Wine Clubs are an increasingly popular service. They allow you to broaden your wine knowledge, taste a diverse range of wines, and access a variety of wines that are not typically available at your local liquor store. Wine Clubs regularly provides a series of personally selected wine bottles, delivered conveniently to your front door.
At The Wine Club Reviews, we have a team of experts with first-hand knowledge of the wine club industry. Our in-depth review process ensures that all clubs and their wines are tried, tested, and reviewed.
As part of our review service, we also look at the best wine clubs for different preferences. That’s why our team extensively retested each of these services this year to bring you our expertly curated list of the top wine clubs in 2024 for those who enjoy Californian wines.
Let’s look closer at our rankings of what we believe are the best wine clubs for Californian wines.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best California Wine Subscription Services:
- California Wine Club – #1 Boutique California Wine of the Month Club
- Firstleaf – Best Personalized Award-Winning CA Wine Club
- Nakedwines.com – Best for California-Based Wines, Straight from the Winemakers to You
- Bright Cellars – Best Premium International & California Wine Subscription
- Winc – Best for Personal Wine Picks to Choose Month by Month
- Wine Awesomeness – Best for Affordable Wines from California, Washington & Oregon
- Gold Medal – Best for Platinum Selection of California Wines
In This Review, We Gathered the Best Wine Club California Options to Try in 2024
1. California Wine Club – #1 Boutique California Wine of the Month Club
Pros
- Features top California family wineries and small-batch labels
- Personalized Wine Consultants
- VIP tours of featured California wineries
- $1 shipping on all 12-bottle club orders
Cons
- No option to customize your wine selections
- Can’t find the labels in most stores or online due to the small production size
About California Wine Club
The California Wine Club is dedicated to introducing members to small boutique wineries across California. Its focus is on connecting customers with artisan wineries from all over the state that they wouldn’t usually have access to. The club offers various membership levels to cater to different preferences and budgets.
Members benefit from VIP tours of featured wineries, a personalized wine consultant service, and significant discounts on reorders. Additionally, the club emphasizes personalized experiences, ensuring that wines are tailored to individual tastes.
What Do You Get?
Choose from the Premier Series, Signature Series, or the Aged Cabernet Series. Select between 2 and 12 bottles per shipment, and choose whether you want all white, all red, or a mix of both.
You can also shop their wine store to select one-time shipments of wines from all over the world.
What Do Customers Think of California Wine Club?
Subscribers love the selection of small family wineries and the satisfaction guarantee with the membership deliveries. One customer shared, “They offer a satisfaction guarantee…if California wine from small family producers is your jam.”
2. Firstleaf – Best Personalized Award-Winning CA Wine Club
Pros
- Personalized taste matching algorithm that improves over time
- A large variety of wines from Napa, Sonoma, and more
- Fun informational cards come with each shipment with pairing notes
- Affordable introductory offers and free shipping on your first box
Cons
- You can only order 6 or 12-bottle shipments
- Free shipping is only included on orders of 12 bottles
About First Leaf
Firstleaf Wine Club is an affordably priced, fully personalized wine club offering an extensive portfolio of award-winning wines, many of which are sourced from California. By partnering directly with wineries and winemakers, Firstleaf can offer wines at 40%-60% off normal retail prices.
The club’s introductory shipment includes six bottles tailored to your preferences that you can also customize, which helps establish your taste profile and rate wines for future deliveries. The flexible service allows members to customize their shipments and choose delivery frequency, making it a convenient and enjoyable way to explore Californian wines.
What Do You Get?
Shop their large wine store to curate your own bundles with 30% off, or select from one of four club plans: Classic Plan, Preferred Plan, Premier Plan, or the Fine Wine Plan to have personalized selections curated for you.
Select from a 6 or 12-bottle shipment and a delivery frequency between 2 and 12 weeks (3 months), with the option to pause or skip at any time. They also have excellent wine gift card options.
What Do Customers Think of Firstleaf?
Customers love Firstleaf’s great selection, easy-to-customize, and affordable wine deliveries. One customer shared, “Join a subscription wine club! I used to have one through wine.com, but now with Firstleaf. It’s great!”
Another subscriber wrote, “I think a lot of people should consider them. They seem to partner with interesting growers, not by a mile the supermarket swill people are referencing.”
3. Naked Wines – Best for California-Based Wines, Straight from the Winemakers to You
Pros
- Access to independent winemakers with exclusive wines
- Excellent customer service and satisfaction guarantee
- Great value and an extensive California wine selection
- Fully customized with flexible subscription options
Cons
- Labels can typically not be found outside of the club
- The first shipment is selected for you and is not customizable
About Naked Wines
Naked Wines supports independent winemakers worldwide by offering subscriptions and club memberships for discounted access to unique wine selections. They cut out the middleman by connecting subscribers directly to small producers and lesser-known winemakers.
Their selection includes some great California wineries that you could not access in stores. You can become an “angel” member or choose from two subscription models.
What Do You Get?
You can either shop the wine store as a one-time buyer or join the membership to become an Angel. In this case, you pay $40 monthly into your wine account to place future orders and receive up to 60% off wine selections.
They also offer two subscription services: the Wine Genie, where you receive 12 bottles of personalized wine based on quiz results, and the quarterly Fine Wine Club, where you receive six bottles every quarter of the finest wines in their selection.
What Do Customers Think of Naked Wines?
Naked Wines fans like the company’s unique approach to supporting winemakers all over the world and the selection of wines it offers. One customer wrote, “I enjoy my Angel membership at Naked Wines. It’s a unique setup and great organization, IMO.”
Another subscriber shared that Naked Wines “has the artisan touch of having real winemakers—winemakers from wineries you have heard of—making real wine at a reasonable price point.”
4. Bright Cellars – Best Premium International & California Wine Subscription
Pros
- Affordable pricing structure with member-only discounts
- Free shipping and flexibility to skip shipments when needed
- It uses an advanced algorithm to match wines to taste preferences
- Personalized wine selection with a lot of California wines
Cons
- You can only re-purchase wines in large quantities
- Not as many customization options as in other services
About Bright Cellars
Bright Cellars offers an impressive selection of Californian wines to make the wine experience enjoyable and hassle-free. They use a unique pairing algorithm developed by MIT graduates to match wines to their customers’ palates. Bright Cellars’ monthly membership delivers 4, 6, or 12 bottles of wine tailored to your taste preferences so that you can rate and enjoy better matches over time.
Their service includes a “Delight Guarantee,” ensuring that if you are not satisfied with a wine, it will be replaced free of charge in your next delivery. Bright Cellars also allows members to skip deliveries when needed, adding more flexibility to their service.
What Do You Get?
Choose between a 4, 6, or 12-bottle shipment to be received every 4, 6, 8, or 12 weeks. You can also add the Sip of the Month for an extra bottle selected as a fan favorite or a new offering.
You can also purchase wine anytime from the online shop.
What Do Customers Think of Bright Cellars?
Customers like the ability to taste and try new wines they might not have selected otherwise. One subscriber shared, “I’ve used BrightCellars for a year. I think it’s a fine, convenient service for beginner wine enthusiasts like me. I’ve only disliked one or two bottles. I’m still on a journey to taste as many different wines as I can, so I think this is a fun way to do it.”
Another customer wrote, “I ended up going with Bright Cellars. I like the idea of them sending wines based on my taste preferences and I go through wine pretty quickly, so I think 4 bottles is a good fit.”
5. Winc – Best for Personal Wine Picks to Choose Month by Month
Pros
- Personalized shipments with lots of customization options
- Satisfaction guaranteed and fast delivery
- Affordable subscriptions and high-quality wines
- Professionally curated selection of California wines
Cons
- Shipping is only free if orders are over $50
- Subscriptions are based on wine credits that you redeem
About Winc
Winc focuses on providing a personalized and enjoyable wine experience, with a strong emphasis on Californian wines. Membership involves a short quiz to establish your taste profile, which is then used to tailor monthly recommendations of four bottles.
The flexible service allows members to choose their wine type, skip deliveries, or cancel anytime. Additionally, Winc supports eco-friendly practices and offers a satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that members only pay for wines they enjoy.
What Do You Get?
Monthly subscriptions give you credits to be applied to your chosen wines or the recommended ones based on quiz results. Unused credits rollover so you can order monthly or save them up.
You can also order directly from the store if you don’t want to sign up for member pricing.
What Do Customers Think of Winc?
Customers think Winc offers an excellent service to those new to wine who want to try new things to develop their palate. One review stated, “If you are starting as a total novice and don’t want to do much research on something it is a fun way to explore a subject through the subscription service…because sometimes they take excess production from some decent wineries, wine makers etc and sell them at a lower price to their consumers.”
6. Wine Awesomeness – Best for Affordable Wines from California, Washington & Oregon
Pros
- Great selection of West Coast wines at affordable prices
- Curated wine selections are perfect for adventurous palates
- Flexible subscription terms and fast shipping
- Options to choose your own or have them selected for you
Cons
- Some of the private-label wines are hard to find information on
- Shipping is only free on 12-bottle shipments
About Wine Awesomeness
Wine Awesomeness is a flexible monthly wine subscription service that helps subscribers find new and exotic wines with great selections from California and the West Coast. You can pick all your own wines or have them curated for you based on your preferences.
You don’t have to be a member to purchase from their extensive online store, but members do receive 20% off any store purchases. They carry a large selection of high-quality California wines at a great price. Plus, their subscriptions are flexible, with lots of customization options.
What Do You Get?
You can shop the wine store as a one-time buyer, purchase wine gifts, or select to join the Discovery Wine Club. Club members choose between 3, 6, or 12 bottles each every 1, 2, or 3 months. You can select all your own or have the service select them for you.
What Do Customers Think of Wine Awesomeness?
Customers love the ability to expand their palates with the adventuresome curated collections. Many brand-name wines are also featured for a great price. Their customer service teams are very helpful, and they make it easy to manage your subscription however you want to, skipping deliveries anytime or changing your preferences.
7. Gold Medal Wine Club – Best for Platinum Selection of California Wines
Pros
- Carry only highly-rated gold-medal winning wines
- Each box comes with tasting notes and information on the wines
- Easy to add your favorite wines to upcoming orders
- Features hard-to-find boutique California wineries
Cons
- No personalization options
- Shipping costs are not included
About Gold Medal Wine Club
Gold Medal Wine Club connects customers to small artisanal wineries that feature hard-to-find and high-quality wines. They specialize in California wines hand-picked by collectors after rigorous tasting and selection criteria.
Their collection includes some of the most revered names in the wine industry that are highly regarded. Depending on your tastes and budget, you can select from a few different membership tiers. The memberships also make great gifts for loved ones.
What Do You Get?
Choose from the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Wine Club subs. Select between 2 to 12 bottle shipments to be delivered every 1 or 3 months.
You can shop the online wine store anytime without a membership and find a great selection of white and red wines.
What Do Customers Think of Gold Medal Wine Club?
Customers like the different club membership options and the versatility in the wine shipments. One subscriber shared, “I’ve been a wine drinker and involved with the wine industry for many years. My personal favorite wine of the month club is Gold Medal Wine Club. They source and select really good wines from all over the world and they have six different clubs to choose from. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or an avid collector of rare library wines, they have something for everyone.”
Another wrote, “Several wine clubs act as distributors for small wineries where they’ve been abandoned by large-scale distributors — two from this group that are worth exploring are The California Wine Club and Gold Medal Wine Club.”
Tips for Choosing the Right CA Wine Club
The state of California accounts for nearly 90% of American wine production. If California were a country, it would be the world’s fourth-largest wine producer! So, how do you choose the right club to curate wines from this region? Here are some top considerations for picking the best club for you.
Check Wine Variety
Some clubs may feature certain regions or types of wine that may or may not suit your palate. They may focus on smaller artisanal wineries or offer a larger selection of wines from all over the world. Look for one that best caters to your wine preferences.
Calculate the Cost Per-Bottle
Sometimes, the pricing of certain wines may not be the best value, while other times, it may be a steal. Consider the quality of the wines and the price per bottle to determine if you are getting a good deal. Find a wine club within your budget that offers high-quality wines for a reasonable price.
Check Extra Fees
Hidden costs, like cancellation fees or higher shipping costs, can often be present, especially depending on your area. Check the shipping costs and see if there are discounts or free shipping offered on bulk purchases. Often, there is free shipping for larger orders.
Check Satisfaction Guarantee
Most reputable wine clubs offer a satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like wine, you can frequently replace it with another kind at no additional cost. Nothing is worse than opening a bottle and finding it has quality issues or is just not something you enjoy.
Check if Delivery is Available in Your Area
Certain states do not legally allow alcohol delivery, and some clubs may not deliver to your location. Check the delivery areas before ordering. Most clubs will deliver to your home or business location, depending on what is easiest for you. You will need someone 21 or older to sign for the delivery.
ALWAYS Look for Coupons
There are always coupons and introductory offers to try new wine club subscriptions. Look for the best deals and select a wine club that offers these discounts so you can decide if you like the service before committing fully. Check out our full list of wine club coupons to get the best deals!
Why Trust Us? Our Methodology
Here at The Wine Club Reviews, we take wine seriously. Our team of passionate wine connoisseurs thoroughly tests various wine clubs to bring comprehensive information to consumers so they can make the most educated decisions.
We want to make it easy for you to determine which clubs might be the best fit for you. We test multiple wines from each service for taste, quality, and variety. We order real subscriptions to review all the important components of the wine club service—such as accessibility, ease of use, types of plans offered, flexibility, and pricing. This results in personal, hands-on, unbiased reviews that offer honest, factual information.
Final Thoughts
Wine clubs offer a convenient and affordable way to try a diverse range of Californian wines. By using a wine club, you will have access to wines from a large range of family-run and boutique wineries throughout the entire Californian wine region.
Wine Clubs are a great way to broaden your wine knowledge and enjoy a diverse and affordable wine-tasting experience. Whether you want to curate your own selections or have them picked for you, there is something for everyone.
