I like to think of myself as a wine enthusiast, not a wino.
Wine clubs are illegal here. The liquor store lobby is super strong. The legislature made them legal last year, but there was some loophole, which stopped the distribution.
We have some favorite wines from the wineries on the south coast of MA/RI. Since we can't have them shipped directly form the winery, we have our local liquor store order a case for us, we get a huge discount for buying a case, and they can get anything we want. They have tastings all of the time. It's a great store, even though I have a friend who calls it "the bad boys hang out," as that's where all the "bad boys" hung out when she was in high school.
2015 Trek Silque SSL
Specialized Oura
2011 Guru Praemio
Specialized Oura
2017 Specialized Ariel Sport
A. Rafanelli in Healdsburg (or Geyserville) CA is the top one. They do Zin and Cab. I think it took us 2 years to get on the list. It isn't a subscription per se, but we have an opportunity to buy several bottles/cases, depending on the limits, every year.
Another one we wont give up is Talty - same location.
I don't know if either have a website.
Sarah
When it's easy, ride hard; when it's hard, ride easy.
2011 Volagi Liscio
2010 Pegoretti Love #3 "Manovelo"
2011 Mercian Vincitore Special
2003 Eddy Merckx Team SC - stolen
2001 Colnago Ovalmaster Stars and Stripes
If you're looking at California, Robert Sinskey wines are amazing. We visited their winery a few years ago and pick up a bottle whenever we can find one locally (which isn't often). They were working on biodynamic certification at the time - I believe they have it now.
We missed the chance to get into their wine club before there was a waiting list, unfortunately.
Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler
I don't have to worry about shipping, I receive all shipments at my job and the CEO is in two wine clubs so getting liquor at work is okay (just not drinking on the job). The one I am leaning towards is a winery I went to in NM, they ship 6 bottles quarterly. What I like about them is you can join the "Vinters Choice", "Sweets", "Reds" or "White Club". Shipping is included in the cost ranging from $115-155. What I haven't inquired about is whether you can say to substitute something if you don't like a wine, I know one of my mom's you can. And I also don't know if you can switch, probably not since some ship different months. In the summer I like sweets, in the winters red.
Amanda
2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"
You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan
Curious - what do they mean by "sweets"? That makes me think of dessert wine, like Sauternes or Muscat. Is it a regional thing? I have never heard of it here.
Sarah
When it's easy, ride hard; when it's hard, ride easy.
2011 Volagi Liscio
2010 Pegoretti Love #3 "Manovelo"
2011 Mercian Vincitore Special
2003 Eddy Merckx Team SC - stolen
2001 Colnago Ovalmaster Stars and Stripes
Riesling, Muscat, Rose wines that aren't dry styled, sometimes they have residual sugar. Some wineries break them down as off dry, some call them sweet, some don't separate them at all. It isn't always something like Port though that has been fortified with liquor, in the TX/NM wineries those are classified as Dessert wines. Although those are included in the particular wineries "sweet" grouping for club.
Usually I like the ones that are a hint of sweetness, great with spicy foods or a little more enjoyable to drink alone (for me) than drier wines. They are lighter than dry wines, this one is my favorite from the winery in NM. It isn't a pure sweet to me, where you taste a sugary almost fruit juice style.
Amanda
2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"
You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan