Shopping Around
Boutique Winery Clubs
SHOP - October 28, 2009
Brilliant sunshine bathed the vineyards on the valley floor below. A fluttering awning shielded the sun's scorching rays as we dangled our feet in cool water. Ice kept the Seta just right. Kathy kept everyone laughing.
We relive these vivid memories with each bottle of Seta, a lovely, barrel fermented blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from Signorello Vineyards, made in the style of traditional whites from Graves in Bordeaux. It's easy to fall in love with a winery and its wine when caught up in the excitement and romance of wine country.
Boutique winery club members benefit from discounts, access to special facilities (like the infinity pool at Signorello) and member only events including winemaker and vintner dinners. These perks make them particularly valuable to frequent visitors. For others, wines that arrive at your doorstep often come with handy winemaker notes and pairing suggestions.
But membership can bring a hefty financial commitment to regular shipments (usually between two to six a year) which presents a dilemma. Few wine budgets are unlimited; and the world of wine is vast and fun to explore. Membership gives explorers easy access to boutique wines otherwise hard to find. But after a while, shipments can tend to crowd out capacity to sample other wines. Like picking restaurants, do I try something new or stick to old favorites?
A boutique club is a good way to relive experiences and enjoy limited production wines. If the budget permits, try more than one. Don't be afraid to rotate your choices, you don't have to sign up for life. But consider the excitement of being at the winery a bit before committing, assessing just how you'll benefit from all that is offered and understanding your obligations.
In future Minutes 00:60, we'll cover other types of wine club memberships including ones sponsored by wine shops or media companies.
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