In a Nutshell
pros
- Six different pricing levels to choose from
- Only family-owned wineries
- More than 150 wineries to choose from
cons
- Pricing can be higher than competitors
- Someone 21 or older must be present to accept delivery
- Shipping not included, and there is no set shipping cost
Gold Medal Wine Club at a Glance
Wine Types and Quality
Gold medal wine club includes a wide-range of wines from merlot to pinot to chardonnay to champagne. The wines are all from small-production and family-owned vineyards, including a large number of award-winning selections. Most of the wines come from California but the company also features a large number of wines from across the world, in particular if you sign up for the “International” plan.
Membership Options
Gold Medal Wine Club offers 6 different membership plans, and there is no minimum obligation. You can pre-order a set number of monthly shipments, or set up a membership that automatically renews every month until you cancel.
The 6 options range from the entry-level “Gold” program, which features boutique California wines, to the “Diamond” plan, which ships what the company refers to as “93+ rated, luxury-premium, top-tier wines.”
In addition, the company offers the “Plus!” program that will add 1 bottle onto a scheduled delivery at any time during the year. The offer is for times when the company acquires a new, unique wine that it would like to highlight.
Pricing
The price you pay with Gold Medal Wine Club depends on which plan you signed up for, as well as which wines you selected within that plan, and how many bottles. Shipping isn’t included, and can vary widely depending on where you live and how many bottles you’re sending.
Featured Wines
1. Owl Ridge 2017 ‘Tyto’ red blend
From the Sonoma County region of California, this red wine blend is part of a limited batch of 475 cases. The wine is named for the Tyto barn owl species, which is well-known for pest control on vineyards. It’s a well-balanced wine with notes of cassis and cherry, with a soft and round texture.
Cost per bottle: $21
Goes great with: A strip steak with mashed potatoes, pasta with marinara sauce, watching an owl tear into a field mouse at dusk.
2. Moone Tsai 2014 Chardonnay
Fruity hints of peach and apricot swirl through this rich and buttery white that from the Sonoma coast. Only 247 casks were made and every bottle comes with this pretty cool picture of a golden lion—the protector of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine—which is coiled and ready to pounce (on a bottle of wine?).
Cost per bottle: $65
Goes great with: Pan-seared halibut with endive and asparagus, pasta with zesty shrimp, celebrating a sunny day, or any day really.
3. Bryter 2013: Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a luxurious Cabernet Sauvignon that is perfectly suited to the “Diamond” wine club. It’s a dark, full-bodied red from a small Napa Valley release of only 180 cases, and definitely worth writing home about.
Cost per bottle:$109
Goes great with: Perfectly-seared filet mignon, spicy peppers and sausage, a special occasion with friends.
Giving the Gift of Wine
You have a wide range of gifting options with Gold Medal Wine Club, which are by no means limited to just wine. You can buy a wide range of gift baskets (they’re actually boxes, but you get the idea), such as the “Valentine’s Day Rose Special,” which costs $135 and includes a box of 8 artisan truffles and 6 bottles of rosé—shipping is included, but you’re on your own for flowers.
Another fun—and still romantic—option is the “The Baja California Adventure,” which costs $112.95 and comes with 2 bottles of red wine, one white, and “The Taste of Mexico Adventure Package.” The adventure package comes with a jar of extra virgin avocado oil, sesame honey bites, multiflora blossom honey, mole negro paste, mole pipian, and oaxaca chocolate.
Customer Service
For customer service you can send an online query or contact the company by phone, fax, or email. Your easiest option though may be the live chat Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Pacific Standard Time.
Bottom Line
Gold Medal Wine Club sets itself apart from its wine club rivals by offering a wider variety of membership options and wines than just about anybody out there. And while the price point can be high and there isn’t a set shipping price,you still should be able to find a setup that suits your tastes. Also, the company has a truly impressive set of gift options for the wine lover in your life (which can be you, nothing wrong with ordering a gift for yourself).
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