California Wine Club Review: Is It Worth It? (2025 Guide)

Looking for an honest California Wine Club review from actual members? After personally joining and testing multiple series from The California Wine Club, we can confidently say this is one of the best wine clubs for discovering small, family-owned wineries you won’t find at retail stores.

Since 1990, The California Wine Club has connected wine lovers with exceptional wines from boutique producers making fewer than 15,000 cases annually. But is it worth the investment? In this comprehensive review, we’ll share our firsthand experience, evaluate wine quality and value, and help you decide if The California Wine Club is right for you.

What Is The California Wine Club?

The California Wine Club was founded in 1990 by Bruce and Pam Boring with a simple mission: connect wine enthusiasts with exceptional wines from small, family-owned wineries that most people would never discover on their own.

Here’s a sobering fact: 80% of all wine sold in the United States comes from just three major producers. While these wines aren’t necessarily bad, they represent a tiny fraction of what California wine country has to offer. The California Wine Club bridges that gap by personally visiting small wineries, tasting their wines, meeting the winemakers, and selecting only the very best bottles to feature in their shipments.

Every winery featured in The California Wine Club produces fewer than 15,000 cases annually—these are genuine artisan producers focused on quality over quantity. Many of these wines are impossible to find outside the winery itself, making The California Wine Club your access point to California’s hidden wine gems.

How The California Wine Club Works

The California Wine Club offers six distinct series, each targeting different preferences and price points:

Premier Series (Most Popular)

Price: $43.45 for 2 bottles + shipping
Focus: Best value California wines from small producers
Options: Choose 2 reds, 2 whites, or 1 of each; 2 or 4 bottle shipments
Best For: Anyone seeking quality California wine at accessible prices

Signature Series

Price: ~$70 per bottle
Focus: Premium, highly-rated California wines
Options: 2, 3, or 4 bottle shipments
Best For: Collectors and serious wine enthusiasts

International Series

Price: ~$50 per bottle
Focus: Small-production wines from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa
Options: 2 reds or mix of red and white
Best For: Adventurous tasters wanting global exploration

Aged Cabernet Series

Price: ~$120 per bottle
Focus: Napa Valley and Sonoma Cabernets aged 7-12 years
Best For: Cabernet collectors and special occasions

Pacific Northwest Series

Price: ~$30+ per bottle
Focus: Exclusive wines from small Oregon and Washington producers
Options: Mix or all red
Best For: Pacific Northwest wine enthusiasts

Case Club

Price: $180 for 12 bottles + shipping
Focus: Volume pricing on quality wines (50% off retail)
Options: All red, all white, or reserve red
Best For: Regular wine drinkers seeking best value

Flexible Delivery Options

All series offer flexible shipment frequency:

• Monthly subscriptions
• Every other month
• Quarterly shipments

You can pause, skip, or cancel anytime—no commitments or penalties. Need to hold a shipment while traveling? They’ll store your wines in temperature-controlled facilities and ship when you’re ready.

Our California Wine Club Experience

Ordering Process

Signing up for The California Wine Club was straightforward. After selecting the Premier Series (their most popular option), we chose:

• Wine selection: 1 red and 1 white
• Frequency: Monthly
• Number of bottles: 4 bottles for free shipping

Total cost: $86.90 including free shipping (orders of 4+ bottles ship free to most states).

The website clearly explained all options, and checkout was smooth. We immediately received welcome and confirmation emails, including our assigned Personal Wine Consultant’s name—a nice touch showing this isn’t a faceless corporation.

Shipping and Packaging

Our shipment arrived exactly 7 business days after ordering (they estimate 7-10 business days). The packaging was excellent:

• Sturdy corrugated box designed for wine shipping
• Custom Styrofoam inserts holding bottles securely
• Each bottle wrapped in tissue paper
• Handy tag reminding us to let wines settle before opening
• All wines arrived at proper temperature in perfect condition

What’s Included in Each Shipment

Uncorked Magazine: This is where The California Wine Club truly differentiates itself. Every shipment includes their full-color Uncorked magazine—and it’s genuinely impressive. Unlike basic tasting notes other clubs provide, Uncorked is a glossy, professionally-produced publication featuring:

• In-depth winery profiles and family histories
• Detailed tasting notes for each wine
• Food pairing suggestions and recipes
• Wine education articles and fun facts
• Interviews with winemakers
• Beautiful photography

We found ourselves reading Uncorked cover-to-cover each month. It transforms wine drinking from simply consuming a beverage into understanding the stories, people, and passion behind each bottle.

Additional Materials:

• Welcome letter from founders Bruce and Pam Boring
• Current promotions and member-exclusive deals
• Reorder information for wines you love
• Gift message card (if sending as gift)

The Wines: Quality and Value Assessment

Premier Series Wines We Received

Our shipments consistently featured wines from authentic family wineries with compelling stories. Here’s a sample of what we received:

Clos LaChance Vineyards (Santa Clara County):

• 2021 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Blend (80/20): Bright, crisp white with lime, lemon, and mineral notes. Perfect with herbed goat cheese and seafood. Retail value: $24
• 2020 Meritage Red Blend (58% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot): Our favorite of the shipment. Floral aromas, black fruit flavors with blackberry, cherry, and chocolate notes. Excellent structure and finish. Retail value: $28

Sierra Del Mar Vineyard/Vinum Cellars (Clarksburg Delta):

• 2020 Pinot Noir: Silky texture with red cherry, raspberry, and vanilla. Aged in mostly neutral French oak letting fruit shine. Paired beautifully with BBQ chicken. Retail value: $22
• 2021 Chardonnay: Fruit-forward with green apple, pear, and passion fruit. Stainless steel fermentation (Chablis style) with creamy mouthfeel. Retail value: $23

Value Analysis: Combined retail value of wines: $97. Our cost as club member: $86.90. We saved approximately $10 off retail while getting wines unavailable in most stores.

Quality Consistency

After receiving multiple shipments, we can confirm quality remains consistently high. Every wine has been:

• Well-made with no flaws or defects
• True to its varietal character
• Appropriately priced for quality level
• Interesting and distinctive (not generic)
• From legitimate small family wineries

The California Wine Club’s personal vetting process clearly works—they’re not just randomly selecting wines, but carefully curating bottles they’d serve to their own families.

What We Love About The California Wine Club

1. The “Love It” Guarantee

This might be the wine industry’s best satisfaction guarantee. If you receive a wine you don’t enjoy—for any reason—The California Wine Club will replace it or refund you. No questions asked.

Most wine clubs only replace damaged or flawed bottles. The California Wine Club goes further, acknowledging that wine preference is personal. This guarantee demonstrates tremendous confidence in their wine selection and removes all risk from trying the club.

2. Exceptional Customer Service

Every member receives a Personal Wine Consultant—a real person you can contact with questions, preferences, or special requests. We tested this by emailing our consultant with questions about switching series and vacation holds. Response time? Under 2 hours with helpful, detailed answers.

The consultant even offered to make changes for us if we found the website confusing. This level of service is rare in the subscription industry.

3. VIP Winery Tours and Tastings

Planning a trip to California wine country? As a California Wine Club member, they’ll arrange complimentary VIP tastings and tours at the wineries they feature. Given that Napa tastings now often cost $50-100+, this benefit alone can save hundreds of dollars.

We used this benefit when visiting Santa Barbara wine country, and The California Wine Club made all arrangements. We felt like genuine VIPs with personal attention from winemakers.

4. Uncorked Magazine Excellence

We can’t overstate how impressive the Uncorked magazine is. It rivals professional food and wine publications in production quality while maintaining an accessible, friendly tone. Reading about the winery families, their histories, and their winemaking philosophies makes you feel personally connected to every bottle.

5. Flexibility and Customization

The California Wine Club offers remarkable flexibility:

• Choose wine types (red, white, or mixed)
• Select shipment frequency (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly)
• Adjust bottle quantities (2, 3, 4, or 12)
• Pause shipments during travel
• Cancel anytime without fees or pressure
• Switch between series as preferences evolve

Many wine clubs lock you into commitments or make cancellation difficult. The California Wine Club treats members like adults who can make their own decisions.

6. Member-Exclusive Discounts

If you love a wine from your shipment, reorder it at deep member discounts—often 30-50% off retail. For example, a wine retailing at $28 might be available to members for $17.99.

Additional member benefits include:

• 10% discount on wine club gifts for others
• $1 shipping on supplemental orders of 6 or 12 bottles
• Exclusive access to limited releases
• Special pricing on wine accessories

7. Multiple Family Members Can Join

Unlike some clubs that limit one subscription per household, The California Wine Club allows multiple series simultaneously. You could receive Premier Series monthly while also getting International Series every other month—perfect for exploring different wine styles.

Areas for Improvement

California Focus

The name says it all—this is The California Wine Club. While they offer International and Pacific Northwest series, California wines dominate their offerings. If you’re specifically seeking French Burgundy or Italian Barolo, this may not be your best option.

However, given California’s incredible wine diversity (from cool-climate Pinot Noir to bold Zinfandel), this focus provides depth and expertise rather than scattered global coverage.

Website Navigation for Series Switching

Switching between series isn’t immediately intuitive on the website. We expected a dropdown menu but had to cancel our current series and add the new one. However, your Personal Wine Consultant can handle this instantly if you email or call.

This is a minor inconvenience given the excellent customer service available to help.

Adult Signature Required

Like all wine shipments, someone 21+ must sign for delivery. This is legally required and not specific to The California Wine Club, but it can be inconvenient if you’re rarely home during delivery hours.

Many members have wines shipped to their workplace to avoid this issue.

California Wine Club Pricing and Value

Premier Series Pricing Breakdown

2-Bottle Shipment: $43.45 + $21 shipping = $64.45 total ($32.23 per bottle)
4-Bottle Shipment: $86.90 + free shipping = $86.90 total ($21.73 per bottle)

The 4-bottle option delivers better per-bottle value with free shipping. For context, similar quality wines at retail typically cost $25-30 per bottle, making the club pricing competitive even before considering the convenience, education, and VIP tour benefits.

Gift Membership Pricing

The California Wine Club offers attractive discounts on gift memberships:

• 3-Month Gift: $146.49 (save ~7%)
• 6-Month Gift: $333 (save ~14%)
• 12-Month Gift: $654 (save ~16%)

They frequently run additional promotions offering 10-15% off gifts, free shipping, bonus bottles, or extra months.

Gift+ Option

For $22, add the Gift+ package including:

• Wine corkscrew
• Stainless steel bottle stopper
• Personalized gift card
• Delivered in advance via USPS to announce the gift

This unique feature solves the timing problem of wine gifts—you can give something on the actual occasion while wine follows later.

Who Should Join The California Wine Club

Perfect For:

• Wine Enthusiasts Seeking Discovery: If you love finding unique wines unavailable in stores
• Story-Driven Wine Lovers: Those who enjoy learning about winemakers and family histories
• California Wine Fans: Anyone who appreciates California’s wine diversity
• Gift Givers: Exceptional gift presentation and quality at multiple price points
• Value Seekers: Quality wines at fair prices with money-back guarantee
• Wine Country Travelers: VIP tour benefit perfect for California visitors

Maybe Not Ideal For:

• International Wine Focus: Those wanting primarily Old World wines (though International Series available)
• Extreme Budget Constraints: While fairly priced, there are cheaper wine clubs available
• Very Specific Preferences: If you only drink one specific varietal, a personalized club might be better

How The California Wine Club Compares to Competitors

vs. Gold Medal Wine Club

Similar pricing and focus on small producers, but The California Wine Club offers superior satisfaction guarantee (Gold Medal only replaces flawed bottles) and better gift discounts.

vs. Firstleaf

Firstleaf offers personalized algorithm-driven selections at lower prices, but wines come from larger producers without the personal winery stories and family connections that make The California Wine Club special.

vs. Naked Wines

Naked Wines also supports independent winemakers with great value, but The California Wine Club provides more educational content and VIP tour benefits.

vs. Plonk Wine Club

Plonk specializes in unique, avant-garde wines at premium prices. The California Wine Club offers more accessible pricing and classic California styles.

California Wine Club Promo Codes and Discounts

The California Wine Club regularly offers promotional discounts including:

• Free shipping on 4+ bottle orders
• Gift membership discounts (up to 16% off 12-month gifts)
• Seasonal promotions (10-15% off)
• Bonus bottles with gift purchases
• Member-exclusive reorder discounts (30-50% off retail)

Current promotions change frequently. Check their website or our updated coupon page for the latest California Wine Club promo codes and deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel The California Wine Club anytime?

Yes. There are no commitments, contracts, or cancellation fees. You can pause, skip, or cancel your membership anytime through your online account or by contacting customer service.

What if I don’t like a wine?

The California Wine Club’s “Love It” guarantee means they’ll replace any wine you don’t enjoy or provide a full refund. This applies to personal preference, not just damaged or flawed bottles.

Do they ship to my state?

The California Wine Club ships to all 50 U.S. states, including Hawaii and Alaska. Shipping times vary by location (7-10 business days typical).

Can I give The California Wine Club as a gift?

Absolutely. They offer gift memberships from 3 months to 12 months with attractive discounts. The first shipment includes gift-wrapped bottles in tissue paper, and you can add the Gift+ option for a send-ahead announcement package.

How do the VIP winery tours work?

Contact your Personal Wine Consultant before visiting California wine country. Tell them which wineries from your shipments you’d like to visit, and they’ll arrange complimentary VIP tastings and tours. Many are completely free, saving you $50-100+ per tasting.

Can I choose which wines I receive?

The California Wine Club is curated, not customized. You can select wine type (red, white, or mixed) but not specific wines. This allows them to feature their hand-picked selections from small family wineries. The “Love It” guarantee protects you if you receive something you don’t enjoy.

What’s the difference between Premier and Signature Series?

Premier Series features excellent value wines around $20/bottle from small California producers. Signature Series showcases premium, highly-rated California wines at ~$70/bottle for serious collectors and special occasions.

Our Final Verdict: Is The California Wine Club Worth It?

After extensive testing, we enthusiastically recommend The California Wine Club—particularly the Premier Series for most wine lovers.

Why We Recommend It:

• Consistently excellent wine quality from vetted small producers
• Outstanding educational value through Uncorked magazine
• Industry-leading “Love It” guarantee removes all risk
• Exceptional customer service with Personal Wine Consultants
• VIP winery tour benefit worth hundreds of dollars
• Fair pricing with member discounts on reorders
• Complete flexibility—no commitments or contracts
• Authentic support for small family wineries

The Bottom Line: The California Wine Club delivers on its promise to connect wine lovers with exceptional small-production wines they’d never find on their own. The combination of wine quality, educational content, customer service, and member benefits makes this one of the best wine clubs we’ve tested.

Whether you’re buying for yourself or giving as a gift, The California Wine Club represents excellent value and a genuine passion for supporting California’s artisan wine community.

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Want to explore California wine country in person? Read our wine tasting guides for detailed itineraries and winery recommendations.