Wine Clubs with Gift Notice Presented in the First Shipment

Good choice for gifts

This quarterly wine club features true luxury wines rated 93+ and finds California wines so exclusive that the club is limited to 500 members. You get collector-level access without the hassle of doing your own research. A lot of wines (and wine clubs) call themselves "super premium" but most of them fail to live up to the hype, this one does.

This wine club ships mostly red wine and occasionally a stunning white at prices well below retail. I love seeing superstars like Blackbird Red Blend from Calistoga, Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvingon from Stag's Leap District, and the 97-point Matetic Syrah from Chile. You can shop these luxury wines online at their store.

With elegant gift packaging as an upgrade option, you can make any wine subscription gift really stand out. Send a personalized greeting card ahead or ship it to yourself to present on the big day. When the wine arrives, the first shipment's bottles are wrapped in organza and presented in a beautiful artist-designed gift box.

Want to know more? Read my Diamond Series Wine Club review or Shop it

Good choice for gifts

#5 Best California

California is home to some of the world's best wine regions and wineries, many of which are boutique wineries. A boutique winery is typically a small-family operation with limited distribution beyond their tasting room. This wine of the month club is a great way to get introduced to what California wine has to offer at reasonable prices and it makes an excellent gift.

Consistency. I've been receiving their shipments for years and I've never had a wine I didn't like. You can't really ask for more than that from a wine club.

Gold Medal always offers beautiful gift packaging, but you usually need to order a whole year's worth of wine to get it free. Our readers get an exclusive deal on their premium gift package, included with any Gold Series gift of 3-months or longer. Your wine lover will also get a bonus bottle of red wine in their first shipment.

Want to know more? Read my Gold Series Wine Club review or Shop it

Good satisfaction guarantee

Good choice for gifts

#5 Best White / #8 Best Wine Clubs

An old-school wine of the month club that has every detail buttoned down tight. If you want to discover affordable wines from around the world, and you want a reliable service to deliver them, the International Wine of the Month Club’s Premier Series is a great place to start.

When I recommend a wine club gift (which is frequently), I often recommend this club. It’s a great mix of value and discovery, showcasing grapes and regions not typically found on the shelves at wine stores (and definitely not at big box stores).

Wine club gifting is an area that this company excels at. They give you the most options of any two-bottle wine club, from when you pay for each shipment, to all of the standard customizations, gift notice options, etc. The first shipment of all gifts includes organza-wrapped bottles for an extra touch.

Want to know more? Read my The Premier Series review or Shop it

Good choice for gifts

#1 Best White / #2 Best Quarterly / #3 Best Gifts

The Plonk wine club has always been among our favorites because of the proprietor's preference for quirky but delectable wines. Etty Klein sources interesting wines made from grapes and regions you've never heard of (and some you have). Whether you choose four, six, or twelve bottle shipments you'll be glad you picked Plonk.

Lately I've come to think of Plonk as the "Somm club" that isn't run by a sommelier. With a focus on wines under $30 that will delight any curious wine drinker, I think the value is top notch. Also, unlike most wine clubs, if you're thinking of going red-only or white-only, you'll actually get four or six different selections (2 of each if you upgrade to 12 bottles).

Want to know more? Read my Plonk Wine Club review or Shop it

Good choice for gifts

#3 Best Wine Clubs / #4 Best International / #5 Best Premium

An Italian wine club (based in Italy!) offering four different levels of Italian (and French) wine ranging from delightful everyday wine to legends meant for long-term cellaring. This is not an ordinary wine club.

This is a unique wine club who braves the hurdles of US wine importation to bring wonderful examples of Italian wine to their loyal members. They want all of us to enjoy Italian wine as much as they do, and it shows in every aspect of their wine club.

Want to know more? Read my Italian Wine Club review or Shop it

Good satisfaction guarantee

Good choice for gifts

#4 Best Gifts / #7 Best Premium

An old-school wine of the month club that has every detail buttoned down tight. If you want to discover interesting, well-made wines from around the world, and you want a reliable service to deliver them, The International Wine of the Month Club’s Collectors Series is a great place to start.

When I recommend a premium wine club gift, I often recommend this club. It’s a great mix of quality and discovery, showcasing grapes and regions not typically found on the shelves at wine stores (and definitely not at big box stores).

Wine club gifting is an area that this company excels at. They give you the most options of any two-bottle wine club, from when you pay for each shipment, to all of the standard customizations, gift notice options, etc. The first shipment of all gifts includes organza-wrapped bottles for an extra touch.

Want to know more? Read my The Collectors Series review or Shop it

Good choice for gifts

If you're ready to upgrade to a higher quality wine from California and explore what all of the artisanal buzz is about, this should be your first stop. These mostly red wines from the best small wineries typically retail in the $35-90 range but you pay a much lower price to have them delivered. Joining for yourself means variable shipment prices, but if you buy as a pre-paid gift subscription you'll know your price in advance. Hint: Buy yourself a pre-paid gift subscription instead of joining as an ongoing member.

I spend a lot of time wine tasting in California and are personally familiar with many of the wineries shipped in Gold Medal's Platinum Series. They ship my favorites and must-try wines like Dilécta GSM from Paso Robles, Volker Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, and Frank Family Petite Sirah from Napa to name a few.

With elegant gift packaging as an upgrade option, you can make any wine subscription gift really stand out. Send a personalized greeting card ahead or ship it to yourself to present on the big day. When the wine arrives, the first shipment's bottles are wrapped in organza and presented in a beautiful artist-designed gift box.

Want to know more? Read my Platinum Series Wine Club review or Shop it

Good satisfaction guarantee

Good choice for gifts

I already go weak in the knees for a great champagne, but the shipment I received has us wishing the next shipment would get here sooner. A mouth-watering way to explore the region of Champagne, particularly from boutique grower houses that rarely export to the United States.

A delightful and decadent way to treat yourself (or pamper a lucky gift recipient), Henri's Reserve is a playful yet sophisticated true Champagne Club, featuring top-notch small producers.

Want to know more? Read my Champagne Club review or Shop it

Good satisfaction guarantee

Good choice for gifts

#5 Best Gifts / #8 Best Red

An old-school wine of the month club that has every detail buttoned down tight. If you want to discover heavier-bodied, interesting red wines from around the world, and you want a reliable service to deliver them, the International Wine of the Month Club’s Bold Reds Series is a great place to start.

When I recommend a red wine club gift (which is frequently), I often recommend this club. It’s great for red wine lovers as it showcases grapes and regions not typically found on the shelves at wine stores (and definitely not at big box stores).

Wine club gifting is an area that this company excels at. They give you the most options of any two-bottle wine club, from when you pay for each shipment, to all of the standard customizations, gift notice options, etc. The first shipment of all gifts includes organza-wrapped bottles for an extra touch.

Want to know more? Read my The Bold Reds Series review or Shop it

Good satisfaction guarantee

Good choice for gifts

This is the happy medium of wine clubs they offer as you get one bottle from their entry-level subscription and one bottle from their premium membership. If you're doing your math as "average price paid per bottle" you might not love this club, but if you consider that you're getting one value-priced wine and one special-occasion wine in each shipment, it's a neat concept.

Unlike some other wine clubs which focus on acquiring closeout wines to ship to their members, this wine club cares a great deal about coming up with consistent selections befitting their reputation of 25 years in the business. Their tasting panel includes proprietor Kris Calef, wine professionals, and everyday wine drinkers, so they excel at finding palate-friendly wines with wide appeal.

Wine club gifting is an area that this company excels at. They give you the most options of any two-bottle wine club, from when you pay for each shipment, to all of the standard customizations, gift notice options, etc. The first shipment of all gifts includes organza-wrapped bottles for an extra touch.

Want to know more? Read my The Masters Series review or Shop it