Vinebox vs Bright Cellars Comparison 2022

About Vinebox  

Vinebox operates with the philosophy that subscribers should have full command over what’s in their cellars. To this end, it offers a one-off model where you get a shipment of tasting vials and, if you land one you like, can order a full bottle. The club will arrange sourcing and delivery.

About Bright Cellars  

Bright Cellars was created in 2013 by Richard Yau and Joe Laurendi, two friends and MIT graduates who liked the drinks scene and wanted to find a way of blending a consumer wine space with their top-notch tech knowledge. As such, Bright Cellars has customized tasting technology for spot-on shipments.

Vinebox Main Benefits Overall 

The stand-out feature of Vinebox is it puts you at the helm of choosing what’s in your wine rack. This is possibly more appealing for those who have some wine experience already, have tried the standard club model, and decided they’d like to select their own full bottles after tasting them.

Vinebox largely works with vintners in classic European regions so if you like iconic varietals and styles made with Old World skill, this club is ideal. You pay for full bottles with credits you build up with each shipment and can feel confident that your money all-around is well spent.

Bright Cellars Main Benefits Overall 

Bright Cellars’ calling card is its tasting technology made with the skill and vision of its two founders to devise personalized palate profiles for each member. This occurs with a short, seven-question quiz that delves into your preferences, and – voilà – you have your own taste profile that’s the cornerstone of what goes into each of your cases.

What’s more, you can rate each bottle as you sip along which automatically updates your profile leading to a stream of tailored shipments. Bright Cellars sources labels from all the major regions covering a range of styles and grapes.

Overall Winner

Vinebox

Vinebox Wine Selection 

Vinebox has tried 11,358 labels to date (and counting) and only passed 1% for inclusion in its taster vials so you know you’re getting excellent quality. It works with quality off-the-beaten-track producers across key European wine regions so it’s a top white wine club with its Pinot Gris, Chardonnays, and Rieslings.

There’s plenty of good red wine to be had in these parts as well so your taster set will have a good balance plus there’ll be an occasional rosé. Vinebox gets in first and builds its range around new, exciting releases, whether youthful or developing wines, before they all get snapped up.

Bright Cellars Wine Selection 

Bright Cellars selection covers favorites like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec so offers plenty to anyone seeking a sound red wine club. That being said, it also has just as much on the white front with all your favorite varietals made in different styles from across the globe.

It occasionally stocks sweet and off-dry wines, plus it has a small but good line of wines produced using sustainable and biodynamic farming methods if you like to keep the environment in mind. Its wine tasting team has an eye out for quality and variety so ferrets out untapped grapes alongside popular varieties. One in 12 of tasted labels passes.

Wine Selection Winner:

Vinebox

Vinebox Wine Subscription Plans 

With a regular Vinebox subscription, you get nine glass-sized servings of reds and whites (and sometimes rosés) every quarter. The quantity of each comes to 100ml which is just about right for a good nose, swirl, and taste to help you to make a decision.

You don’t need to worry about the tasters arriving stale or oxidized either. Vinebox uses advanced fractioning technology which envelopes aromas and flavors freshly and snugly into each vial. You have the option of paying quarterly or annually with the former working out a tad more expensive. There may be a waiting list.

Bright Cellars Wine Subscription Plans 

Bright Cellars subscription plans have something to offer all levels of sippers. If you like a steady flow of wine in your home, there’s the monthly option. If you prefer a slower pace, there’s the bi-monthly plan, and for those who need an occasion stocking up, there’s the quarterly delivery.

Whichever choice you go for, the fee is $80 per case and the contents are matched to your preferences through the tasting tech described earlier. You enjoy perks like rewards for bonus bottles earned by rating your wines and introducing friends to the club.

Subscription Plans Winner:

Bright Cellars

Vinebox Pricing and Shipping 

If you choose to pay for your Vinebox subscription every three months, the charge is $79. You can opt for a double-up of shipments and take advantage of a 10% discount. It may be worthwhile paying upfront for a year though as it works out at $288 which represents a significant saving.

If this sounds good to you and you carry on your subscription the following billing cycle, you’re charged quarterly at a reduced rate of $72. Your Vinebox shipment arrives about five days after your membership starts or renews and if you have to alter the date for any reason, the club will do its best to accommodate you. Delivery is free of charge.

Bright Cellars Pricing and Shipping 

You can sleep at night in the knowledge that your Bright Cellars cases are only being transported by reputable companies like UPS and FedEx. Bright Cellars is also extra careful with your bottles during extremely hot or cold weather: it simply won’t hit the road until conditions become better, so the temperatures don’t negatively impact your wines.

If you don’t make it back home in time and miss a delivery, the courier will try two more times before the shipment is returned to Bright Cellars giving you flexibility. It’s not clear from the Bright Cellars website what the policy is on charging for shipping. We’re assuming it’s included in the membership fee but don’t quote us on that.

Pricing and Shipping Winner:

Vinebox

Vinebox Customer Service and Guarantee 

Vinebox invests a lot of time and cash into sourcing the finest, most interesting labels from around Europe but it knows tastes are very personal. If you aren’t satisfied with your tasters, the club can’t take returns because of alcohol shipping laws.

However, if the case was damaged or compromised while en route, you’re invited to contact the club via email and attach a photograph that clearly shows what the problem is. Vinebox will make you whole with a refund or by re-shipping the same bottle at no cost. It seems that email and social media messaging are the only ways of getting in touch with this club.

Bright Cellars Customer Service and Guarantee

If you have a problem with your delivery, Bright Cellars has several ways of making amends. If it’s simply a matter of you not being enthusiastic about your wine, the concierge team is waiting to hear from you to sort it out and they’ll likely add a free bottle in your next case.

If the issue relates to damaged or defective bottles, you have a responsibility to inform Bright Cellars within 30 days of delivery to be eligible for a refund. It’s important to note that the club doesn’t give refunds on gift cards. You can contact customer service by phone or by email during office hours.

Customer Service and Guarantee Winner:

Bright Cellars

Vinebox Cancellation Terms  

You have the freedom to terminate your Vinebox membership at any time via email. However, this doesn’t apply retrospectively so if you try to cancel just after you’ve paid a regular subscription fee, the club won’t be able to refund you. In other words, the cancellation comes into effect for the next shipment.

This policy applies equally to monthly and annual memberships meaning you can’t cancel the latter halfway through. If you need to skip a box for any reason, Vinebox is pretty reasonable about this. As with cancellation, explain in writing and in a timely fashion. 

Bright Cellars Cancellation Terms  

You’re free to end your Bright Cellars membership whenever it suits via an online request system. The customer service team will ask you why you want to quit because it could be over a matter that can be dealt with.

Maybe you’re not getting the best value out of the club because you’re not rating your wine for personalized shipments for example. Bright Cellars will find out if there’s anything it could do differently to make your membership experience better. That being said, if you can’t be persuaded otherwise, the club will ensure cancellation is as smooth as possible.

Cancellation Terms Winner:

Bright Cellars

Vinebox Wine Gifts 

Vinebox offers some great gift options that take away the pain of thinking about what to get a wine lover for their birthday or other celebration. Firstly, you can send credit via email at $158 for two boxes over six months or $288 for double the quantity.

Your loved one can also pick and choose themselves from different gift options and also enjoy the benefit of stocking up on wine credits the club offers regular members. If you prefer to send a physical box, Vinebox can arrange this. The club can also discuss bespoke corporate gifts. 

Bright Cellars Gifts 

If you enjoy Bright Cellars, chances and you’d like to share some of the joy with fellow oenophiles. The club has a gift card program that fits the bill. You have the choice of anything from one to 12 months’ worth of wine with monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, and annual delivery frequencies. Each month costs $100 and entitles your loved one to half a dozen bottles.

For an extra $10, you can send a physical gift card all beautifully packed up with a message and a Bright Cellars corkscrew to whet their wine appetite. There’s also an email gift card option.

Buy as a Gift Winner:

Bright Cellars