Face it. The neighborhood Book Club thing has been done to death. And Bunco? Don’t even get us started. But a Wine Club — a way to share your love of wine (and learn about it), while hanging out with your friends? That sounds like something worth spending a Thursday night doing.

What You’ll Need to Get Started:
• Friends
• Wine
• A Place to Host

Pretty simple, right?

Friends - Put out an All Points Bulletin for friends who enjoy wine. Post on your Facebook page, on your Office Intranet site, do a group text, you’ll be AMAZED at how many people respond when the word “wine” is included.

Wine - The point of a Wine Club is not to spend a fortune, it’s to learn about wine and enjoy doing it with the people you care about. Read up, look for that unknown wine that will blow your friends away (we’ll get to some recommendations later). A Wine Club is not the time to pull out those bottles that can be found anywhere.

A Place to Host - The best place for a Wine Club meeting is in someone’s home. There are no time restrictions, cover charges, or costly food obligations. We always like to do a rotating hosting schedule, so everyone gets a turn to play host. Don’t have a place to host when it’s your turn? Offer to provide the cheese and crackers for someone else to play host on your behalf! 

Now that the basics are covered, it’s time to put your own personal stamp on things. Assign a theme for each night that will make things interesting and help expand the groups’ knowledge and appreciation of wine.

Category Suggestion: $10 & Under Wines

Resist the urge to go for something safe. Yes, Apothic Red is a real crowd pleaser, but just about everyone has tried it. Think outside the box (or in this case outside the bottle) and bring something that most people have never tried. 

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: California Wine Project

Four different varietals to choose from - Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Whichever one you select, you will not be disappointed. Incredibly smooth, incredibly flavorful wines that come to us exclusively from one of Napa's most recognizable vineyards (but that's our little secret). Our favorites are the Chardonnay and the Cabernet. One sip, you’ll be hooked.

Category Suggestion: Something That’s Nearly Impossible to Find

One of the best things about starting a wine club is discovering wines you (and your friends) may never have tried before. 

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: Eaglestone Winery Pinot Noir

Before you say something like, “that’s not impossible to find, I’ve had Eaglestone before.” True, you may have had their Cabernet or their Red Blends (both excellent, we might add), but their Pinot Noir is the unicorn of wines. Go ahead and Google it. Go on,we’ll wait…

You couldn’t find it, could you? Not even on Eaglestone’s own website. BUT WE HAVE IT (don’t ask).  And it’s AWESOME. Fabulous at $30 or more, but you can get this one direct from our $10 & Under collection! No joke.


Category Suggestion: Something Truly Unique

Select a wine that’s whiskey-bottle aged (for an intensely different flavor profile). Bring a bottle of bubbly, dry, deep red Lambrusco — a colorful alternative to golden sparkling wines. Or break away from the California wine rut and bring a bottle from a place your friends won’t expect

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: Something kosher

Yes, kosher. Some of the hottest new wines are hailing from Israel. And, if you haven’t tried kosher wines before, you really don’t know what you are missing. Old World Style, amazing varietals, today’s kosher wines are a must-try for any wine lover. Try the Cabernet Franc from Alexander Winery, you won’t be disappointed.


Category Suggestion: Rosé All the Way

The fastest growing wine varietal in the United States, rosé is the new favorite wine and an absolute must-drink from Spring to Fall! With so many incredible rosé wines to choose from running the spectrum from blush to magenta, super dry to slightly sweet, there is a rosé wine to suit every taste

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: Dozen Roses Rosé

Not your typical French rosé, this one hails from Portugal and it's sublime. Exceptionally easy drinking 100% tempranillo, with the palest pink hue, it's light and refreshing with just the slightest hint of sweetness in the finish. Like capturing summer in a glass!

One last thing…

While it isn’t necessary to have a prize for the favorite wine of the night, it certainly adds an extra special touch. We suggest a gift of — you guessed it, Wine! 

Pick up one of the special “congratulations” gift boxes from Gift Box Pros, add a bottle or two of your favorite wines, some novelty wine glasses, openers, whatever — or get a pre-made gift box as the evening’s award and cement yourself as the “World’s Best Wine Club Host.”

Cheers!