| If you enjoy trying new wines, you might like to | | | | Generally, because it can be a gesture of goodwill |
| think about joining a wine club. If you really enjoy | | | | to customers, many wineries do not charge an |
| your wines, joining a club can be beneficial for a | | | | additional fee for membership. They may even |
| number of reasons. | | | | throw in complimentary special events hosted at |
| Many wineries offer wine clubs to visitors. | | | | the winery, or free member appreciation day |
| Members generally receive about three or four | | | | events. |
| shipments of wines to try every year, though the | | | | Also, wine clubs can be very helpful to the |
| number of bottles and shipments included will vary | | | | beginner who has just discovered a passion for |
| from club to club, including those that ship on a | | | | wines but needs access to information on the |
| monthly basis. Most wineries use the club as a | | | | complexities and subtleties of all the wines on the |
| marketing strategy to help boost wine sales. | | | | market. A book will not necessarily convey this as |
| Like other clubs, you can try rare vintages or | | | | palatably as a good bottle of wine. Likewise, |
| varieties that have not yet been released to the | | | | should your tastes change, you can cancel at any |
| public. You may also have access to reserve | | | | time. |
| wines or their finest special concoctions. If you | | | | However, you will be charged for shipment in |
| purchase a membership, you will often receive | | | | most cases, and depending on the method and |
| member discounts like reduced admission to the | | | | distance, there may be a substantial cost |
| winery, or discounts on the wines themselves. | | | | associated that outweighs the value of the wines. |
| Again, this varies according to the individual | | | | Of course, every selection can be a bit of a |
| wineries' policies. | | | | gamble, and the winery may send you samples |
| If you have become especially fond of a certain | | | | that you do not enjoy. On the whole, however, a |
| winery, but cannot visit it often (say only during a | | | | wine club may be an interesting opportunity and |
| yearly vacation) the club will provide you with the | | | | will certainly ensure that you always have a good |
| opportunity to sample all year long. | | | | bottle on hand when guests come over to visit. |