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
I found this monthly club on this site and was wondering if anyone has ever heard of or used it before. http://hopandroll.net/
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I am not familiar with it but very intrigued. I poked around their site and my best suggestion is to speak to the wine club manager and see if you can try before you buy. Cheers!
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Ahhh. I want to get a “drink the neighborhood” membership…
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I’m sure that could be arranged! Where there is a will there is a wine. xoxo
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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/
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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.🍷😘
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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. 🙂
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Being a life long Sonoman – we have “more issues than Vogue” with Napa Hahahaha – or should I say “more issues than Wine Spectator”….. But it’s a friendly competition wink wink nudge nudge!
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