The Best Red Wine Clubs In 2022

Our experts have sampled over 80 clubs between them and can give you all the answers you need before you take the plunge. We share their findings with you, our readers, so you can make the right choice for both your budget and palate.

The Best Red Wine Clubs

Pick For The Best Red Wine Club In 2022

Winc: An unrivaled selection of red wines from the world’s most prestigious vineyards.

Our Top Five Best Red Wine Clubs

winc logo
  • Free Shipping over $50
  • Winc Credits
  • Flexible Subscription
Best.svg
Red Wine Club
Money (best value).svg
$60
vinebox logo
  • VINEBOX Advent Calendar
  • Seasonally Intuitive Wine Box
  • Rare Wine
 Best
Organic Wine
Money (best value)
$35/mo
nakedwines logo
  • Complimentary Gift Bottle
  • Voucher Code
  • Support's Small Boutique Wineries
Best.svg
Sparkling Wines Club
Money (best value).svg
$40 "angel investment"/mo
brightcellars logo
  • Customized orders
  • 50$ Discount for the first order
  • Wine varieties from around the world
Best
Rose Wine
Money (best value)
$88/mo
wineofthemonthclub logo
  • High quality wine
  • Various gifts options
  • Money-Back Guarantee
Best
Red wine Club
Money (best value)
$38

Why?

  1. Winc: Hand-Picked, International Flavors, Customizable Orders 
  2. VINEBOX: Unique Deliveries, Ever-Changing Boxes, Pairing Insights 
  3. Naked Wines: Affordable Pricing, Connect With Winemakers, Zero Membership Fees
  4. Bright Cellars: Personal Concierges, Membership Quiz, Great Gift Selection
  5. Wine Of The Month Club: Huge Range, Keto-Friendly Wines, Great Accessories

Join a red wine club and you’ll have your hands on high-quality, unique blends in no time. Enjoying the top varietals from around the world becomes a reality as soon as you receive your first shipment. What’s more, you’ll be saving a ton of time and money, and you don’t even have to leave your home!

Following a lengthy-yet-fun review process, Winc beats out the competition to be crowned our best red wine club for 2022. Factoring in price, convenience, discounts, and every other essential, Winc ticks all the boxes for red wine lovers. And it has a handpicked selection of beautiful blends to boot!

How To Choose A Red Wine Club

The beautiful thing about wine clubs, and this is something newbies should bear in mind, is that you’re always in safe hands. Every bottle they swear by has undergone a lot of testing - and drinking! - by in-house, expert oenophiles. 

The best way to choose one for yourself, though, is to start with what you know and what you like. That bottle of Merlot you got from your secret Santa at work or the Pinot Noir you took a chance on and loved - whatever knowledge you do have will be a perfect jumping-off point.

Below you’ll find the best clubs to join based on the most popular red wine varieties.

Top 10 Red Wine Clubs Tested and Ranked by Our Expert Sommeliers

1. Winc - Sustainable, 50+ Red Wines, Fast Delivery

Pro's
Free Deliveries On Orders Over Four Bottles
Con's
No Live Chat
Winc
  • Varietals: Syrah, Zinfandel, Cinsault, Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Frappato, Gamay, Carménère, Pinotage, Merlot, Carignane, Valdiguié
  • Types Of Gifts: Gift Cards/Membership
  • Subscription Price: $39 For Three Bottles
  • Membership Plans: Monthly (Skip-A-Month Available)
  • Money-Back/Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Phone & Contact Form
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Both Are Available
  • Cancellation: Yes
  • Pro: Free Deliveries On Orders Over Four Bottles
  • Con: No Live Chat

Winc’s been on the market for a decade now and within that time, you’ve got a wine club here that’s honed into exactly what red-wine-lovers want. That means customizable orders, affordable prices, and you know what? It’s a wine club that actually lets people dip their toes in at their own pace.

Take a quick quiz and within a few minutes, you’ll know exactly why Winc has five million glowing reviews. Members can either trust in the specialist suggestions following their one-minute Q&A session or they can simply select their own. Either way, and however many bottles you decide to have delivered each month, subscriptions are flexible. That means you can easily skip the odd month if you want to.

Watch our video review for Win

The Bottom Line

Know someone that loves red wine as much as you do? Winc lets you gift memberships to your nearest and dearest. Refer a family member or a friend and with the 30 dollars’ worth of wine they get - absolutely free - you’ll get a free bottle for each of their first two shipments. It’s a win-win!

2. Vinebox - Original, Hand-Picked Orders

Pro's
Unrivaled Tasting Possibilities
Con's
It’s Quite Expensive

vinebox

  • Varietals: Cabernet, Malbec, Barolo, Nebbiolo, Sauvignon, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: Corporate & Personal
  • Subscription Price: Up to $95 Per Order
  • Membership Plans: Quarterly
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Refunds For Damage Only
  • Customer Support: Email
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Membership Only
  • Cancellation Policy: Online Cancellations Before Renewals

No one wants to be bogged down with a bottle of the bad stuff and that’s what makes VINEBOX so special. There’s no wine club like it. Members have been able to order a selection of red wines from independent, international wineries by the glass - that’s right, by the glass - since it opened its doors back in 2015.

You’ll get between six and nine 100ml vials every quarter. If you like to wash away the worries of work on a weekend or even on a weekday, you’ll probably want to fill the gaps. But what truly makes it special is the learning opportunity that comes with each order!

Watch our video review for Vinebox

The Bottom Line

From Spain to Italy, VINEBOX only picks the best that Europe has to offer. You’ll enjoy the highlights from every deserving vineyard in that region, sure. But the perfect pairings, the grapes used, and the winemakers responsible are just a handful of the details included. Plus, you can gift membership to someone you love or save it all for yourself.

3. Naked Wines - Independent Wineries, Community-Based

Pro's
33% Off Market Price (Angel Program)
Con's
It’s UK-Based

Naked Wines

  • Varietals: Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, Sauvignon
  • Types of Gifts: Gift Cards, Accessories, & More
  • Subscription Price: N/A
  • Membership Plans: One-off purchases
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Mon-Sat (Phone)
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Both Are Available
  • Cancellation Policy: N/A

No one can be blamed for thinking that signing up for a red wine club wouldn’t mean more than simply popping the cork. But you’re wrong. Naked Wines gives its members the chance to connect with independent wineries unlike any other club on the market - all through its Angel program.

Look at it this way: most wine clubs require a monthly, quarterly, or annual payment. With Naked Wines’ Angel program, members need only deposit the equivalent of £25 each month, spend it however they want, and they get a ton of freebies and discounts.

You’ll get access to exclusive wines, enjoy price reductions of as much as 33%, and sleep well at night knowing that you’re supporting independent winemakers everywhere. What’s more, this club doesn’t require memberships, and has a huge selection that’s available to all budgets.

Watch our video review for Naked Wines

The Bottom Line

From vegan wines to medal winners; red wines under $7 or over $15, there’s something for everyone here.

4. Bright Cellars - Tailored Orders, Specialist Red Wine Selections

Pro's
Great Wines Available
Con's
A Little Pricey

Bright Cellars

  • Varietals: Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: Personalized Or Customized Orders
  • Subscription Price: $80 Per Month
  • Membership Plans: Bi-Monthly, Monthly, Quarterly
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Replacements & Refunds
  • Customer Support: Phone & Email
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Both
  • Cancellation Policy: Yes

As a wine club that’s been around since 2013, Bright Cellars has figured out just how to give its members what they need. You’ll quickly find what you’re looking for here - as long as you can afford it! Spare just a few minutes for the palate quiz and you’ll get a solid idea of what’s best for you and those you intend to share your orders with.

Though it’s a little on the pricey side, Bright Cellars is flexible on its deliveries, with bi-monthly, monthly, and quarterly orders available. Not all red wine clubs offer this, nor are there in-house sommeliers that scrutinize quite as Bright Cellars does.

Watch our video review for Bright Cellars

The Bottom Line

Don’t like the wine club delivery you’ve received up at your doorstep? Reach out to the personal concierge team and you’ll be able to swap out that bad bottle free of charge.

5. Wine of the Month Club - Keto-Friendly, Over 100 Red Wines

Pro's
Budget-Friendly
Con's
Charges For Delivery

Wine of the Month Club

  • Varietals: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: Subscriptions
  • Subscription Price: $39 Minimum (Two Bottles)
  • Membership Plans: Monthly (No Sign-Up Fees)
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Email/Telephone
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Both Are Available
  • Cancellation Policy: Instant

No one recognizes a pioneer until some years have passed - just like Paul Kalemkiarian Sr, the creator of Wine Of The Month Club. When he founded it in 1972, there’s no way he knew just how valuable this service would become.

Combine the heritage with the flexibility, passion, and accessibility that this club offers today, it’s so easy to see why his creation has lasted so long.

It doesn’t deliver to all the states like some clubs do, but with the constant discounts, a massive selection of red wines, and the huge range of gifting opinions, it’s easy to see why Wine Of The Month Club has survived for near-on 40 years.

The Bottom Line

There aren’t many clubs that have had the chance to evolve through the years and adjust their services to match exactly what red wine lovers want.

6. Dry Farm Wines - Additive-Free Red Wines, Health-Focused

Pro's
Happiness Promise
Con's
A Bit Costly

Dry Farm Wines

  • Varietals: Malbec, Chianti, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: 3/6/12 Bottles
  • Subscription Price: Six Bottles ($171.00)/12 Bottles ($323.00)
  • Membership Plans: 3/6/12 Month
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes (Happiness Promise)
  • Customer Support: Email/Telephone
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Membership Only
  • Cancellation Policy: Instant

Dry Farm Wines is one of the few clubs that actually leaves you in charge. It’s super simple to sign up and members can cancel at any time. Plus, with the “Happiness” guarantee, you’ll be able to refund or replace any bottle that you don’t like or that doesn’t quite live up to its promise.

For those that know what they like or have a grasp on the grapes that they love the most, you’ll be pleased to know that additives, sugars, and the like won’t be found in any of the reds here.

Those that insist on drinking additive-free reds will feel right at home with Dry Farm Wines. Plus, delivery’s free, and its even suitable for those on a keto and paleo diet.

Watch our video review for Dry Farm Wines

The Bottom Line

Dry Farm Wines only provides entirely organic wine, and it’s all sourced from family farms.

7. Firstleaf -Affordable, Award-Winning Selection Of Reds

Pro's
Affordable Wines
Con's
Doesn’t Ship To All States

Firstleaf

  • Varietals: Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: Gift Cards
  • Subscription Price: $40 Per Month
  • Membership Plans: Monthly
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Email/Telephone
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Gift Cards Only
  • Cancellation Policy: Instant

Sign up for Firstleaf and you’ll be joining 150,000 other Americans that trust it for their red wine fix. There’s a huge range of award-winning wines and the best thing is, they’re more affordable than what you’ll find on the supermarket shelf.

After answering a few quick questions, you’ll get an order that’s personalized exactly to your tastes.

What really sets Firstleaf apart, though, is its ‘Wine School’ section. You can learn everything there is to know about wine before you buy it, and you don’t even need to be a member to use it. You’ll know how to read wine labels, the grapes used for red wines, and much more.

Watch our video review for Firstleaf

The Bottom Line

Firstleaf claims to have a 98% successful prediction rate, and for any that you don’t enjoy, you’ll receive credit to spend on your next order.

8. Wine Insiders - 100s Of Awards On Reds

Pro's
Free Shipping
Con's
Doesn’t Deliver To Certain States

Wine Insiders

  • Varietals: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Shiraz
  • Types of Gifts: Membership/Individual Bottles
  • Subscription Price: $89
  • Membership Plans: Monthly
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Email/Telephone
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Gift Memberships Only
  • Cancellation Policy: Instant

With more than 1000 award-winning wines available and zero commitments, Wine Insiders has earned its reputation as a reliable and affordable club.
Between Australia and Spain, this club lets you sample varietals from around the world, and offers a huge range of reds - from Merlot to Pinot Noir. There’s no way that you’ll run out of options here.

Wine Insiders partners with iron chefs and food expert Martha Stewart to curate a refined selection that continues to deliver the quality this club is known for. If it’s good enough for Martha, it’s good enough for us!

Watch our video review for Wine Insiders

The Bottom Line

For over 35 years, the aim has been to give access to premium, luxurious wine while keeping more cash in members’ pockets.

9. WSJ Wine - Expertly Curated, Worldwide Selection Of Reds

Pro's
No Membership Fees
Con's
No Customization

WSJ Wine

  • Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: A Huge Selection
  • Subscription Price: Up To $259.99 Per Shipment
  • Membership Plans: Every Three Months
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Email/Telephone
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Both Are Available
  • Cancellation Policy: Instant

The Wall Street Journal has been writing about wine for decades, so it makes sense for them to create their own club. It’s actually one of the first 12-bottle wine delivery services on the market.

For those that are looking to give the gift of wine - the best gift there is, of course - you can either sign up your nearest and dearest for a membership or shop from the huge selection of glasses, decanters, and much more.

WSJ Wine is so confident in its selection that it offers a 100% guarantee should you not like what’s been delivered. And if you change your mind on your membership, cancellations are instant.

Watch our video review for WSJ Wine

The Bottom Line

There are over 300 reds available with WSJ, and you can sample them all through its exclusive wine club or by placing individual orders.

10. Laithwaites - 50+ Years’ On The Go, Charity Contributor

Pro's
Members Enjoy Perks
Con's
Shipping Isn’t Free

Laithwaites

  • Varietals: Nebbiolo, Primitovo, Shiraz, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Others
  • Types of Gifts: A Wide Assortment
  • Subscription Price: $49.99
  • Membership Plans: Monthly
  • Money-Back / Satisfaction Guarantee: Yes
  • Customer Support: Email/Telephone
  • Gift Memberships & Gift Cards: Both Are Available
  • Cancellation Policy: Instant

Go back to 1969 and that’s when Americans first enjoyed personalized wine orders through Laithwaites. It’s one of the oldest clubs out there.

Laithwaites is constantly running promotions and giving its members the chance to save even more money than shopping elsewhere. Plus, after some real scrutiny from their expert sommeliers, new arrivals are always coming through the door. You can stick with what you know or leave it up to the pros to take care of your palate.

If you’re not quite ready for a full membership, you can purchase individual bottles for as little as $15, which is for sure the sweet spot for budget and quality.

Watch our video review for Laithwaites

The Bottom Line

With all these years in the wine business comes a level of knowledge and quality that many clubs simply can’t compete with.

Interesting Facts About Red Wine

Club Membership Supports The Industry

Small wineries have a harder time putting their product out there than the bigger brands do. This is the way it works for every industry. But what makes red wine club subscriptions so special is that you actually have the chance to support them.

There are tons of wine clubs that only work with independents and family-run wineries. With every case you order, you’re not only helping the independents get their greatness out there but also enabling your club to have the budget to seek out these hidden treasures.

Red Wine Has Health Benefits

Those that enjoy the one glass of red with their evening meal, or the odd tipple a few times a week, can relish the fact that doing so comes with certain benefits.

Now, don’t think you have a free pass - but who’d have thought that drinking alcohol can support health? It’s hardly obvious, so you won’t be blamed for thinking otherwise. Too much of a good thing is never good - whatever it is. But the levels of antioxidants in red wine - which are higher than what you’ll find in whites, by the way - can actually reduce the chances of heart disease. Just don’t overdo it.

Research shows that the younger the wine is that you drink, the better it is for you. All wine that’s produced these days is meant for one thing: to be drunk. We don’t all have a cellar to store prized vintages; in fact, most of us don’t.

Red Wine Changes Color With Age

Doesn’t everything lose its color with age? While whites become darker with age, reds actually become lighter. Leave a bottle of red to mature long enough and the pigments within it begin to give way - losing their color from a blush, deep red to a more rusty orange color.

Something that might seem unpredictable is that, while they offer different tastes - or at least colors - leave them long enough and both reds and whites will begin to look similar over time. After all, they’re often made from the same varietals. And this is what leads us to our next point.

Red Wine Grapes Can Be Used To Make White Wine

Ask yourself: what separates red wine from white?

To do so, you should first know which came first. It’s red wine. Red wine grapes came first. And what separates them is one component - the skins. Simply peeling the skins from red wine grapes is what brought us the notable husks and enrichments of Sangiovese Bianco and Pinogages, as well as the various other delightful, unforgettable whites.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What Makes Red Wine Clubs Worth It?

The chance to sample the best red wine doesn’t exactly come easy, or for cheap. Sure, you can get a bottle for around five bucks but to truly enjoy the greats, it’ll cost you a few more dollars than that. And that’s where red wine clubs come in.

Red wine clubs bring the world’s best to your doorstep. They’re what make sampling creations from different continents a possibility. And in most cases, they’re cheaper than retail.


How Is Red Wine Made?

Making red wine isn’t nearly as difficult as you might think. Grab a few grapes and you can even start making it at home if you want to. The process becomes a bit more complex when you’re running a world-renowned vineyard, though, as you can imagine. But the process hasn’t changed much in thousands of years.

Assuming the grapes have already been grown, picked, and primed, and that the wine will be bottled at the end, the steps are:

  • Grapes are prepared for fermentation: Stems are either removed or left on, depending on the type of red wine that’s being made. Leaving the stems on actually minimizes sourness and boosts the development of tannins. Sulfur dioxide is introduced to prevent spoilage.
  • Yeast Is Introduced: You can’t have alcohol without yeast. Some winemakers add what’s known as “commercial yeast” while others rely on the naturally occurring variety. The latter as you can no doubt imagine requires a more elaborate process but the benefits, though more time-consuming in their development, are huge. Think deeper flavors and more elegant aromas.
  • Fermentation: There are actually several methods for fermenting wine, believe it or not, and each has its own advantages. One thing that’s consistent in commercial wine fermentation, however, is that the skins should always be submerged. The method used is down to a winemaker’s preference. There’s typically always a second fermentation process that’s followed by what’s known as the “pressing”. This can even take as long as four years!
  • Elevage: Elevage is basically a fancy word for the aging of wine. We might’ve dumbed it down here, but don’t assume that this isn’t an important step. There are many ways to age wine and each one is there to be noticed. Do you know why? Cause it boils down to how the wine is stored.

Barrels, steel tanks, even glass: these are just a handful of the ways that red wine can be put away to improve it. And each one affects flavor. For example, storing red wine in wooden barrels is what gives it its oaky - and, often vanilla - profiles.

How Do I Know Which Glasses To Use?

When it comes to red, the larger the surface area the better. That’s because it needs much more space to breathe, allowing the harsh compounds to evaporate quicker.

Let’s say you’re drinking a nice full-bodied Syrah, the best one to use here would be what’s known as a “Bordeaux” glass. These are the taller glasses with a much wider bowl that pour straight to the back of your mouth. With what’s referred to as a “Burgundy” glass, the bowl is deeper, so the wine decorates the tip of your tongue first.

Do I Need A Decanter?

All wines can be decanted, but red benefits the most because it’s richer with sediments. One advantage every type of wine takes from decanting, though, even vegan, is the aeration. Allowing wine to breathe, if just for a few seconds, as it properly releases the beautiful aromas and lets it oxidize.

Does Age Affect The Wine?

All wine changes with age. Where red wine loses its color, white’s boldens, for example. Most people argue that red wine’s flavor and aromas actually increase with age, but it can certainly be too ‘old’ to drink, or spoil as a result. That’s because a number of factors, such as how it’s stored, humidity, and if a natural cork is used can alter the contents of a bottle. Primary flavors and secondary notes, like fruitiness, can begin to deteriorate after just six months.

Should I Pair Certain Foods With Red Wine?

Most definitely. Where white wine pairs better with leaner proteins like chicken and fish, red wine goes much better with lamb and red meat. Hearty dishes like stews, tomato-heavy meals, and certain cheeses work great too. The beauty of red wine club subscriptions is that most of them will share recipes to make pairings easy.

Which Red Wine Is Best For Gifting?

You’re kind of on your own here. Let’s be honest, this answer really boils down to how well you know the giftee.

Some people prefer not to drink red - many actively dislike it - but that doesn’t mean you can’t show them the light. The best place to start is with your favorites, or maybe a bottle you’ve been meaning to try for yourself that you could share together. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a nice Malbec.

Which Season Suits Red Wine The Most?

Picture this: the logs in your lounge fireplace are crackling, winter’s in full force, and you’ve got a glass of red in hand. Sounds perfect, right? Well, you’re not wrong. Red is perfect for the colder months.

The thing is, red wine is actually perfect all year round. You might find a nice glass of white to be the ideal choice in the summer heat, but it all boils down to what you’re pairing it with. Plus, a glass of Chianti in the beaming sun isn’t a bad thing - light-bodied reds are ideal for the hot months because they can be chilled slightly. Even full-bodied reds are great at these temperatures - you’re the master of your own destiny!

What Sort Of Flavor Profiles Can Be Found In Red Wine?

If you’re familiar with red wine, you’ll know that it’s not just the fruity aromas and flavors that are there to be enjoyed. That’s because, generally, there are three layers to every bottle you open: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

  • Primary: These flavors come from the fruit itself. Expect rich, floral notes of dark fruits like blackberry; perhaps the essence of cocoa, and other aromas.
  • Secondary: It’s with this layer that the fermentation process really shines. Think yeasty and creamy flavors, like mushrooms and butter.
  • Tertiary: Now, most wine these days is made to be drunk rather than savored. But age brings its own set of flavors: this is where notes of leather, tobacco, and nuttiness come through the most.