| Have you ever come across a wine bottle bearing | | | | the 1830s. Large vineyards soon followed, and |
| the insignia of an Australian wine club? Then it | | | | serious importation was started several years |
| must be top quality wine. Australian wine clubs are | | | | after. |
| among the most respected in the world and only | | | | Groups of people who bought their wine in bulk |
| first class wines are allowed to carry that | | | | soon started forming their own clubs. The |
| emblem. | | | | Australian Wines Consumers Cooperative Society |
| Wine drinking as a lifestyle in Australia is relatively | | | | Limited was the first ever Australian wine club. |
| new compared to the wine cultures in such | | | | The group started in the 1950s and now boasts |
| countries as Italy and France. The wine boom in | | | | fifty thousand members. |
| Australia is actually attributed to the high influx of | | | | A lot of Australian wine clubs have emerged in |
| European settlers back in the late 1700s. Naturally, | | | | the past few decades. These clubs started |
| these settlers influenced Australian society with | | | | making and selling their own wine. Today, there |
| their dining habits, and soon local Australians | | | | are about twelve wine clubs in Australia in full |
| started drinking wine along with their meals. | | | | operation. |
| The efforts of viticulturist James Busby in bringing | | | | Most of these clubs send its members a case of |
| the wine culture to Australia are also widely | | | | wine every three months. The cases contain a |
| recognized. Busby immigrated to Australia in the | | | | dozen bottles chosen by wine experts. If you are |
| early 1800s and made wine there. He brought | | | | already a member, then Australian wine clubs |
| back this wine to Europe, where it was highly | | | | save you the hassle of purchasing wines yourself. |
| appraised. | | | | In case of dissatisfaction, Australian wine clubs |
| Soon, Busby and others found that certain areas | | | | offer a money back guarantee. If the corks are |
| in Australia were perfect for growing grapes for | | | | damaged, a full refund or replacement is made |
| winemaking. Busby started the first source blocks | | | | with no questions asked. |
| of wines in Sydney, Victoria and South Australia in | | | | |