WINC Wine Club Review in 2022

You love wine. You like trying different types of wine. But when you have to pick a good bottle, you stress out… or just don’t always have time.

Floral notes, chalky tannins and hints of sweet spice: it all sounds very poetic, but – admittingly – can also be confusing.

There are an estimated 25,000 different bottles of wine for sale on the current market, so spoiled for choice seems like an understatement.

Fortunately, there is a solution to your wine-dilemmas: Winc Wine Club. We’re going in-depth on this subscription service in this extensive Winc Review.

Get reading, get inspired and get drinking!

(Note: You can get $22 OFF & free shipping with our coupon code using this link here.)

Winc Wine Club Review

• Winc Wine Club is – as its name already reveals – a wine delivery service based on a subscription that has been single-handedly redefining the wine subscription market.
• Each month, Winc delivers a personalized selection of 4 bottles right at your doorstep. No more wandering aimlessly through the aisle of your local wine shop or liquor store.
• What makes Winc Wine Club different than other subscription services is that it doesn’t just deliver the wines: it also creates wines, and helps pick the wines for you.
• Winc Wine Club is an affordable way to entertain your taste-buds with a monthly selection of quality labels. This means you’ll get to enjoy amazing value-for-money bottles ($13 to $42) as the company has cut down on unnecessary third-party costs.
• Wines types range from Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, plus Cider, Rosé, and Sparkling Wine.

3 Reasons to Choose Winc Wine Club

In this Winc Review, I’ll explain why this subscription is a prime choice in wine delivery services. But, to quickly summarize why you should continue reading this Winc review, I’ll share my 3 reasons why you should know more about Winc:

1. A Custom, Personalized and Curated Experience

• After completing a simple quiz to set up your profile, Winc uses a special algorithm to select wines that match your flavor preferences.
• Each monthly box includes 4 bottles curated for your specific taste buds.
• However, you can also change the bottles (and wine types) before shipment: mix and matching your favorites. Or, to suit your budget and social agenda.

2. Premium Quality and Outstanding Value-for-money

• In contrast to other wine subscription services that simply rely on third-party suppliers for their wines, Winc has gone straight to the source: producing. This means that Winc is not just in control of the wines, it’s also in control of the vines.
• The company employs renowned vintners and has partnered up with independent winemakers. This allows Winc to adhere to the highest quality standard, and also maintain a great diversity of labels in its rich assortment.

3. A 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

• Another reason you should know more about Winc is the company’s special 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
• If you really don’t like a bottle, simply contact the Winc Concierge and arrange to receive full credit.
• This credit can be used on procuring Winc wines in your next delivery. (Note: some restrictions apply.)

4. Bonus Reason: With Our Promo Code You Get $22 OFF & Complimentary Shipping

At Ilovewine.com we’ve also secured a special Winc Review promo code for you – our readers – that can be used at Winc Wine Club to get a fantastic $22 off (plus complimentary shipping) on your first order. Simply apply the promo code ilovewine20 during your checkout process and save big!

About Winc

Before we dive into this Winc Review, let’s recap what this service, also known as simply Winc, is all about.

• Winc is a monthly wine subscription service that delivers 4 bottles (you can select more if preferred) right to your door.
• Founded in 2012 by Xander Oxman and Geoff McFarlane, the company was created from a belief that wine should be ‘simpler to get and easier to enjoy’.
• Already a strong blend of entrepreneurial spirit, Winc added an extra note of expertise to the team when Brian Smith – renowned sommelier and winemaker – joined the company.
• At the start, Winc – like the majority of wine services – supplied customers with third-party produced wines. Though the company already was ahead of the pack, using its algorithm to personalize boxes based on palate profiles, it was not yet the powerhouse it is today.
• The shift came in the summer of 2015 when Winc hired seven winemakers: transforming it from a wine distributor to a wine producer.
• Based on their already substantial user data, Winc knew exactly what the modern-day consumer likes, wants and desires. This gave the company the knowledge and tools to create a curated experience for every kind of wine aficionado.

Something For Everyone

From novices that choose wine based on a cooky, fun label, to wine connoisseurs that prefer more complex blends: Winc caters to all experience-levels, tastes, and budgets. For example, these are the 17 different wine categories listed on the Winc website:

Winc’s Wine Regions

Winc procures and produces wines all over the globe, but one of its main wine regions the state of California. This region accounts for 90% of all American wine on the market (and also the biggest chunk of Winc’s assortment). It’s the go-to destination for quality vines.

Why is California such a prolific wine region?

Simple: it’s been blessed with the ‘ideal wine climate’.

California Wine Region

• Vinifera vines (the vines used in the winemaking process) are quite particular when it comes to growing conditions.
• Firstly, they aren’t equipped for cold temperatures. In most cases, the vines will die when the temperatures drop below 5° F. This makes cultivating them in the Northern or Eastern States quite a challenge.
• Secondly, a climate that has fluctuations of high temperatures and high humidity might enable a spread of fungal diseases. Ruling out the humid Midwestern or Southern states.
• The California wine regions have neither of these two factors: they are warm, bask in bountiful sunshine and profit from their proximity to the Pacific Ocean to maintain a dry climate.
• These ideal conditions present ample opportunities for vine growers. Winc instantly saw the potential of the Golden State when it started its wine producing adventure.
• For the production of its first wine, WKND, Winc focussed on a small area near Santa Barbara. This sunny California location had all the ingredients for outstanding vines. It was near the sea, and just at the intersection where the climate rapidly transforms.
• As this is the exact sweet spot where the climate goes from warm and dry (befitting Cabernet Sauvignon) to cold and moist (perfect for Pinot Noir).

Following the success of their original Californian wine, Winc Wine Club still maintains a large presence in the Golden State; offering dozens of Californian wine types in its curated selection.

Different Californian Wine

1. Capuchon Grenache Blanc

Capuchon Grenache Blanc is produced in the Happy Canyon region of Santa Barbara County. This bright, crisp white wine has its grapes hand-picked from the Jack McGinley vineyard, noted for its mineral-rich soils.

2. Restless Earth Cabernet Sauvignon

• Another prime Californian choice in the Winc Wine Club selection, the 2017 Restless Earth Cabernet Sauvignon, also hails from the area.
• This Cabernet is produced in the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard.
• The climate there is so dry, just a few inches of rainfall each year, that it generates an optimum level of UV-rays. Combined with warm temperatures, the acidity of the grapes is perfectly preserved.
• This allows them to hang longer and develop an incredible depth of flavor.
• These factors create an outstanding quality Cabernet with a rich taste profile that will surprise and entice fans of bold reds.

These two wines are just a delicious sample of Winc’s Santa Barbara County wines. Others include:

• 2016 Selected Works Pinot Noir
• 2016 DIME Red Blend
• 2016 Porter & Plot Syrah
• 2017 Diviner Sauvignon
• 2017 Funk Zone Red Blend
• 2017 Field Theory Semillon
• 2017 Au-Delà Sémillon
• 2017 Au-Delà Tocai Friulano

More Golden State Delights

Santa Barbara County and its-

• Santa Ynez Valley
• Happy Canyon
• Sta Rita Hills
• Santa Maria Valley wine regions (AVA’s)

These are the hotspots for outstanding vines. However, it’s not the only California location Winc has sowed its (grape) seeds. The company has a network of expert vintners and partnering vineyards all over the Golden State.

And you may, therefore, also encounter quality bottles from the following Californian wine regions in your monthly subscription box:

• Carneros-Sonoma
• Sonoma Coast
• Alexander Valley
• Mendocino, Monterey
• Lime Kiln Valley
• Napa Valley
• Lodi
• Paso Robles
• Santa Cruz Mountains
• Central Coast

International Flair

If your taste-buds fancy a bit of international flair, this wine delivery service also has you covered, such as:

• France- Costières de Nîmes, 2017 L’Atelier du Sud Red Blend
• Portugal- 2017 Passarola Red Wine Portugal, 2017 Passarola White Blend
• Spain- 2017 Yé-Yé Monastrell Vino de Espana, 2017 Altre Món Red Wine Vino de Espana
• Austria- 2017 Far + Wide Grüner Veltliner
• Chile- 2018 Alma Libre Sauvignon Blanc Aconcagua, 2018 Alma Libre Pinot Noir Aconcagua
• Argentina- 2018 Mercana Malbec Mendoza
• South Africa- 2018 Cape Route Chenin Blanc Western Cape, 2018 Cape Route Cinsault Western Cape

How Does Winc Work?

Step 1- Getting Started

• For this Winc Review, I simply clicked over to the brand’s website and clicked the ‘Get Started’ button, prominently displayed on the Winc home page:

• You are instantly redirected to the special ‘Palate Profile Quiz’ which helps Winc determine your taste preferences.
• Based on your choices and Winc’s innovative algorithm, the quiz makes a suggestion of wines that may delight you. There are 5 multiple-choice questions to be answered:

“How Do You Like Your Coffee?”
“How Do You Feel About Salt?”
“Do You Like Citrus?”
“Do You Like Earthy Flavors Like Mushrooms And Black-Truffles?”
“Do You Like Blackberries, Blueberries And Raspberries?”

For example:

• The questions are used to determine your preferences for different flavor profiles, if you like your coffee black, you probably won’t mind a slightly bitter wine. If you love berries, you’ll tend to appreciate a fruity blend etc. They might seem like simple questions, but combined with Winc extensive user data, state-of-the-art algorithm, and wine expertise, the outcome is 4 suggested labels that should suit your palate.

Step 2- Determine Your Budget

• Next in the Palate Profile Quiz is the question: “How much do you usually spend on a bottle of wine?” The options: $15, $20 or $25+. Answer honestly, you’re not trying to impress anyone.
• Winc doesn’t judge if you’ve only tried less expensive wines, it simply helps find wines that suit your budget! For this Winc Review, I selected the cheapest, $15 option.
• Now you’ve reached the final step in the Winc Palate Profile Quiz: select your preferences for white or red.
• You can fill your monthly box with two of each, or adjust the quantity to your liking. I personally went for a full red box (four bottles) as I had a few dinner parties where I knew red would match better with the food served, giving me the chance to not just test the wines for myself, but also get my friends’ opinion on Winc’s selection.

Step 3- The Recommendations

• You’ll get redirected to a sign-up screen, where you’ll be asked to provide your details to continue to the selection of wines Winc has curated for you.
• Don’t worry: as I found out for this Winc review, filling in your details won’t automatically enroll you in a subscription – so if you’re still hesitant about trying this service, this step is no obligation to actually start a membership.
• After you’ve created an account, you’ll receive a screen with an overview of the wines recommended:

• The best part about this is that you can simply swap any wine in your selection for a different option from the Winc assortment if you happen to doubt a bottle(s) Winc suggested.
• There are all types of wines to choose from, with prices starting from $13 dollar a bottle.
• However, the main reason you’re probably reading this review is that you crave a service that takes the research and guesswork out of your wine buying – so if this is you: simply stick to your Winc selection and let it surprise and entice you.
• After each delivery you’ll have the option to evaluate and rate the wine, helping Winc learn more about your taste buds.
• It also helps the company provide even better recommendations as your membership progresses. And remember: if you really dislike a bottle, there’s also the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee that allows you to get full Winc credit for the wine. Cheers to that!

My Winc Review selection

After filling out the Palate Profile Quiz I was presented with 4 suggested reds. This selection included:

• 2018 Mercana Malbec from Argentina
• the 2017 Altre Món (red blend) from Spain
• 2017 L’Atelier du Sud Red Blend from France
• 2017 Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon, produced locally in California.

I was pleasantly surprised by the mix of types of wines Winc came up with. The Mercana and Altre Món were both accompanied by a description that talked about spices like tobacco and pepper.

In contrast, the L’Atelier du Sud Red Blend and Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon had more fruity personalities with notes of berries. I was intrigued by how they would compare to my regular liquor store choices.

Learn More About Your Choices

Before starting a membership and ordering the wines, I wanted to learn more about their individual characteristics. This brings me to the next part of this Winc Review: receiving a wine education.

• Winc is big on sustainability and has decided to put most of its wine information online, instead of in a bulky brochure. This differs from other wine clubs, who often include a printed brochure with each order.
• With Winc, you’ll receive a periodical copy of the Winc Journal: a compact booklet with useful information. Read about the current wines in Winc’s assortment, winemakers, and enjoy suggestions on food pairings and more.
• However, if you want to get more specific information regarding the Winc wines, I’d redirect you to the Winc website. In the My Orders section on the Winc website, you’ll find relevant info regarding any ordered wines, or you can simply browse the entire curated selection via the Shop All page.
• When you click a particular product, you’ll get a great overview of what to expect in regards to tasting notes, food pairings and more. Examples of wine info available on winc:

1. 2017 Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Profile:

2. 2018 Mercana Malbec Taste Profile:

 

 

 

 

 

Pros

• You can find all the basic information regarding wines in one, sleek overview.
• It lists the notes and tannins, suggested food pairings and background content on where the wine comes from.
• It gives you plenty of interesting knowledge to impress your friends with, and allows you to learn more about your own taste preferences in a quick, effective way.

Cons

• If you’re looking for a full-education on wine, Winc might not be the subscription service for you.
• Though the company provides plenty of useful info, its printed and online materials aren’t as in-depth as some aspiring wine sommeliers might desire.

Then again, considering an ‘Intensive Sommelier Training Program’ at the International Culinary Center in New York costs nearly ten grand for a 10-week course, you can’t really expect a wine subscription that starts around 60 dollars a month to teach you all the magical ways of the grape…

Benefits of a Winc Wine Club Membership

After reading up on the 4 wines Winc had suggested to me, I went ahead and placed my first order, automatically starting my membership.

In contrast to other wine delivery services, Winc charges no membership fees. All you pay for is the wine itself! This deal is a pure steal – considering how competitively priced the bottles already are. Some other benefits of Winc wine club membership are:

1. Skip and Save

The Winc Membership allows you to skip a month, as often as you like, at no charge. This is perfect for when you’re away on holiday and can’t take delivery or when you simply have had a rough month financially and need to save on non-essential purchases.

Though, if you ask me, wine is always essential. The only restriction is that you’ll have to request this 48 hours before the monthly processing date of your order.

A tip: set a reminder in your phone to keep track when this is due.

2. Complimentary Shipping

All Winc members enjoy complimentary shipping on orders of 4 bottles or more.

Yes, this also means you can cut your subscription to 3 bottles per month instead of the standard 4. But, as you will pay for shipping, you might as well add another bottle to your order, instead of shelling out money on postage.

3. Order More, Save More

Winc also offers its members the option to save more, by ordering more, with a special Case Discount. If you order 12 bottles (or more), you’ll receive an additional 10% off your order.

The best part? You can mix and match all wines to meet this quota.

Select 12 of your own favorites, or order a few for friends and family: as these quality wines also make great gift-options for any occasion. The discount is automatically applied at check-out if your order is eligible.

4. Member Credits

Winc Members also have the opportunity to purchase Winc credits at a discounted rate, meaning you’ll receive an even better deal on bottles. For example, you can buy $300 dollar of shopping credit for just $275 – giving you an instant $25 dollar of your orders.

5. Referral perks

Another way to earn free Winc credit is by referring friends via a personal invite link. Yes, you know the type of posts I am talking about, as Winc certainly isn’t the first company to offer a referral deal.

However, it is worth the effort spamming your friends about this wine club: as Winc gives you $15 dollar in credit if a friend signs up. Credits for you, great quality wine for them: it’s a win-win-situation.

6. Satisfaction Guarantee

Another perk of membership is the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

This guarantee entitles that if you don’t like the wine you were sent, you can get credited for the full value of your bottle. This unique 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is very rarely found when it comes to monthly wine subscriptions and testifies that Winc firmly stands behind the quality of its service.

Worth mentioning: Winc has put a disclaimer with its Satisfaction Guarantee. “We reserve the right to deny Satisfaction Guarantee to customers who abuse the policy,” which seems more than fair considering it offers full credit back on wines.

3 Top-Rated Winc Wines

Prior to giving my verdict on the 4 bottles I tested for this Winc Review, I want to briefly highlight the top-rated wines; as judged by other Winc members.

After you’ve received your shipment, Winc gives you to option to rate your bottles. Rating wines has two functions: it helps the company’s algorithm further specify your palate profile, plus it also allows you to see what others thought of their order.

These wines represent the highest user scores from Winc members (and if they are not part of your box, you might want to swap them in to try these popular options):

The #1 Red, Rosé and White Wines on Winc*

*at time of review publication

Wines I Received

To quickly recap: the 4 wines I received in my first box were the:

• 2018 Mercana Malbec (Argentina)
• 2017 Altre Món Red Wine (Spain)
• 2017 L’Atelier du Sud Red Blend (France)
• 2017 Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

After reading up on Winc’s wine regions and discovering their big presence in California, I was surprised my box only included 1 Californian wine and 3 international options.

Though the Argentine, Spanish and French wines are great blends with interesting flavor profiles (in particular the herbal notes in the Altre Món Red Wine); the Californian bottle in my box was superior.

Go for the Chop!

• The Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon is a jammy, full-bodied wine with a fruity personality.
• Hints of black currant and red cherry balance well with its tasting notes of eucalyptus and baking spice.
• This is a pure crowd-pleaser.

When my friends came over for dinner during, I decided to do a little blind-tasting with all 4 bottles for my Winc Review. How? Simple: just place each bottle in a paper bag and voila, you have a ‘blind’ wine tasting session. The verdict was unanimous: the Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon was a clear winner.

Other Winc members agree, rating this wine 4.2 stars out of 5 (compared to the other bottles in my box – with ratings of 3.7 and 3.8).

Mix and Match

Trying out domestic wines is a great way to get a taste of the Golden State’s and support our American wine industry. Even the #1 rated Red, White, and Rosé in Winc’s assortment originate from sunny California.

So, even though I enjoyed all the options in my Winc Wine Club subscription for this Winc Review, I definitely want to mix and match my box to sample some local delights in my next delivery!

Winc Wine Club: The Overall Winc Review Verdict

When I set out to write this Winc Review, I wasn’t quite sure how this wine subscription service would differ from others I’ve tried in the past. After doing my research and trying a few options from Winc’s assortment, I can say for certain that this company is a game-changer in the world of wine at your doorstep.

Winc Wine Club is the perfect choice for those that like wine, but hate the stress that comes with picking out a ‘great’ bottle. This service caters exactly to consumers who want to try new things at a price they can still afford.

Winc offers great value-for-money quality and a flexible membership without any pesky hidden fees or locked-in contracts.

If you don’t like being a Winc member, the company allows you to cancel your subscription free of charge. If you are a Winc fan, there are special incentives, such as the referral program, to help you save even more on your monthly orders.

Personalized Fun

With 60+ wines to choose from, there is something for every taste preference in the Winc assortment. Taking the ‘Palate Profile Quiz’ and using a special algorithm is a smart, personalized way this company matches your likes and dislikes to its curated assortment of wines. And having the option to edit the suggested bottles in your monthly box is a big bonus. In conclusion to this Winc Review: Winc is fun, easy (goodbye stress!), affordable, transparent (no hidden fees) and very flexible.

My Advise

Overall, I’d definitely recommend all wine lovers to give this subscription-based delivery service a try; you won’t be disappointed.

And remember, if you are, Winc offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on its wines. So, you can always voice your thoughts with a Winc Concierge and arrange for a refund in Winc credit. You have nothing to lose, and a lot of great wine to gain!

Winc Review: Promo Code available!

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