Do you love quality wine and exploring the diverse world of wine? You yearn for discoveries and tasting wines from notable wineries at the comfort of your home.
Unfortunately, most exquisite wines are not available from normal retail channels. Talk of the expensive and challenging process involved in sourcing these wines by yourself from notable wine regions globally.
Wine Clubs might just be what you need. WSJ Wine Club is one of the notorious wine clubs. It provides a chance to try the most sophisticated wines from the whole world at the comfort of your home. And not to mention the personalized process that offers wines tailored to your palate. That’s right!
But, just how legit is WSJ Wine Club?
In this WSJ Wine Club review, we look at its background, membership benefits, the buying process, wine brands among other important factors you would want to consider before signing up.
Our Rating For WSJ Wine Club:
- Quality of wine: 4.2
- Satisfaction guarantee: 4.5
- Customer service: 3.8
- Discounts: 4.2
What is the WSJ Wine Club?
The Wall Street Journal is relied upon by most people for informed and extensive news coverage and market insights. However, the publication sort to change how people buy wine and started the WSJ wine club in 2008. It was the first wine club to offer bulk subscriptions for quality international wines.
The Wall Street Journal is a renowned, trusted financial publication that collaborates with high-quality retailers for the wine club. Of course, to uphold their reputation.
It offers a 12-case wine subscription at an affordable price, delivered to your doorstep every three months.
The wine club features varietals from elite wine-growing areas globally while prioritizing quality and affordability. Quite impressive!
WSJ wine club is notable and outshines the rest due to its introductory offer of 12 bottles of wine and a bonus gift at $69.99. That’s roughly $5 a bottle. Great deal, right?
However, that is not the regular price but an attractive offer to lure customers.
How Does WSJ Wine Club Work?
The subscription and ordering process is simple to follow. You can tour the wine selection through their store link. This includes country of origin, full retail price, pairing tips, and special offers.
You start by choosing the type of box you want then proceed to create an account. Add your preferred wines to the cart. You can decide to change your initial selection to a tailored package that arouses your taste buds; add and change wines. Then preview your wine choices and check out.
The WSJ wine club introductory offer is affordable but not personalized. You just get to choose whites, reds, or a mixed selection. Once you receive and taste the wines, The wine club then requires you to rank the wines you got through your profile. This helps to prepare your next delivery with your preferred wine preference.
Quite easy!
Delivery takes about 1 to 2 weeks, and shipping usually costs $19.90 per box. You can now wait for WSJ to get the wine to your doorstep. But if you are rarely home, we recommend that you should have the box sent to a verified UPS access point or a to business since a wine delivery legally requires to be signed by a 21+ individual.
About the WSJ Wines
WSJ Wine Club offers a wide variety of domestic and international wines.
Members enjoy the privilege of trying wines from smaller boutique estates that you won’t find at the store and some international brands that have received award global recognition, including sauvignons of the year and reds of the year. You will find wines that are not offered by anyone else and those available elsewhere, do not come at these prices.
WSJ wines tend to have a recurrent selection of regions and varietals that appeal more to American wine lovers.
Their red wines incline to be medium-bodied while the whites are either very bright (acidic), plain or tasting alcohol. These wines are food-friendly.
Besides, each box comes with free tasting notes to provide all the information and some background of the wine you are taking.
There is a catalog to help you select from wine type, mixed collections, region, and country. Members are allowed to choose between red, white, a mix of whites and reds, fine, rose, sparkling, dessert and champagne, depending on their preference.
Also, you can go for special offers like mix and match wines, wines on sale, industry-leading and award-winning wines.
When looking for WSJ wines, go for winegrowers and regions rather than brands. There is something about award-winning choices that make them stand out.
You can change your preferences anytime.
Note: Wall Street Journal’s popular wine critic Lettie Teague does not choose the wines delivered via WSJwine.
We tried the WSJ wines, and these three wines were our favorites in our introductory offer WSJ case!
- Aluado Alicante Bouschet 2015
Every wine enthusiast would recommend this Portuguese wine! It was graceful with notes of blackberries, sweet ripe tannins, and plums.
- J Opi Malbec 2018
Awarded the best Malbec of Argentina, this delight medium-bodied red will win you over; it is intense and full-flavored with smooth tannins. Best enjoyed with beef casserole, pasta, or roast beef. Great on its own too!
- Bees Knees Chenin Blanc Viognier 2018
This South African white is quite a classic with ripe and racy lemony notes and a tropical fruit finish. It is made by the artistic Gabb family-they are behind the exotic South African wines.
Membership Benefits
WSJ wine club members get to enjoy rare and top ranking varietals at affordable prices. And not to mention, no membership and cancellation fees.
However, these are not the only membership benefits offered by the Wall Street Journal wine club. Here are some more:
- Offers a great introductory offer
- Access to members-only deals at their wine store
- Convenient-you can easily manage your account online, including identifying which wines go to your case, vacation holds, delaying a case for a few weeks, or canceling at any time
- Allows customized selections
- Wines come with tasting notes that provide accurate information and the story behind every wine
- Enjoy 12 high-quality wines shipped to your home every 3 months
- 20 % savings on all future cases after the first discovery box
- Confirmation email after making your order
- 2 weeks advance notice of next case delivery before shipping
- VIP offers and rewards for club members, including early access to some deals, luxury bottles, credits, and magnums
- Allows members to skip deliveries for up to 4 weeks.
Subscription Club offers and Pricing
Members are allowed to choose between the Discovery club and Premier club.
Introductory offer
The introductory offer is available for new customers when they join the WSJ wine club. It comes with 12 bottles plus 2 free wine bottles and a pair of wine glasses as a bonus.
- Top 12 reds/whites/mix +2 bottles plus 2 glasses: $69.99
Discovery Club
This is best suited for wine enthusiasts who want to discover wine classics. You can opt for whites, reds, or a mixed selection. These wines mainly include award-winning wines and those that have been ranked as members’ favorites.
You get 13 (12+1) types of wines in your first discovery club shipment. This will help craft your next wine shipment from your preferences.
Discovery club introductory offer wines:
| Wine | Reds | Whites | Mixed |
| No. 1 Aussie Blockbuster | 1 | ||
| 91-Point Malbec Favorite | 1 | 1 | |
| 98-Point Italian Blockbuster | 1 | 1 | |
| Outstanding Cab from Napa Icon | 1 | 1 | |
| Top-Vintage California Pinot | 1 | ||
| Historic Family’s Juicy Rioja | 1 | ||
| Tuscan Maestro’s Beloved Chianti | 1 | 1 | |
| Chateauneuf Star’s Special Exclusive | 1 | ||
| Double-Gold 2019 Bordeaux | 1 | ||
| Old-Vine Lodi Zinfandel | 1 | 1 | |
| Gold-Medal Portuguese Star | 1 | 1 | |
| ‘Crazy’ Good, 3-Time Gold Medalist | 1 | ||
| Top-Estate Chenin Blanc | 1 | ||
| Top-Estate Chenin Blanc | 1 | ||
| Beautiful New Zealand Sauvignon | 1 | ||
| 93-Point Italian Sauvignon Blanc | 1 | ||
| Classic Italian Pinot Grigio | 1 | 1 | |
| Ultra-Fresh Falanghina | 1 | ||
| Best-Selling ‘Super Venetian’ White | 1 | ||
| ‘Best Producer’ California Chardonnay | 1 | 1 | |
| Exclusive California Cabernet | 1 | 1 | |
| 90-Point Portuguese White | 1 | ||
| Cool Argentine White | 1 | ||
| Rare White Bordeaux | 1 | ||
| Gold-Medal Prosecco Favorite | 1 | 1 | |
| Ultra-Fresh Washington Sauvignon | 1 | ||
| Vibrant Spanish White | 1 | ||
| 98-Point Tuscan Rarity | 3 | 3 | 3 |
You will receive your package every 3 months.
How much does it cost?
- 12 bottles reds/whites/mixed + 2 free bottles:$159.99
Premier Club
This optional offer gives you access to the world’s most popular wines, including those from Rioja, Napa, Piedmont, Bordeaux, and Tuscany, among other elite wine growers. It includes handpicked and elegant wines.
You get 9 (8+1) types of wines for the Premier club.
Premier club introductory offer wines:
| Wine | Reds | Whites | Mixed |
| 92-Point Rhone Blockbuster | 1 | ||
| Top-Estate Sonoma Red | 2 | 2 | |
| Private Reserve Portuguese Discovery | 2 | ||
| 98-Point Super Tuscan | 2 | ||
| Gold-Medal 2015 Bordeaux Superieur | 2 | ||
| Top-Estate Rioja Reserva | 1 | 2 | |
| 93-Point Brunello Blockbuster | 1 | 1 | |
| Top-Estate California Pinot Noir | 1 | 1 | |
| Gold-Medal Marlborough Sauvignon | 2 | 2 | |
| 90-Point Gavi di Gavi | 2 | 1 | |
| Preminum Napa Cabernet Sauvignon | 1 | ||
| Barrel-Aged California Chardonnay | 1 | ||
| Star-Vintage White Burgundy | 1 | 1 | |
| Top-Estate, Old-Vine Chablis | 1 | ||
| 90-Point, Trophy-Winning Savignon | 1 | ||
| Exciting Tuscan White Rarity | 2 | 2 | |
| Top-Vintage White Bordeaux Rarity | 2 | ||
| Preminum Napa Cabernet Sauvignon(free) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
How much does it cost?
- 12 bottles reds/whites/mixed + 3 free bottles :$259.99 every 3 months
Money-Back Guarantee and Cancellation
The WSJ wine club writes:
We want you to enjoy every bottle you buy from us. If you are not completely satisfied with any wine, for any reason, just let us know, and you will be refunded in full.
This wine club promises a 100% money-back guarantee if you do not enjoy the wine.
Besides, becoming a member of the WSJ wine club does not require a membership fee nor a cancellation fee. If you need to cancel an order, just give them a call during working hours or email them before your next shipment. They respond within 24 hours.
In addition, you can opt to write them a letter, although this may take longer.
Shipping and Delivery
Shipping attracts a flat charge of $19.99 for your first case, up to 15 bottles, and $14.99 for additional cases purchased within the same order.
Nevertheless, delivery is free for all advantage members on all orders of 12 or more bottles and wine accessories.
WSJ delivers between 5 and 18 days depending on your location. Shipments are made via FedEx.
Is WSJ Wine Club Right For You?
WSJ Wine Club Real Customer Reviews
Overall, WSJ wine club’s customers have amazing things to say about it. They are overwhelmed with the quality and price of the wines.
However, some were dissatisfied with the customer service.
Here is what some users had to say.
“I have used them for the past 5 years, they have a great selection and offer some nice specials, and their customer service is great. If you receive a wine that is just not great to your palate, they will happily accommodate a change. Also, if you purchase with their wine futures program, you can get some top wines at a fair price. I do recommend buying into their free shipping for 1 year if you plan on ordering more than the quarterly deliveries. Cheers!!”
“The first box was fine, but don’t be fooled. The second box was full of problems: extra charges, only 8 different types instead of 12 due to duplicates, and issues with the shipping. Customer service is the worst I have ever seen. Emails take days to go through with no answers in return. Calls are even worse. You are on hold for hours, and then the call is disconnected. STAY AWAY!!”
Who Should Join WSJ Wine Club?
WSJ wine club offers high-quality wines at competitive prices. Therefore, if you are looking to enjoy exotic international and domestic wines at home, the WSJ wine club is a good option.
Also, if you are a regular wine drinker who wants to access limited releases and spice up your wine collection, WSJ wine will help you get out of a wine rut and discover lesser-known bottles that you can’t find anywhere else.
Who Should Not Join WSJ Wine Club?
However, orders are only delivered quarterly, and you may not have something for every month. Therefore, if you are looking to receive wines every month this is not for you.
Summary of WSJ Wine Club
Pros:
- Attractive and affordable introductory offer
- Delivers top quality, award-winning international wines
- 100% money-back guarantee
- VIP offers for club members
- Flexible membership-vacation holds, edit selections and cancel at anytime
- Upgrades and rewards for club members
- Advance notice to allow users to edit order
Cons:
- Shipping price is not included in the introductory offer
- No monthly wine subscription
- Does not offer free shipping
- Many complaints about their customer service online
Alternatives to the WSJ Wine Club
WSJ wine club is known for its affordability and quality wines. However, it falls short in certain areas. It does not offer monthly shipments, free shipping, and organic wines.
Here are some of the top alternatives of the WSJ wine club:
Plonk Wine Club
If you are looking for eco-conscious wines: organic and biodynamic boutique wines, Plonk Wine Club is a good WSJ wine club alternative.
Just like the WSJ wine club, it features award-winning and high-quality wines and you are allowed to order 4 bottles every month or 4 bottles per month in advance –quarterly, twice a year, or once a year.
Besides, members receive a free copy of Imbibe magazine to learn more about the world of wine. Shipping is free, and members receive up to a 25% discount when reordering wine.
Winc Wine Club
If you are looking to receive free shipping and fewer bottles each month, we recommend Winc Wine Club.
It brings you Californian wines at more affordable and reliable prices. Winc delivers 4 bottles of wine every month as part of their subscription plan and offers free shipping as long as you use at least $50 worth of wine.
Besides, it allows members to order more separately or as an addition to your subscription; when you order 12 or more bottles, you get a 10% discount.
In addition, it allows members to skip as many months as they wish, unlike the WSJ wine club that allows 1 month.
WSJ Wine Club FAQ
Is WSJ wine easy to cancel?
Yes, all you need is a single click from the settings tab to cancel and pause membership plans in your WSJ wine club account.
Is WSJ a good wine club gift?
Yes, you need to provide the contact and shipping details of the recipient when ordering. Thereafter, check yes under the gift options.
How Do I send my wine back?
If you are not happy with the wines, contact customer service through their email.