The Best Wine Clubs To Sign Up For Slideshow

Package: Club W Monthly Experience

Price: The package starts at 3 bottles a month for $39 plus $6 flat rate shipping; also available to purchase by the bottle if a member ($13 a bottle, $19 for curators choice)

Features: What makes Club W unique is that each wine package is tailored to your specific tastes; after completing a survey upon registration, Club W's curator team of sommeliers pick the wines in your package according to your tastes. With that, Club W strives to make learning about wine fun, "not overbearing or pretentious." From the website: "We produce a short video for every wine featuring one of our curators that includes tasting notes and other background information such as the producer's story, an explanation of the growing region or a primer on the varietal. A QR code on every bottle that we ship will take you directly to the video. It's an easy, un-obtrusive way to learn about the wine you're about to enjoy, if you're so inclined."

Who chooses the wines?: Club W's Curator team of sommeliers; additionally, Club W developed its own line of wines based on the tastes of its members, called the Palate Profile.

Will not ship to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington

Package: Explorations Wine Club

Price: $40 per shipment

Features: 2 bottles of wine, 1 red and 1 white; the package includes monthly newsletter detailing featured wines, wineries and winemakers. 

Package: Special Selections Wine Club

Price: $95 per shipment

Features: 2 Bottles of red wine  thatlimited production and from high demand boutique wines; includes the monthly newsletter

Package: Reserve Selections Wine Club

Price: $195 per shipment

Features: 2 Bottles of limited production, high-demand boutique wines; the package also includes the monthly newsletter. 

Who picks the wines?: Founders Matt Krause & Mark Aselstine are two brothers-in-laws who founded the club after a trip to South America where they discussed their passion for food and wine, as well as their desire for something different in a wine club. The business is an entirely family-run business.

Will not ship to: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia. 

Package: Gold Series

Price: $35.00 per month for 2 bottles, $63 per month for 4 bottles

Features: Gold Medal Wine Club's most popular series, its selections come from California's best small family-owned and operated wineries. Includes the in-house publication, The Wine Press.

Package: Pinot Noir Series

Price: $65 to $85 per shipment for 2 bottles

Features: Every other month, the series ships two different bottles of limited production Pinot Noirs from wineries across the world.

Package: Platinum Series

Price: $79 to $99 permonth for 2 bottles

Features: The upper-level series features rare, collectable wines from California's top winemakers. These premium wine of the month selections are highly allocated with 90+ ratings, including some pre-releases and exclusives made available only to members. Also includes the in-house publication, The Wine Press, and a personal note from the winery's owner or winemaker.

Package: International Series

Price: $65 to $85 per shipment for 3 bottles

Features:  Each quarterly shipment  "takes you on an incredible tasting journey around the globe to discover ultra-premium wines from some of the great, hidden wine country estates," according to the website. Three specially selected wines (two different reds and one white) are included in every shipment.

Package: Diamond Series

Price: $159 to $189 per shipment for 2 bottles

Features: This package includes 93+ rated, legendary wines in this exclusive, top-of-the-line club. Each quarterly shipment features "two memorable selections along with their impeccable credentials." How exclusive is it? It's limited to 500 members, "a fortunate few have the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate wine tasting experience."

Who chooses the wines?: Sommeliers, chosen from wine awards

Will not ship to: Won't say specifically what states the club will or will not ship to; instead, the website states: "We make no representation as to the legal rights of anyone to ship or import wines into any State outside of California."

Package: International Explorer Wine Club

Price: $49.99 per month for 2 bottles

Features: Shipments include a range of wines from international wineries, with a focus on variety, independent producers, and "high-quality, expressive wines.

Package: Italian Wine Club

Price: $54.99 per month for 2 bottles

Features: Your two bottles may include, according to the website: Aglianico, Erbaluce, Ruché. Get a thoroughly tasty overview of Italian wine.

Package: World Passport Wine Club

Price: $99.99 per month for 2 bottles

Features: Your two bottles per month may include, according to the website: Alsatian Pinot Noir, Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, and Oregon Chardonnay. The package has a good range of New World and Old World wines.

Package: Grand Cru Wine Club

Price: $254.99 per month

Features: Your two bottles per month may include: Bordeaux, Burgundy, California Cabernet Sauvignon. For experienced wine connoisseurs, these selected wines are the most expensive wines you can get from Astor Wine Club. 

Who chooses the wines?: A team of sommeliers 

Will not ship to: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia

Packages: Mixed, Red, White

Price: $69.99 per month for 4 bottles (does not include shipping and taxes)

Details: These are known for being the most "bang for your buck," and are grown using organic and biodynamic methods, as well as terroir-driven wines that honor their specific place of origin. They are eclectic wines made from lesser-known grapes that hail from inspiring and diverse viticultural regions around the world.

Who chooses the wines?: Etty Lewensztain, food and wine expert and member of the esteemed Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the American Sommelier Association.

Will not ship to: The website doesn't say specifically which states; instead, it directs you to check state laws.

Package: 4 Seasons

Price: $69.99 package for 12 wines

Features: In this package of 12 red, white, or mixed wines, you get expertly selected wines delivered directly to your door every three months. You also get exclusive tasting notes to help you get the most from every bottle.

Who chooses the wines?: All orders are accepted and fulfilled by a New York licensed retailer, Shermer Specialties.

Does not ship to: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah

Package: Classic Series Gift Membership

Price: $34.99 per month (for a minimum of 4 months(

Features: 2 bottles of red, white, or mixed wine

Package: Vintners Series Gift Membership

Price: $44 per month (for a minimum of 4 months)

Features: 2 bottles of red or white or mixed wine from all over the world

Package: California Wine Series Gift Membership

Price: $36 per month for 4 bottles

Features: The California Wine Club Series "is a celebration of wine that is all California," including wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara.

Package: Cellar Series

Price: $65.95 every other month

Features: Every other month, the Wine of the Month ships six of its Classic Series wines, four reds and two whites. According to the website, these wines are chosen from hundreds tasted each month delivered with a 20-page newsletter discussing their origin, grape, wine making, vineyard and more.

Who chooses the wines?: Paul Kalemkiarian is the creator of the wine of the month club. He began the club after while managing a small liquor store in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., and suggesting monthly selections. Today, he personally tastes more than 400 wines a month for the club.

Will not ship to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington

Package: Times Sampler Wine Club

Price: $90 per shipment

Features: Each shipment includes 6 bottles of wine (4 red, 2 white), tasting notes and perfectly paired recipes from The New York Times.

Package: Times Reserve Wine Club

Price: $180 per shipment

Features: Each club shipment includes 6 bottles of wine (4 red, 2 white), tasting notes and perfectly paired New York Times recipes. These are wines that "truly stand out from the crowd" and go through a much more extensive process than the sampler club. These wines tend to be more expensive than the sampler club as well.

Who picks the wines?: The Times works with Global Wine Co., an expert wine company, to select all the wines for The New York Times Wine Club. The statement from Global Wine Co.: "The majority of our wines are sourced from boutique wineries from all over the world, many of which are small unknown, family-owned labels Global Wine Co.'s team travels the globe to find wines with the best quality for the best value to feature in the wine club. Unlike other clubs, we do not privately label wines. Most of these wines are not available in stores."

Will not ship to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

Package: Explorer Club

Price: $90

Features: Six wines per shipment; says the Williams-Sonoma website:"Our Explorer Club includes value-priced wines from around the world, ideal for those seeking broader familiarity with varietals and regions. The wines are ready to drink – perfect for everyday sipping and entertaining."

Package: Entertainer Club

Price: $180

Features: Six wines per shipment; says the Williams-Sonoma website: "Complex and avidly food-friendly, the wines featured in the Entertainer Club represent a diverse range of countries, regions and varietals. Great for a meal at home or a dinner party, the Entertainer is also the perfect gift for a wine-loving friend."

Package: Connoisseur Club

Price: 6 wines per $360 shipment or 3 wines per $180 shipment

Features:  From the Williams-Sonoma website: "The Connoisseur Club showcases the art of winemaking at its finest. It includes renowned wines from classic regions as well as cutting-edge stars from up-and-coming new terroirs. Suitable for cellaring and special occasions, these wines exhibit the highest levels of quality, complexity and intensity."

Who chooses the wines?: A tasting team of chefs, sommeliers and wine experts, according to Williams-Sonoma.

Will not ship to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington

Package: The Washington Post Wine Club

Price: $90 plus $19.95 in shipping

Features: Six bottles of wine (4 reds, 2 whites) sent every three months, with limited-production wines from boutique wineries around the world, detailed sommelier tasting notes, and recipe pairings from The Washington Post archives.

Package: Holiday Celebration Sampler 

Price: $180

Features: A selection of 6 wines: 4 reds, 1 bubbly and 1 white; shipped in November 2013.

Package: Explore Virginia

Price: $150

Features: Six wines from burgeoning Virginia wineries; 4 reds and 2 whites. Shipped in February 2014.

Grilling Collection

Price: $180

Features: 4 reds and 2 whites; shipped in May 2014.

Who picks the wines?: The same wine company The New York Times works with to manage its wine selections; Global Wine Co. Says Global Wine Co.: "The majority of our wines are sourced from boutique wineries from all over the world, many of which are small unknown, family-owned labels. Global Wine Company's team travels the globe to find wines with the best quality for the best value to feature in the wine club. Most of these wines are not available in stores. Unlike many other clubs, we do not privately label wines."

Will not ship to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin