Wine Clubbing Weekend

| Cheap Wine Curious

 

Cheers to wine clubbing! Photo by Rachel, friend of clubber @travelwinechick , and retouched usung the coolest app Snapseed.
Hello there! Do you indulge yourself with a little wine clubbing? Does membership have its privileges? Are you thrilled with your shipment or dazzled by your pick-up? These are all thoughts to consider when making the decision about joining a wine club. 
 
Before Snapseed…
  
After Snapseed….whoa! Trippy, man.
 I know how fortunate I am to have several fabulous wineries within close proximity to research (Patz & Hall, Gloria Ferrer, Buena Vista, Hamel, Cuvasion, Artessa, Gundlach Bundschu and just in my neighborhood!) and research, and research, and research. And after a little more research, it soon became a reactive, emotional decision. I didn’t dip in my toe – I immediately jumped into the vat! I joined the most fabulous, most expensive, chicest wine club I saw. It was love at first sight. The architecture, the view, the food program. All exceptional. Oh, how good was the wine? Sure, I loved the single vineyard unoaked Chard. The Pinots were “nice”and the sparkling Blanc des Blancs was a delight. The staff was well informed and lovely, the attitude of the members, variable. Sadly, wine clubs tend to magnetize entitled douche bags but if the space is grand enough, you can dodge them or be seated so they do not obstruct your view. I wish they asked your preference of douche bag or non douche bag seating (like smoking, non smoking back in the day) but sadly, don’t join a wine club if you can’t suffer a few douches.(I’m beginning to sound like a staunch proponent for out-moded feminine hygiene) I digress – but this is a serious factor to consider. Other than excellent wine, all around kindness and civility with a healthy dose of frivolity is requisite for this clubber.

 

No douches here! Except that lady behind us discussing how she shot a Lion on Safari in Africa. we had our backs to her, all good.
 
So, I fell out of love with my club. It was too far. Too expensive. High douche factor. The beauty and the wine could not hold my interest. I strayed, and I liked it. In fact, I had already joined the other club, I was a wine list adulteress. I needed to end this charade.

My official departure was an ackward long goodbye. My allotment was auto-purchased although I had already informed them I was leaving weeks before. Oopsie. After a few teidious exchanges I was reimbursed. I reassured them I did not want to suspend my membership, I wanted to cancel it. Valerie, the loveliest winery concierge ever, expressed she was sad to see me go, that I was one of her favorite members because I was so nice and “cheerful.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I read her email, how could I leave Valerie to the douchie wine-wolves! (I can’t call them snobs as most snobs I know actually are more disheveled and bookish and put their money in wine and travel not Rolexes and Teslas. Am I being a snob about snobs?) Well, I felt much better about leaving Valerie to fend for herself after seeing my allotment credited on my bill. I’m sure she says that to all her departing guests. Bon chance Valerie. 

My parting advice on joining a wine club:

1. Love the wine – really, really, really love it. It’s actually the point of joining a wine club in the first place.

2. Sniff out the douche factor, calibrate your tolerance and if you happen to be a douche, you are probably in the right place unless it’s my wine club.

3. Is the club room accessible, totally fabulous, expanse enough that reservations are easy?  Is the space comfortable for members at full capacity? You should never feel like you have been relegated to coach class and stuck in the center seat while tasting your flight. 

4. How is the view? The architecture? The hospitality? Are the parties divine? Return to point number one. These  alterior “experiences” can be an utter distraction if point number one is not undeniably true.  

 Many of you may be members of an online wine club and never visit your winery but for a handful of times, if ever. I applaud you for stocking your cellars while saving gas and lessening your carbon footprint. Furthermore, enjoying your wine sans douchebags is the ultimate luxury. 

Stay curious,

Loie 

8 thoughts on “Wine Clubbing Weekend”

  3. As usual I enjoy your posts, but sad your clubs have been so negative. I have a pretty high douche filter so ignoring that is pretty easy. Yet we really don’t have much of that in our clubs, 7 I think. True that we only are able to get to a couple of pick-up events due to geography, but most are fun. Yesterday was Forgeron in Woodenville, nice day, love the people, and some of the best vino in the world. I have pretty strict criteria on my clubs, wrote a blog even. https://beenthereeatingthis.com/2014/11/25/reflections-on-reflection-vineyards-and-wine-clubs/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I think there are less douches in WA – I lived there – loved the wine country and the more down to Earth vibe – there are plenty of great wineries here that leave the douches at the door – I hope I didn’t give you the wrong impression with my interpretation of wine club agida. It was very personal editorial and a bit tongue in cheek…kinda.🍷😘

      Like

      Reply

      1. I think I knew there was a bit of humor there. But you are spot on when it comes to the difference between Sonoma and Napa, except for Brix in Napa we avoid it and stay in Sonoma, that is why Quivera is one of our clubs, and for a long time Valley of the Moon, but never from Napa, too douchey over there. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

Talk is cheap - bon mots always welcome: