t have to join the wine club to shop with Wine Insiders, either. You can choose individual bottles or curated selections, which makes it a flexible option whether you’re stocking up on old favourites or branching out a little.
After the Introductory Offer
After the introductory offer, the ongoing subscription is $149 for 12 bottles every 12 weeks. That’s worth keeping in mind when weighing up the long-term cost rather than focusing solely on the welcome deal.
The ongoing cost is worth looking at, too. The regular club shipment works out at $151.95, including the $2.95 processing fee, before tax. With 12 bottles in the box, that’s around $12.66 per bottle. For me, that makes Wine Insiders an appealing option for someone who wants to explore wines from different regions while keeping an eye on the budget, without feeling that quality has to be sacrificed.
They also reward their club members for being repeat customers with their 5% credit Pourback Program on each club order, even their special welcome price. That 5% can be used against your next club order, or you might want to save the credit up and use it to get a bigger discount off your club order at a later date. I like building up credit like this to use on a December club order since December can be such an expensive time with holiday gift buying.
A Little Discovery in Every Delivery
I’m someone who grew up in the generation of there being toys in the cereal boxes and to keep it fair between my brother and I, our parents wouldn’t let us go digging for the toy.
So, each morning we’d pour our cereal, waiting to see who got the toy from the box. As a thank you, Wine Insiders put an occasional surprise in your box, which I think is not only a lovely touch but also adds that extra element of fun to the experience.
Plonk: More Choice in Bottle Quantity and Delivery Frequency
Organic and Biodynamic Wines
If knowing that the wines are made with organic and biodynamic farming practices is important to you, Plonk is certainly worth considering.
The club focuses on sustainably grown wines and minimal-intervention winemaking (although it’s worth remembering that organic and biodynamic practices don’t necessarily mean that no treatments are used in the vineyard).
I’m also really interested in the idea of trying the Poggio Bonelli Chigi Saracini Chianti Riserva. From the description on the site, it seems like the most delicious bottle of Chianti to enjoy on a cold winter’s evening by the fire.
Choosing Your Case Size and Delivery Frequency
With Plonk, you can choose between four-, six-, or 12-bottle cases. Delivery frequency options include monthly, every two months, or every three months, depending on the case size you select.
Naturally, the price varies depending on the quantity of bottles you order. The four-bottle Mixed Wine Club, for example, is currently listed at $134.99, although I’d recommend checking the price for your preferred case size and wine selection before signing up.
There are also prepaid options, but on doing some quick math, I couldn’t see any additional discount on the four-bottle Mixed Wine Club prepaid plans compared with paying for individual shipments. However, prepaying is still a great option if you’re giving a membership to someone as a gift. All deliveries are free, so there is no added shipping cost to factor in.
One thing to note is that if you order the 12-bottle case, you’re not getting 12 different bottles of wine to taste; you’re getting two bottles of each of six varieties. This may help determine which option you choose, depending on whether you prefer to sample a wider range of wines or have a little more of the ones you enjoy.
Is Plonk Worth the Plunge?
Plonk is a wine club that, while not the cheapest, does offer more options when it comes to the number of bottles you receive and how frequently they arrive.
It’s also a good option if you’re interested in organic and biodynamic wines, with a focus on sustainably grown grapes and minimal-intervention winemaking. That emphasis on how the wines are produced may help justify the higher price point for some wine drinkers.
Wine Access: Premium Wines and Exclusive Experiences
A Club for More Adventurous Wine Collectors
Wine Access definitely wants to position itself as a more premium wine subscription service. With eight different options, including the “Collector’s Club” and “The Waitlist,” it’s easy to see that they’re catering to a particular type of wine lover, including those with a much larger budget.
How Much Do Wine Access Memberships Cost?
Their prices aren’t astronomically high across the board, but the difference is in the wines you receive, the quantity, and the experience that comes with each membership.
The “Discovery Club” is $150 per shipment, which includes shipping, and gives you six bottles four times a year, or every 12 weeks. This membership also includes exclusive video wine tastings that talk you through the wines, the soils, how to pair them, and everything that goes into making your selections special.
You could take a different route with “The Connoisseurs Club,” which provides just two bottles of red wine every three months, also for $150 per shipment. This is aimed at people who are interested in exploring more collectible wines and building a wine collection. I was a little disappointed to see that the only option in this club was for red wine drinkers. I do enjoy red wine, but I like to have that variety. When it’s a beautiful summer day and I’m eating a lovely fresh fish dish, I prefer to drink a white wine, or sparkling white wine.
“The Champagne Club” is where we start to see the prices climb, at $200-250 per shipment. Including four bottles delivered every three months, this is a more premium option, although perhaps not surprising given the focus on Champagne.
“The Waitlist” (up to $200 per shipment) is where we see another level of exclusivity. Including four bottles in each shipment, delivered five times per year, this club offers access to exclusive events and restaurant collaborations.
However, it’s the “Collector’s Club” where you really see a price jump. With one bottle priced at $400 per shipment, this is a club for serious collectors. Yes, it offers access to exclusive tasting experiences, but this is not for your casual drinker.
Is the Premium Experience Worth It?
This club is for someone who enjoys collecting prestigious wines, perhaps to save for a very special occasion or add to an existing cellar. While some fine wines may appreciate in value over time, there are no guarantees, so I wouldn’t look at this as an investment.
Winc: Flexible Wine Subscriptions for Everyday Enjoyment
A Wine Club With a Sparkling Personality
Winc is the “trendy” wine subscription club. Even under its “How Winc Works” heading, it features the subheading: “We’re not like a regular wine club, we’re a cool wine club.”
I can’t help thinking of the iconic scene in Mean Girls where June George (played by Amy Poehler) pops in to check on her daughter, Regina, and her friends while they’re hanging out after school. I’m pretty sure that’s the sort of energy Winc was going for. Quite a few of the brands they work with feature really funky labels too. It’s all very Instagrammable, all very Millennial-coded.
Winc Membership Options and Pricing
Winc offers two membership options: a six-bottle membership, with six wines delivered every month, and a 12-bottle membership, with 12 wines delivered every 12 weeks. The average order costs around $115 for the six-bottle option and $220 for the 12-bottle option, although the final price depends on the wines you choose. Both memberships include free shipping and 20% off bottles and packs, and you can skip a delivery if you need to. You can also swap Winc’s recommendations for your own selections, which gives you more control over what arrives.
Personally, I like the idea of using a wine subscription to explore something different with every delivery. With 12 bottles arriving at once, I’d want to make sure I had plenty of variety to keep things interesting. If I find a wine I particularly enjoy, I’d probably buy a few extra bottles separately so I can enjoy it between deliveries.
Style and No Substance?
Is Winc all style and no substance? Definitely not. They have a wide selection of wines, including quite a few sparkling rosé options.
I also think the fun branding and labels would be a lot of fun to discuss and giggle about when having friends over. They’re a great choice for people who like good wine without any pretension.
So, How Much Does a Wine Subscription Really Cost?
Personally, I would rather receive 12 bottles of different wines each 12 weeks at a great price. I love the idea of getting that Friday feeling as I finish up my work week, either popping a bottle in the fridge, or opening it and letting it breathe and giving myself that little treat of a wine I’ve never tasted before. I’d make it like a little end of the week treat for my husband, or a friend and I to enjoy, discuss, and probably Google ferociously about to learn more while we relax for the evening. So, for that reason, I’d pick Wine Insiders.
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