A world of wine can sometimes be an intimidating place. Different grape varieties, varietals, terroirs, the body, and other wine terms can be confusing, especially to drinkers who are only discovering their love for this beautiful drink.
In 2012, Xander Oxman and Geoff McFarlane founded Winc with the idea that purchasing and enjoying wine should be a simple experience. With a winemaker and sommelier Brian Smith, they quickly turned Winc into a unique wine club.
Winc has a winery located in California, and they are completely in control of the wines they sell, from growing grapes to creating delicious wine.
Our Winc review goes in-depth to discover if this wine subscription is any good and what makes it different from the competitors. Read on to find out.
Winc At A Glance
- Best Match For: People looking for affordable unique wines from local and international wineries that aren’t available in local wine stores.
- Commitment Level: One time orders: Monthly membership
- Availability: The continental US except for AK, AL, AR, DE, HI, KY, MI, MS, NJ, RI, SD, and UT.
- Value: Around $13/bottle; $59.95/monthly membership; $15 shipping fee for non-members; Shipping is free for members on 4+ bottle orders; $9 shipping fee on member orders under 4 bottles
- Type: A curated selection of exceptional wines
How Does Winc Work?
Winc is not your average “the wine of the month club.” Instead of leaving the wine production to manufacturers, and then curating the selection and picking bottles for club members, Winc has decided for a different approach.
The company grows the grapes, makes exceptional wines, and then ships the bottles straight to your door. This process eliminates few chains in the link, ensuring that you always get the quality wine that has passed strict standards.
When you want to get started, Winc gives you a 6 question quiz to learn about your taste preferences. Don't be surprised to see questions about your saltiness preference, drinking orange juice, or whether you like mushrooms.
Your answers should give Winc enough information to offer you four bottles that should reflect your taste preferences.
Once you receive your bottle suggestions, you can proceed to checkout or edit your order if you are not happy with the selection. By making a purchase, you automatically subscribe to Winc service.
Winc wine club comes with a membership fee every month that goes towards your account credits. You can use them to purchase four wine bottles of your choice.
You can also save credits for future orders if you want to grab a bottle from the premium selection.
Becoming a Winc member has several advantages, including:
The subscription is flexible, and you can easily pause or cancel it. If you want a one-time order, you’ll need to contact the customer service via live chat or text and cancel your subscription before it renews. It may be a little hassle for some people, but you can do it right after your order to prevent any additional charges.
The alternative would be to order a one, two, or three-month subscription from the gift section. With these options, you won’t automatically become a Winc member upon purchase.
Besides the recommended wine selections, you can also order a la carte bottles. A great thing about Winc is that it offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. That way, you will never have to pay for a bottle you don’t like.
All you have to do is contact customer support, and they’ll make sure to swap your bottle for something else or credit your account.
What You Can Expect From Your Wines
Winc makes all of its vines, from growing grapes to the finishing touch. Besides the COO and co-founder Brian Smith, Robert Daugherty is the second essential part of this wine-making team.
Winc collaborates with many independent winemakers to craft unique wine you are not able to find in your local liquor store, not even in a fancy wine shop. You can find bottles of Winc wine in Whole Foods across California or one of the many restaurants listed on their website.
So far, Winc has produced more than 600 wines from 78 grape varieties. They have bottles coming from 97 regions across 12 different countries. One of the main things that separate Winc from the rest of winemakers and wine clubs is their effort to grow the best possible grapes in a sustainable and natural way.
Your initial Palate Profile Quiz gives Winc an inside into your likes and dislikes. However, that is only the beginning of your profile personalization.
You can rate each bottle you receive and leave notes, which enables Winc to improve your overall experience by carefully tailoring the next recommendations precisely to your taste.
You can explore Winc wines by:
If you only want wines from the top shelf, you can upgrade your membership to Winc Select. There are no additional charges, but keep in mind that premium bottles of wine come with a premium price.
Winc has collaborated with brands like Broad & Pattison to create an impressive selection of unique wine bottles. They have also launched their own Wonderful Wine Co. that features wine for clean living.
These bottles of wine are low in sugars and carbs, which makes them compatible with many diets, including vegan, paleo, and keto. (Find out more about getting vegan food delivered right to your door.)
Sample Wines Review
Winc wine selection is truly impressive. With over 600 different bottles of wine, there is something for everybody. Here are some options you can see on the website:
Delivery Review
Once you place your order, Winc needs two days to process it. After that, the delivery takes 2-7 business days, depending on your location.
Delivery is currently available in all states except for AK, AL, AR, DE, HI, KY, MI, MS, RI, SD, and UT.
People living in these states cannot accept wine deliveries because of laws and alcohol shipping restrictions, but they can still buy gift subscriptions or ship elsewhere.
Certain zip codes in Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, and West Virginia also have wine shipping restrictions.
You can check these on Winc's website, and contact their customer support to find the best solution to receive your Winc wine.
Keep in mind that all wine deliveries require the signature of someone who is at least 21 years old.
Plan your shipments accordingly, and make sure there is always an adult to sign for your order.
FAQS
Yes. After our review, we have learned that Winc is a unique wine subscription service that definitely holds value. You can get fine wines at retail prices. You can even find delicious recipes on their website that go great with Winc wine for the best drinking experience.
You can join Winc for free, but you need to fulfill a minimum order of three bottles each month. You can expect to pay $13 per bottle, plus $9 for shipping, so that’s a minimum of $48 a month.
You can add more wines for an additional $13 per bottle. An Insider Access Membership with full benefits and access comes at the price of $59.95 per month.
Winc is fairly easy to cancel. You may not be able to do it with one online click, but all you have to do is contact the customer support via live chat or text and cancel your wine subscription.
Order processing takes around two days. The delivery can take between 2 and 7 business days, depending on your location. There is also a Ship Now option for all members that ensures that your order ships within 24-48 hours.
Yes, Winc is a great deal for all wine lovers. It’s a fun and affordable way to explore different wines without researching and learning a ton of stuff. You simply input your preferences and receive hand-picked wines that suit your taste.
No, Winc is legit, and their service is great.
The minimum number of bottles you must order every month is 3, but there is no maximum amount. So it’s up to you to decide how many bottles you want to receive every month.
You can get as many bottles as you’d like with Winc.
Winc is owned and run by Geoff McFarlane, Xander Oxman, Brian Smith, and Mark Lynn.
Most Winc wine is made in California. However, they also import bottles from Argentina, South Africa, France, Italy, Austria, and other places.
First, contact customer support on the website or by calling 855-282-5829. Then ask for a confirmation email to make sure your account is gone.
Yes, if you are not satisfied with your wine, you can get a refund. Simply contact Winc’s customer support, and they’ll credit your account.
Each month you receive a curated box of wines personalized to your unique preferences. Members receive case discounts, complimentary shipping on four bottles or more, member credits at a discounted price, and other perks.
Winc Costs
The monthly membership costs $59.95 per month, and the average bottle price is around $13. The shipping fee is $15 for non-members and $9 for members ordering fewer than four bottles. For members who order four or more bottles, shipping is free.
Pros and Cons Review
PROS:
- Exclusive international and domestic wines created in Winc winery
- Tailor-made experience and wine recommendations
- You receive tasting notes, exciting recipes, and other extras to boost your wine club experience
- A Satisfaction Guarantee for all wine bottles
CONS:
- The subscription forces you to buy a minimum of three bottles per month
Drink Wine, Not Labels
If you are a fan of wine clubs and getting high-quality wines every month, Winc may be a good option for you. Our Winc review discovered that this wine delivery service offers excellent quality and great personalization.
Winc was founded in 2012 as Club W. Eight years later, Winc has done a lot to improve its service and offer great-quality wines from all around the world. Their California-based winery is a real gem, and it produces excellent wines you cannot find at your local liquor store.
A fantastic selection of delicious wines, flexible service, tasting notes, and exciting recipes that go with your wines are just some of the things that make Winc a great choice for all wine-lovers. Oh, yeah, don’t forget a Satisfaction Guarantee for every bottle.
If you don’t like any wine, you can contact Winc, and they’ll add credit to your account for future orders. More importantly, they’ll get to know your taste preferences even more, which will result in better recommendations.
Winc is perfect for all wine-lovers looking to expand their palate and discover some great domestic and imported wines.
Winc