If 2020 has driven you to increase your wine consumption at home, you're not alone. Nielsen reported in August that wine sales increased 17.3 percent in the last year.
But if you're not yet comfortable making the trip up to Wine Country right now, joining a wine club can be the perfect way to ensure you never run out of fermented juice.
Whether you're looking to buy local, discover new producers or unusual grape varieties, or expand your palate to new, international horizons until travel opens back up, here are six unique clubs—all shipping high-quality wine right to your door—to join this fall.
(Courtesy of We Drink Bubbles)
We Drink Bubbles
If you're anything like us, you believe that Champagne should not be reserved for weddings and New Year's Eve and you'll want to snag a membership to the We Drink Bubbles club. California native and founder Shiloh Caffrey hand picks premium and boutique Champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world (think Spain, Germany, South America, and more). Shipments consist of three bottles for just $100, and you can choose your own frequency—skip a month whenever you need to, though we don't really understand why you'd want to. Members also get 10 percent off additional bottle purchases, access to limited releases, and special event invites. Order now to get your first shipment in time for Thanksgiving. Sparkling wine, after all, is the ultimate turkey pairing. // wedrinkbubbles.com
Maker
Maker is changing the canned wine game with one of the first canned wine clubs and, perhaps, the only one focused on premium canned wine. The company partners with small, independent winemakers and producers—like Chris Christensen (recently featured on Wine Enthusiast's 40 Under 40 list) of Bodkin Wines in Healdsburg and Handley Cellars in Anderson Valley—to can select wines into slim, lightweight, and eco-friendly vessels that are equivalent to one-third of a bottle. Join the Can Club and you'll receive quarterly 12- or 24-can shipments, priced $99 and $180 respectively. Members also receive discounts and special event invites and can text-order wines, provide feedback, and maybe even join Maker's tasting panel. // makerwine.com
Acme Fine Wines
This small, women-owned and -run wine shop tucked away from Main Street in St. Helena is the go-to wine shop of local industry pros in Napa Valley. No grocery store wines here; Acme focuses on exclusive releases from mostly small yet sought after producers (rarely will a producer exceed 500 cases and sometimes it's just one barrel or even a winemaker's side project). The shop also offers four monthly wine clubs, featuring two to three bottles per shipment, for varying tastes and price points. The Kuhuna is made for serious cabernet collectors; Under the Radar helps consumers discover up-and-coming producers before anyone else; Pulse is for the adventurous sipper; and Zippo is great for the glou-glou lover (easy drinking, bright, fresh, and low-alcohol red wines). // acmefinewines.com
(Courtesy of Cellar 503)
Cellar 503
California wine dominates many a Bay Area wine collection, but it might be time to explore some other rising North American wine stars, like Oregon, which has slowly but steadily pushed its way into the spotlight over the last decade. Cellar 503 sources wines from small, high quality producers and, while there will of course be lots of pinot noir (Oregon's signature) on offer, you'll be able to discover many other varietals, from primitivo and pinot gris to gamay noir and nebbiolo—from all 21 Oregon wine regions. Shipments are centered around a theme, like "Unusual Varietals" or "BBQ Wines," and start as low as $45 for two bottles. You can choose whites, reds, or mixed shipments for monthly or quarterly delivery. // cellar503.com
Wines 4 the World
This brand new wine club, founded by Mika Bulmash (another 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 honoree), is one you'll feel extra good about joining. Each shipment—four bottles monthly or bi-monthly for just $99 each—touches on a different theme of social or environmental impact like winemakers of color, women winemakers, and carbon neutral wines. These wines are sourced from all over the world, even South Africa and Brazil, and the best part: shipping is included. // club.wine4theworld.com
Wineries Affected by Wildfires
Many Napa and Sonoma wineries were damaged or destroyed in the recent Glass Fire and one of the best ways to support them as they start to rebuild is to buy wine, or better yet, join their wine club. Consider joining a wine club of majorly affected wineries such as Newton Vineyard, Spring Mountain Vineyards, Burgess Cellars, Fairwinds Estate, and Sherwin Family Vineyards. It's the perfect justification for more-than-usual sipping.
