Vinebox vs California Wine Club Comparison 2022

About Vinebox  

The modus operandi of Vinebox is that wine lovers should be in charge of every bottle on their shelf. To this end, it offers a one-off model where you get a set of nine tasting vials and you have the opportunity to order a full bottle of what you enjoy.

About California Wine Club  

California Wine Club was launched in 1990 by a pair of oenophiles who were and are enamored with small wineries in the Golden State and all their fine wares. The philosophy of this club is to connect wine lovers with these vintners in a wine win-win for everyone.

Vinebox Main Benefits Overall 

The unique selling point for Vinebox is it lets you be your own sommelier with full command over what’s in your “cellar” by picking from a range of tasters.

While this is appealing to those who know about wine already, it’s a good way in for beginners as well as learning and enjoying is very hands-on.

The mainstay of the Vinebox range covers classic producers from iconic European regions so if you enjoy Old World reds and whites, you’ll appreciate this club. You also know your investment in the club is sound because get what you want, and you never have to sip wine you’re unenthusiastic about.

California Wine Club Main Benefits Overall 

Whether you’re in the know about the varietals and styles of reds and whites California is known for or you’re new to the region, this club has decades of experience to share with you.

Its membership packages cover the cornerstones of Californian wines. It goes into popular areas in depth giving you a good ready-made choice about what you want to explore in this region.

It also touches on the Pacific North West and classic international regions. This club has several wine clubs for a range of pockets and preferences plus very flexible gift membership options for personal and corporate purposes. 

Overall Winner

Both Vinebox and Californian Wine Club both do what they say on the tin so it’s a tie.

Vinebox Wine Selection 

Working with European wineries needless to say, Vinebox is a top white wine club because it has a direct line to some of the finest Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling across a range of regions plus a host of exceptional and famous red varietals from across the continent too.

Vintners are leaders in their specialities, handcrafting wines with skill and dedication. Vinebox works exclusively with wineries so you’ll probably only find the wines in their range unless you travel off the beaten track to the winery yourself! The club is committed to keeping things fresh so updates its range on a regular basis.

California Wine Club Wine Selection 

Most of California Wine Club’s portfolio comes from a vast web of top artisanal California vintners making it an excellent red wine club.

There’ll be all those powerful Zinfandels and amazing red blends that the Golden State has such a stellar reputation for. It’s also known for its whites produced with the local touch, so you’ll be well stocked up there too. This club has page after page of wineries it works with, built up over decades so has inroads into the best, latest, and most interesting for members.

Wine Selection Winner:

Again, each club follows its philosophy with dedication so there’s no overall winner.

Vinebox Wine Subscription Plans 

With a Vinebox subscription, every quarter you receive nine glass-sized servings (100ml) of reds and whites (and sometimes rosés).

The amount is generous for a private tasting session you can hold in the comfort and privacy of your own home. If you like one and want a full bottle, Vinebox will source it and arrange delivery and you pay with credits built up over previous shipments.

Your vials all arrive fresh and bright because of advanced fractioning tech Vinebox uses. There’s the option to pay quarterly or annually with the latter working out a little cheaper. There may be a waiting list.

California Wine Club Wine Subscription Plans 

The California Wine Club offers five membership options including themes like aged Cabernet, premier California wines, international wines, and limited-production wines. In most, you receive two bottles and for the limited-edition option, you can opt for four at a higher price.

There’s also a 12-bottle club with the Case Club Series where you get three bottles each of four different wines. Shipments start at $41.95 and go anywhere up to $231 depending on the category of wines.

Each club has monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly deliveries. When you reorder favorites, you get a 20% discount. You can also opt for only reds or whites.

Subscription Plans Winner:

California Wine Club

Vinebox Pricing and Shipping 

You have two payment choices with Vinebox; quarterly or annually. If you choose to pay for Vinebox membership every three months, the cost is $79.

You can get a double-up of the shipments with a discount of 10%. If, on the other hand, you go for advance annual payment, the cost is $288 representing a significant saving.

Say you do choose to pay for a year upfront, if you renew at the end of the cycle, as a way of thanking you for your loyalty you can go back to quarterly payments at a reduced rate of $72. Delivery is free for both options.

California Wine Club Pricing and Shipping 

As mentioned earlier, subscriptions start at $41.95 and go anywhere up to $231 across a range of clubs that suit different tastes and pockets.

As far as delivery charges go, every case or half case ships for $1 to most states and you can track shipping once your order arrives in your local area.

Delivery is with licensed carriers and takes from two days to three weeks depending on which state you live in. If you aren’t going to be at home for delivery, there’s a dedicated number you can call to arrange for an alternative.

Pricing and Shipping Winner:

Vinebox

Vinebox Customer Service and Guarantee 

Vinebox knows that wine tastes are very individual, and its tasting model goes a long way to you receiving what you want because you’re the one who picks a full bottle.

If you aren’t satisfied with your tasters unfortunately, the club can’t accept returns because of strict alcohol shipping laws. However, if the shipment arrives compromised or damaged, you can contact Vinebox by email attaching a photograph that clearly shows the problem.

The club will sort out a refund or resend a replacement bottle of the damaged label free of charge. Email and via social media messaging are the methods of contact.

WSJ Wine Club Customer Service and Guarantee

You can contact the California Wine Club customer service team via email or phone for any queries you may have about your general membership or delivery.

As far as a satisfaction guarantee goes, the club boasts what it calls a “Love It” guarantee. If you receive a bad bottle, it will reship a replacement right away.

What’s more, you have access to personal wine consultants who get to know what you like so can guide you when necessary. The club has a few perks including VIP passes for members to partner wineries whenever they’re in California. It also offers a wine storage service.

Customer Service and Guarantee Winner:

California Wine Club

Vinebox Cancellation Terms  

You can cancel your subscription whenever it suits you via email but if you’ve already paid your subscription fee for your next shipment, Vinebox can’t give you a refund.

Upon cancellation, you need to wait for your cancellation to take effect in the next billing cycle. This is the case for the annual package as well, so you’ll need to wait however long you have left in the schedule before cancellation comes into play.

You have the flexibility to skip a box when you want. Simply get in touch in the same way you would for cancellation and make sure to do it in time, so you don’t miss out.

California Wine Club Cancellation Terms  

You have the right to cancel your membership at any time and there are no hidden charges.

The California Wine Club offers three convenient ways of closing your subscription. You can get in touch with customer service via phone, or send it an email.

If you’d rather do the deed yourself, go into the My Account page on the club website and click "Make Changes to My Existing Membership" where you’ll find an option for cancellation.

Cancellation Terms Winner:

California Wine Club

Vinebox Wine Gifts 

Vinebox offers an array of handy gift options that are an excellent way to surprise a wine lover on their birthday or another memorable occasion.

Firstly, you can send credit of $158 for two boxes over six months or $288 for four via email. With these deliveries, your loved one gets to stock up on wine credits just like a regular member would.

If you’d like to leave the selection to your recipient, there are a number of gift options they can pick and choose from themselves. Prefer to send your gift physically? Vinebox can also help out with that.

California Wine Club Gifts 

If you’re loving your California Wine Club and want to introduce a friend or family member to the club, there’s a great range of options for doing so.

The club will tailor delivery frequencies to your choice. Depending on how much your loved one likes wine and labels from California in particular, you can go for anything from one to 12 shipments.

If you aren’t sure about what subscription to send, you can arrange for an electronic gift certificate instead so you and your loved one are covered. It also has a corporate gift service with special discounts on a range of shipments.

Buy as a Gift Winner:

California Wine Club