Members can choose from a box of three, six, or 12 mixed (meaning white, red, rose, sparkling wine, and so on) bottles. MYSA also offers a red-only and orange-only box of four wines. Members can add any bottle from the online shop to an upcoming club order and get 10% off with no additional shipping costs.
What we’d leave: Clearly, MYSA is for more adventurous wine drinkers who are willing to forego having a hand in the curation process—all good—however, we do wish customers had more options for customizing their subscription boxes. Even the most dedicated, knowledgeable natural wine connoisseurs can prefer whites over reds or carry other personal preferences, and this is one wine club that’s not exactly well-suited to the traditional palate as-is. But there’s hope: MYSA notes that custom box options are on the way this summer.
Betty Gold Kider
How we tested the best wine subscription services
We limited our roundup of the best wine clubs to those that are widely available across the United States. While no wine subscription service is able to ship to all 50 states due to state-specific alcohol shipping laws, we made sure that the wine clubs we tested were available in at least 38. FYI, the states most clubs can’t ship to include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Utah.
An intuitive website with an easy-to-navigate interface is an imperative part of a top-notch wine subscription service. A shopper’s experience online should be simple, straightforward, and not leave them scratching their head about what they just signed up for. There should also be customer service at the ready to help.
To what degree can customers tweak the size and inclusions in the shipments based on personal preference? While we hope that all wines have been vetted by a wine expert or sommelier, many consumers still want the flexibility to choose how many bottles they’ll receive and how often; the same goes for the ability to select between red and white wines (or have a mix).
We didn’t rate wine subscription services based on how much they cost, but we do think it’s important that there is some financial incentive to becoming a member of a wine club that you pay into on a recurring basis, especially if you’re not choosing the bottles yourself. In other words, buying from a wine club should give customers access to bottles that have been marked down rather than up. We also looked into how shipping fees are calculated and whether each service charges an upfront membership (or cancellation) fee.
How wine selections are curated
Let’s all hold hands and agree that there are a lot of people we’d rather not be in charge of ordering our next glass of wine for us. Hence why the curation process is one of the most important differentiators between a wine club you’ll want to commit to long-term and one that leaves you underwhelmed. Ideally, a sommelier is involved in stocking your wine box. This is especially key if wines are sourced from off-the-beaten-path wineries new to the average consumer. Additionally, we preferred wine clubs that are transparent about their curation process.
Of course, any good wine club should be shipping you high-quality wines. While wine drinkers’ palates are hugely diverse, we tasted bottles from each shipment to ensure there were no “off” aromas, that the wine was as described (light vs. full-bodied, acidic vs. tannic…) and, ideally, delicious. Finally, we looked into the range of wine-growing regions that each service sources from—and appreciated those that go beyond the classic France, Italy, and California wine combo.
What factors should I consider when choosing the best wine subscription service?
There are a great deal of reasons to sign up for a wine subscription service. For one, wine clubs eliminate the (unnecessary, albeit omnipresent for some) intimidation factor of choosing a bottle of wine. No stress: The curation has been done for you. But how can you trust that the box of wine bottles that show up on your doorstep will even be palatable?
How wine boxes are curated
It’s important to recognize that beauty—particularly when it comes to wine preferences—is in the eye of the beholder. Some solely sip tannic reds; others tend towards buttery Chardonnays or effervescent, funky-flavored Pét-Nats. This is why we recommend wine clubs that enlist wine experts (such as a certified sommelier) to make the selections that you’re ultimately paying for upfront. This may mean an expert has vetted every bottle available in a subscription service’s marketplace that you ultimately choose from, or that each specific bottle is hand-picked for you by a sommelier.
The “surprise and delight” factor
Ideally, a membership to a wine club is a means to expanding your palate—while it’s absolutely important to know you can trust your subscription service to ship you wines you’ll enjoy, we think it’s equally imperative that you get to try (and learn) something new in the process. Much of a wine’s beauty is linked to its terroir, a French term loosely meaning “taste of place,” or the unique characteristics of a specific vintage that can often be traced back to the vineyard’s soil and other environmental factors. The best subscription services leverage the educational element of wine tasting and aim to tell you a story about each vintage. We encourage the wine club curious to seek out services that provide supplemental materials (such as origin stories, pairing suggestions, and tasting notes) on their website; better yet if they’re included with your shipment.
What kind of wine drinker are you?
This is probably the most important question to ask yourself before committing to a wine club. Are you someone who likes to have a strong say in what they’re sipping, or do you prefer the fuss-free “dealer’s choice” route? Are you looking to exclusively sip new-to-you grapes on the regular, or would you prefer to stay in your lane but like the reliability of a recurring box of your favorite wine brands showing up on your doorstep? Do you stick to natural wines or avoid them entirely? Considering what you value most about the experience of drinking wine at home and what types of wine you like best before joining a wine club will go a long way.
Other wine clubs we tested and liked
Pros:
- Brand touts a Perfect Pour Promise: If you’re not completely satisfied with any wine, for any reason, you’ll receive a refund
- Excellent wine markdowns given to members
- Vast selection of wines, including 40 varietals sourced from over 15 wine regions
- Shipments are curated by a team of wine experts
- Fast delivery (two to three days); free shipping
- Memberships can be paused or canceled at any time
Cons:
- Customization is limited. Individual bottle selection isn’t available; customers can’t opt for a shipment containing less than 12 bottles
- No natural wines available; very small selection of organic and sweet wines
- Doesn’t cater to those seeking specific brands
Wine Insiders is one of the longest-standing subscription services—it started shipping curated boxes of wine to doorsteps in 1982. A team of in-house certified wine experts is in charge of stocking Wine Insiders’ marketplace, which is home to hundreds of bottles, including 40 varietals sourced from over 15 wine regions. And many of the offerings are sold at a decently marked-down price, as Wine Insiders partners directly with wineries to eliminate markups for marketing, advertising, and store operations.
New members receive 15 bottles of wine for $89 (that nets out to under $6 a pop) on their first shipment, which includes three “bonus” bottles of higher-end red wines. Following, you can expect a case of a dozen bottles that have been curated by the sommelier team every 12 weeks for $155. While you can’t select specific vintages, you can choose between all reds, all whites, or a mix. While we enjoyed Wine Insiders’ wide selection of wines, markdowns, and money-back guarantee, this service ultimately didn’t make the best-of list because of the lack of flexibility—a dozen bottles of wine is too many to not have a say in what you’re sipping; the likelihood of not liking at least one varietal is high. And what’s worse than wasted wine?
Betty Gold Kider
Pros:
- Eco-friendly paperboard packaging reduces carbon footprint by over 50% compared to glass bottles
- After opening, wine stays fresh for up to four weeks, further boosting the waste-free factor
- Wines are additive-free and low-intervention
- Flexible: Members can choose between monthly or quarterly shipments; you pick which two Juliet varietals they’ll receive in each box
- Intuitive, easy-to-navigate website
- Pause or cancel your membership any time
Cons:
- All wines are sourced from California’s central coast, so little variety offered in terms of region
- Only six varietals to choose from
- Traditionalists who prefer the ritual of opening a bottle may miss that experience
Boxed wine is back and better than ever before, thanks to the sustainability-centric wine subscription service Juliet. The Certified California Sustainable Santa Barbara-based wine company uses proprietary eco-friendly packaging, which reduces the carbon footprint by over 50% when compared to its equivalent in glass bottles. Juliet’s outer package is made from paperboard, which reduces energy and weight during transport and is easily recycled. What’s more, the brand’s low-intervention, additive-free wines stay fresh up to four weeks after opening (which is, generally speaking, about four times the lifespan of a glass bottle).
True to boxed wine form, Juliet’s varietals—Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Orange, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon—come in the form of 1.5-liter magnums, which contain the same amount as two bottles of wine or roughly ten glasses. Wine subscriptions can be shipped every month or quarterly; each box contains two varietals, and members get to choose which of the six they’d like to receive. And before you judge a box by its cover, know that Juliet’s wines are indeed tasty—think beautifully-structured Santa Ynez Sauvignon Blanc that’s rich in grapefruit notes and delicate, fresh strawberry-scented rosé you’ll want to sip poolside all summer.
We recommend Juliet to all sustainability-minded folks who want to stock up for an event or holiday, but due to the limited number of wine options available, we don’t think it’s ideal for wine drinkers that want to invest in a wine subscription service long-term—especially if your palate delights in variety, education, and expansion.
Betty Gold Kider
Pros:
- Smart choice for light drinkers who want to expand their palate without waste or overwhelm
- Each box includes a QR code linking to tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and sommelier-led tasting videos
- Pause or skip any month for any reason
- Subscribers receive a 20% discount on each box
- Good for gifting: you can order a single box, or prepay for a 3- or 6-month gift membership
- After tasting, members can purchase full bottles of their favorite wines at a discount
- Shipments are curated by a sommelier
- Aesthetic packaging
Cons:
- Not ideal for hosting or bringing to a dinner party
- Traditionalists who prefer the ritual of opening a bottle may miss that experience
- Pricey (given that you’re only receiving six four-ounce glasses of wine per shipment)
- Very limited customization and flexibility options—members don’t have a say in what they’re shipped or how often (and all memberships are monthly; no more, no less)
- Little transparency about what wines are offered; unclear if natural or organic options are available
Rather than receiving full bottles, Vinebox subscribers receive six by-the-glass (3.3-ounce) portions of wines to sample. Whether you hate to waste wine (especially when sipping solo), can’t stand the multi-glass hangover, or prefer to sample a few varietals per drinking occasion, Vinebox’s single-serve pours provide your palate with variety without any pressure to finish a bottle. Monthly boxes include six sommelier-curated wines from regions around the globe, with a focus on wines from Italy, France, Spain, and California.
Vinebox is a unique and highly experiential subscription service, but ultimately, it probably won’t fit the bill if you’re a wine drinker in search of a wine club that’s going to expand your palate or introduce you to new regions. The value is also not great—despite the pretty packaging, each sample of wine is teensy (think half a glass), so it’s challenging to split one portion between two people and still feel like you had a full tasting experience. No judgement, but we’re partial to wine clubs that aren’t geared towards drinking alone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A wine club, often referred to as a wine subscription service, is a membership-based program that ships various bottles of wine to your doorstep on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, or at another predetermined interval). In addition to eliminating the intimidation factor you may feel when wine shopping and keeping your cellar stocked with a solid array of bottles, wine clubs are a great way to expand your wine education and try new varieties tailored to your taste preferences. Depending on your flexibility and palate, you can sign up for a wine subscription that’s been curated for you by a sommelier or go for one that lets you choose your own adventure.
How much does the average wine club cost?
Cost varies significantly among wine clubs, largely because some send two bottles and others send a dozen-plus. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $150 (or more) per shipment, depending on the quantity and quality of the wines you want to sample. Some subscription services promise heavily marked-down bottles; others focus more on introducing their members to unique, high-quality, off-the-beaten-path varietals.
Are wine subscriptions worth it?
Yes—but only if you find a wine club that fits your lifestyle, personal habits, and flavor preferences. If you’re someone who genuinely enjoys sampling new-to-you styles of wine and tends to serve and/or sip it frequently at home, you will likely benefit from a subscription service. The same can be said for folks who buy wine on the regular (who needs one more errand to run?) and, perhaps most importantly, those who value wine education. If you rarely drink wine at home and you tend to stick to the same brands when you do uncork a bottle, a wine club is probably not for you.
What is natural wine, anyway?
If this topical category of wine is new to you, don’t sweat it—the definition of natural wine is relatively ambiguous. Generally speaking, the term refers to wines that are made without additives. While vague, this tends to mean that no preservatives, sulfites, herbicides, colorants, acidifiers, enhancements, or chemicals have been used in the winemaking (and grape growing) process. While many—if not most—natural wines are also organic and biodynamic, these classifications don’t officially apply to natural wine, often because certification is costly and, depending on the winemaker’s goal, unnecessary.
In terms of flavor, you’ll see a lot of natural wines described as funky, earthy, or acidic. Some offer a light effervescence and/or sour or fermented flavor, not totally dissimilar from that of a kombucha. Natural wines tend to be lower in alcohol than their conventional counterparts, as their grapes are often harvested earlier in the season before growing temperatures hit their peak. When gazing through a bottle of natural wine, you’ll notice that the liquid may look cloudier (especially with whites, rosés, and oranges) than you’re used to due to the lack of filtration; there may also be more sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Signing up for a wine subscription service focused on natural wines is a smart way to start your at-home education, as natural wines are harder to track down than your standard bottle. To that end, we recommend Plonk, MYSA, or Helen’s Wines—whether you’ve never tasted a native yeast-fermented Syrah or unfiltered, barnyardy Beaujolais or know already that natural is what your palate prefers, having an in-house sommelier stock your boxes will be a blessing.
