Thursday, October 31, 2024

Wine Clubs: Compare


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Pros
affordable, flexible membership; up to 42% off winery direct prices; great discounts on reorders; previous selections archived on website; referral bonuses
Premium, limited-supply wines at exceptional values; strict selection process; previous wine selections publicly archived on website; great, responsive customer service; flexible membership; great discounts on reorders; excellent discounts on reordering (up to 35%); referral bonus; gifts are beautifully packaged; if you request red-only shipments, you'll still get 2 different kinds of red wine
100% satisfaction guarantee; interesting bottles of red wine at a good value; encourages a lot of member feedback; friendly, helpful customer service is easily accessible by phone or live chat on website
Cons
limited to California wines; red-only and white-only shipments will be same bottles; $2 surcharge on red-only shipments
Doesn't offer instant email notification for gift recipients
Previously featured wines are not publicly archived on Vinesse's website; no reordering discounts offered; exaggerated marketing ($29 - $35 bottle of red wine is "super-premium"?); $2.50 surcharge to ship to a residence; doesn't offer gift notification by email or traditional mail; currently cannot ship to Utah and South Dakota
Shipping Included
No
No
No
Cost per Bottle (Est.)
$17.50 or $15.75
$39.50 - $49.50
$29 - $35
Membership Minimum
No
No
No
Wine Options
Red, White, or Combination
Red or Combination
Red
Domestic and/or International
Domestic (California)
Domestic (California)
Mostly Domestic but some International
Selection
California wines that have been produced in limited quantities from some of the best family-owned and operated wineries in the state.
Premium, hard-to-find California wines that have received at least a 90-point rating from a national wine publication and won multiple medals at major wine competitions.
Variety of "big, bold" reds from boutique wineries primarily in the US and occasionally from other countries around the world.
Newsletter
Yes
Yes
Yes
Shipping Options
Monthly, Bimonthly or Quarterly
Monthly, Bimonthly or Quarterly
Monthly (plus 2 holiday shipments), Bimonthly (plus 1 holiday shipment) or Quarterly (plus 1 holiday shipment)
Shipping Details
First shipment will arrive within 7 - 10 days of placing your order. Subsequent shipments will arrive sometime after the 15th of the month depending where you live.
First shipment will arrive within 7 - 10 days of placing your order. Subsequent shipments will arrive sometime after the 15th of the month depending where you live.
First shipment will arrive with 3 - 10 days of placing your order. Subsequent shipments are sent out around the 15th of each month and will arrive with 1 - 8 business days depending on how far away from CA you live.
Gift Information
Offers free gift cards to notify gift recipients. Also sells gift baskets and wine accessories that you can add to your order.
Offers a free gift card that you can customize and include in your 1st shipment. The bottles are beautifully wrapped and packaged in gift box that features specially commissioned artwork of wine country on the outside.
Vinesse doesn't offer gift notification by email or traditional mail.
Extras
Offers the PLUS! Program that allows current members to add an extra bottle of high quality wine to each shipment for an additional $18 -$22.
Offers the PLUS! Program that allows current members to add an extra bottle of high quality wine to each shipment for an additional $35 - $45 (or $39 if you pre-pay).
None
Satisfaction Guarantee
No satisfaction guarantee, but they will replace any bottles you receive that are corked/damaged at no additional charge. They will refund you for any returned unopened bottles unless they are unable to restock the wine back into inventory for any reason. You can cancel your membership at any time without incurring cancellation fees.
No satisfaction guarantee, but they will replace any bottles you receive that are corked/damaged at no additional charge. They will refund you for any returned unopened bottles unless they are unable to restock the wine back into inventory for any reason. You can cancel your membership at any time without incurring cancellation fees.
Yes, Vinesse offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee! If you don't like a wine or receive a corked bottle, you just need to report it within 30 days and Vinesse will replace it or refund your money. You can also cancel your membership at any time without incurring any cancellation fees.
 
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