Wine subscription plans are on the rise. The reasons are what you’d expect: they make wine convenient and fun to explore. And the best wine subscriptions turn “what can feel like an intimidating world into something enjoyable, personal and effortless”, says Jason Hedges, the beverage director at the restaurant group LT Hospitality.
What do you need to know before leaping into the wonderful world of wine subscriptions? Whether you’re seeking a treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for a loved one, choosing the right one is important.
I ordered and tasted eight wine subscriptions to help you figure out which one fits your distinct needs. (Because I live in a full-service building in Brooklyn, I had a little explaining to do with the guys in my apartment building’s mail room as they handed me box after box filled with wine. Thankfully, I didn’t run into any delivery or packaging problems with these subscriptions.)
Read on for my experience and verdict on each, plus tips from experts on what to consider when choosing a wine subscription.
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The best wine clubs at a glance
The best affordable wine club: Firstleaf Classic Plan
The best wine club with a personal sommelier: Picked by Wine.com
The best small-business wine club: Smith & Vine Wine of the Month
The best natural and organic wine club: Helen’s Wines Seasonal 6 Pack
The best sparkling wine club: Roederer Estate Sparkling Club
The best wine club for casual drinkers: Winc
The best sustainable wine club: Plonk Mixed Organic Wine Club
Why you should trust me
I’m a writer with more than 20 years’ experience reporting on and reviewing consumer products, including cocktails and wine. I’ve visited award-winning wineries around the world and have interviewed and shadowed many vintners, sommeliers, vineyard and store owners and wine bar managers.
How I tested
We chose eight subscriptions that satisfied different tastes and needs, including a sparkling wine club and a couple-owned small business that delivers nationwide. Some gave quizzes to personalize their wine selections based on likes and dislikes, while others simply touted their expertise and resident sommeliers.
I noted features such as the ease of signing up, the level of explanatory or educational info and the experience of using each one. In particular, this meant the curation of wines – and their taste, quality and condition. My husband and I both tasted them, pairing many of these wines with our everyday dinners. (I had to make sure he kept his hands off the bottles littering our dining room table when he was looking to top off his glass. Easier said than done. Yes, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.)
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The best affordable wine club:
Firstleaf Classic Plan
What I got
My experience
To sign up, I took a short quiz that helped build my personalized taste profile. It asked things like, do I like red, white or a mix? How sweet do I like my vino? What foods do I like? After five minutes of questions, it chose six wines for me, and I was offered an opportunity to switch anything out that I didn’t like.
The wines came with a personalized information card with tasting notes, pairing suggestions and regional information. I especially enjoyed the pinot noir and the Chilean sauvignon blanc because of its refreshing, citrusy flavors. The rosé, however, was a little juicy for my taste. But I was generally happy with that initial tasting, and I liked that I could go back into my account and rate each bottle with a thumbs up or thumbs down to help inform future selections.
Subscription perks
Value is high here: after a discounted first box at $44.95, you’ll pay $90 per month ($15 per bottle) plus shipping. (You can also choose one of the three other plans offering pricier but nicer bottles.) The included educational leaflet was the simplest to decipher of all the subscriptions, with tasting cards on each bottle, info on the grapes and regions and QR codes to further tasting notes on the site if I wanted to learn more. The membership also comes with a complimentary wine concierge service, which allows you to speak directly with a concierge team member, and the company’s satisfaction guarantee, which gives you credit on your next shipment for any bottle you don’t like.
The verdict
Firstleaf Classic is an excellent choice for anyone looking to casually try more wines for less. There are no big-name labels here, and unless you upgrade, you won’t be blown away by the quality. But it’s a perfect way to keep your wine fridge stocked and get a better feel for what you like without blowing your whole paycheck.
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The best wine club with a personal sommelier:
Picked by Wine.com
What I got
My experience
Picked asked me to choose a target price range for each shipment, and I stuck with the lower tier, approximately $20 per bottle. I was then invited to take a quiz, which, in addition to asking about my preferred price and delivery frequency, also sought my experience level, varietal likes and dislikes and how adventurous I wanted to get. Unlike the Firstleaf quiz, it let me write in personal goals – like specific food pairings or regions I want to explore. I started with France and specifically the Rhone. After that, I was paired with my Personal Somm, Dave, who chose my bottles.
As fans of the Rhone region, which can be a pricey pick, my husband and I were especially happy with the Commanderie des Hospitaliers grenache-syrah-mourvèdre 2023. A heady blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre, this wine beautifully balanced rich red fruits and subtle tobacco notes - perfect for the cold months. In addition to this excellent red, the bordelaise white was elegant and oaky and enhanced the light tastes of pork, chicken and fish. But the sangiovese may have been our favorite sip out of all the subscriptions. Finding a red wine that is complex yet sippable is always a plus for me, and this one also offered a superbly dry finish - perfect for serving alongside my favorite bolognese recipe on a wintry night. The box also came with an introduction from Dave as well as a sticker for each wine.
Member perks
Quality reigns here, mainly because all the bottles come from Wine.com’s large inventory, so you have access to better-known labels and producers. But it’s access to a personal somm that makes the experience more interesting. The note I received from Dave reminded me to comment on my wines after trying them so he would have an easier time choosing future bottles. The delivery included no specific educational notes - which was fine; I just used the accompanying QR codes on the stickers if I wanted to dive deeper.
The verdict
Looking to partner with a personal sommelier to help you choose wines? Picked is the perfect choice. If you’re ready to dive deeper into your likes and dislikes and want access to a massive selection, this pricier subscription is well worth it.
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The best small-business wine club:
Smith & Vine Wine of the Month
What I got
My experience
I included Smith & Vine because, as it’s my favorite store local to me, I was stoked to learn that owners Patrick Watson and Michele Pravda had expanded their subscription service nationally. There’s no fancy quiz or confusing levels of membership here. Just head to the website, pick three or six bottles (averaging about $22 each), click the delivery option and away you go.
The three bottles I received were exciting because I never would have chosen them myself, which is precisely the point. And because I could count on expertise like Watson’s time as a sommelier at two of New York City’s top wine-forward restaurants (Lupa and Raoul’s), I knew I was drinking something special. White wine in November is not my usual modus operandi but the funky, unfiltered pet-nat felt like a tropical vacation and paired perfectly with a cheeseboard of smelly brie, funky blue cheese and sharp asiago. A small booklet with tasting notes also came along with the wine.
Member perks
I loved the choice of just three bottles because, unless a holiday’s coming up or I’m hosting a dinner party, I don’t necessarily need half a dozen every month. And because this is a small, respected wine shop with experienced buyers, you know you’re getting boutique wines with an established provenance – many of which are just not available from a more commercial website.
The verdict
Looking for a subscription that offers a modest monthly commitment while promising adventurous bottles? Smith & Vine makes the most of its sommelier-backed expertise, assuring a trusted curation. Plus, you’ll be supporting a small business, which is always a plus.
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The best natural and organic wine club:
Helen’s Wines Seasonal 6 Pack
What I got
A valpolicella classico from Italy
An orange vital from Portugal
My experience
What makes Helen’s Wines so lovable: not only the natural, organic selections sourced mainly from small-production vineyards, but also the club’s bricks-and-mortar retail shops located throughout California. I appreciated the niche feeling that gave, like I was lucky to be a member. I was able to choose from multiple price tiers as well as shipping frequencies. The highest tiers would give me access to limited bottles, but even at the lowest level I ended up choosing, every bottle felt artisanal and selective.
The Portuguese orange, a Coz’s Pop branco macerado, was the perfect poster child for natural wine, boasting hand-harvested grapes and zero sulfites. A funky, aromatic orange wine, we poured this with a meal of mussels and fries – and I can’t wait to reorder it when the weather gets warmer. The box also had educational materials that felt more like a paper menu from a take-out joint, but they were also chock-full of helpful information on serving temperatures and pairings - including how cold to keep the bottles (65F minimum for the rioja, thank you very much).
Member perks
Helen’s is the most customizable of the clubs we tried, thanks to the varied price tiers and delivery cadences. Owner Helen Johannesen is a noted sommelier and picks every wine herself, which makes the subscription feel all the more approachable. One thing to note, however, is that shipping is not included, so you will pay a minimum of $25 extra with every shipment.
The verdict
If you’re interested in exploring the wild world of natural, organic wines, Helen’s offers a super-curated journey that feels fun and adventurous. You’ll pay more for shipping, but that can be offset by the level of customization, which is the best in any of the subscription services we tested.
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The best sparkling wine club:
Roederer Estate Sparkling Club
What I got
My experience
It may seem pricey at about $38 per bottle of Roederer sparkling wine, but this subscription is only delivered twice a year. I am a huge fan of this family-run sparkling wine powerhouse and appreciate that its operation is thriving in the consistently underestimated Anderson valley in California wine country. You can opt for six bottles, 12 bottles or six magnums, though I stuck to the least expensive tier of six bottles.
The 2019 L’Ermitage brut was our favorite, with a light, creamy texture that poured well with everything we ate with it. The well-produced information booklet had an introduction from winemaker Arnaud Weyrich and details about each bottle, including the percentage of aged wine, tasting notes and retail price. I loved flipping through the explanations of what made each wine worth the pour.
Member perks
Shipments come in April and October, and I found having a small arsenal of my favorite sparkling wine to bring out for the holidays, be it Mother’s Day or New Year’s Eve, was, well, intoxicating. For anyone in proximity to the winery (or with plans to visit), a membership also includes free tastings and wine tours, including access to the revamped tasting room at the flagship Roederer Estate in Philo. You also have access to rare library vintages (available after your first shipment), as well as limited edition and special production sparklers and wines.
The verdict
With an infrequent yet diverse shipment of wines from a well-respected producer, the Roederer Estate membership is great for putting a few bottles away in the wine fridge to bring out for special occasions. And though it’s pricier, it’s worth noting that a single bottle of the vintage 2019 L’ermitage brut rosé would cost $115 if bought separately.
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The best wine club for casual wine drinkers:
Winc
What I got
A pinot noir from New Zealand
My experience
Winc provided a short palate profile quiz to help pinpoint my likes and dislikes. Though not particularly in-depth, it was fun, with questions such as: “Skittles or M&Ms?” and “What are you ordering next from Uber Eats?” Winc subscriptions differ from others because they have no set pricing. I ordered the six-bottle membership, and each bottle cost from $13 to $20 (the price depends on what the algorithm chooses for you or whether you pick your own wines).
With the wintry weather in New York City, we enjoyed the classic, almost jammy notes of the Guest Check cabernet sauvignon, because sometimes you just want a wine that feels like a warm hug. It went spectacularly with a Sunday night dinner of beef bourguignon.
Member perks
The subscription levels are customizable up to 12 bottles. You can also just order one of Winc’s wine “packs” or skip a month. The wine is always 20% off once you’ve subscribed, and you can order á la carte, though if you order fewer than four bottles, you will be charged a delivery fee. Want more info on each wine, including tasting notes and descriptions? Winc provides a good amount of info in its packages, but you’ll have to head online for educational notes. Another thing to keep in mind is that canceling is not easy: you’ll have to either message or call customer service – you won’t be able to do it straight from your account.
The verdict
With the freedom to order as much as you want when you want it, and the cheeky quiz to get you started, Winc is an excellent choice for those who want a relaxed start into wine tasting – and more bottles for less. You won’t get a huge discount on your first order, but it does stay steadily affordable month to month.
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The best wine club for serious explorers:
Sommsation Rebel Wine Club
What I got
A Rhone-style châteauneuf du pape
My experience
Sommsation is definitely a more refined, curated experience, and each month brings three bottles from a single sommelier-approved winery. Mine came from California’s Halter Ranch winery. Though the number of bottles is fewer than that of other subscriptions, the included glossy educational booklet was extremely inviting, with specific details on the winery and region that let me further dig into the small-batch production. I loved reading the fine print about Halter ranch’s origins and organic parameters and how the estate in Paso Robles is an homage to the owner’s mother.
Oh, how we enjoyed sipping the 2021 châteauneuf du pape. And thanks to the booklet, I know that it has all the sweet, savory balance of a Rhone red while retaining the subtlety of the winery’s high-elevation and calcium-heavy soil.
Member perks
Shipping is free, and if the $50 per bottle is too pricey for a monthly delivery, you can also choose the quarterly option. Like Picked by Wine.com, you can also take advantage of a personal online sommelier to get more specifics or ask questions about the wines or their terroir. I also appreciated that every shipment comes straight from the winery and not the giant warehouse that a larger company may have to rely on.
The verdict
Sommsation is all about discovery, deep education and highly curated bottles. And for this, you’ll pay a heftier price tag. Of course, you’ll also gain access to vetted sommeliers who will help you with anything wine-related – from walking you through questions and concerns about your delivery to helping you choose more bottles.
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The best sustainable wine club:
Plonk Mixed Organic Wine Club
What I got
My experience
Plonk is a playful choice, highlighting sustainable, minimal-intervention wineries from around the world. (Minimal intervention is what it sounds like: as little as possible human meddling during the natural winemaking process.) Instead of giving a quiz, it let me choose from specific subscriptions of all-red, all-white or mixed. I chose the Mixed Organic Wine Club at $34 per bottle, though I’ll probably switch to all reds for the next few cold months.
The wine came with an educational sheet with tasting notes and pairings – and even actual recipes to match your wine with. I liked that Plonk highlighted its values and experimental beating heart. This came through loud and clear with the fun and refreshing 2021 lunaria pettirosce cerasuolo d’Abruzzo from Italy, which billed itself as a “winter rosé”.
Member perks
Once you choose your box, you can customize how many bottles you want to receive, which I think is always a nice perk. Though I chose four this time, I may go in and switch it up to six or even 12 for the holidays. Shipping is free, and you can easily pause, skip or cancel your subscription at any time. Like many other more expensive clubs, Plonk highlights its founder and owner as its chief curator – in this case, Etty Klein, who has a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification, the most popular wine-training qualification. The supplementary recipes in each shipment are a nice bonus, too.
The verdict
Plonk differentiates itself with its high level of curation and unconventional choices. It asks you to put your trust in it. I’d repurchase more wines from this delivery than I would from some of the lower-priced, less curated subscriptions – which is of note, considering it was also less tailored to my specific wants. It may be pricier than some of the picks in this list, but I found it was worth it.
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Frequently asked questions about wines
Who are wine clubs best for?
Anyone who enjoys or wants to learn more about wine. Subscriptions have helped make wines more accessible and discoverable to people – and helped guide and surprise newcomers, as noted by Tim Stuyts, a sommelier and vice-president of food and beverage at the New York City restaurant LenLen. “Wine clubs tend to work best for people who value curation, discovery, convenience and unique experiences over simply buying what’s familiar,” he says. He’s also seen millennials and gen Z drawn to environmentally friendly and healthy options.
What should you consider when picking a wine club?
Consider how you’d like your wines chosen – by sommeliers, winemakers, a quiz or something else. Stuyts and Hedges recommend thinking about what you want out of the subscription: to learn more about your own wine preferences? Choose a subscription with detailed tasting notes or pairing suggestions. Does sustainability matter to you? Choose a subscription focused on organic or low-intervention wines. You might want to explore a certain category of wine, such as rare varietals and ones from lesser-known regions, or maybe a budget-friendly and flexible subscription matters most to you.
How do you choose ‘good’ wines?
In addition to those quizzes and algorithms, Stuyts suggests looking into clubs that highlight tasting notes, food pairings or stories about the producers, all of which can make it easier to understand what you are drinking. Hedges recommends SommSelect’s expert-curated selection for those who’d like “quality without the guesswork”. Other standouts for him: Firstleaf, thanks to its personalized quiz, and Winc, for its “easy, approachable style”.
At the end of the day, the best wine is simply the one you prefer – the one that tastes best to you personally – and the process of figuring that out should be enjoyable, too. “A subscription should ultimately be fun,” Stuyts says.
