Our Rating
Price 9.7 / 10
Selection 9.0 / 10
Matching 8.8 / 10
Flexibility 10 / 10
Customer Service 9.1 / 10
Tasting Notes 8.9 / 10
Overview
Firstleaf, like many wine clubs, operates on a subscription basis and uses an algorithm based on your initial questionnaire and wine ratings. You try wines over time and the system refines its predictions of your preferences to create a personalized wine list for the next shipment.
Firstleaf often ranks highly in comparison to its major competitors and has appeared in many online media outlets such as Medium, BuzzFeed, and Business Insider, to name a few. The site boasts over 1,400 award-winning vintages and nearly 70 gold and platinum wines.
We'll take an in-depth look at the brand and its products to help you determine if this club might meet your needs for tasting wine.
At a Glance
| Price Range | $39.95 for the first six bottles, then $90 a case or $15 a bottle |
|---|---|
| Ideal For | Wine enthusiasts and value-seekers looking for affordable good wine |
| Delivery Frequency | Every one to three months. The first shipment arrives one month after you select your wines. |
| Bottles Per Shipment | 6 |
Review Highlights
Customer reviews of Firstleaf vary. The company has an overall TrustPilot rating of 2.3, with just 27% of customers rating the wine tasting club Excellent or Good. On Consumer Advocate, a popular rating site, the company received 4.9 out of 5 stars due to its solid wine selection and satisfaction rating among long-term users. However, newcomers seem to drop off due to bottle breakage, misunderstandings over membership terms, and other reasons.
Pricing
Firstleaf charges $15 a bottle after the first (discounted) month and members are locked into buying six bottles per shipment. Customers can change the frequency to between one and three months.
In comparison, Winc offers a better deal at four bottles for $24.95. However, Winc sends bottles monthly with no frequency adjustment available.
Naked Wines has an introductory offer of $39.99 for six bottles. After that, you deposit a set amount of money (up to $100) in your account each month to purchase discounted wine. You can skip months if needed.
Wine Insiders has an attractive introductory price of $89.95 for 15 bottles and free shipping. Then, every 12 weeks, you get 12 bottles for $159.99 (includes $19.95 shipping).
Bright Cellars provides a 50% off introductory offer. You sign up for four to seven bottles in monthly shipments and the subscription ranges from $88 to $118 per month plus shipping, respectively.
Wine Access The Wine Access Wine Club costs$150 for 6 bottles per quarterly shipment.
Brand Reputation
Although it has its share of detractors like most businesses, Firstleaf ranks highly when compared to other wine clubs. it's a solid contender for beginners but suits wine aficionados even better. Members have a huge say and the kinds of wines they receive, which distinguishes Firstleaf from many of its competitors. Additionally, the ability to adjust the frequency of shipments to suit the member's needs is an outstanding feature of this wine tasting club.
Shipping
No expedited options are available, but shipping is included in the cost of $90 per box. Although Firstleaf offers a 100% guarantee and sends a refund for any returned wines, you pay to ship the bottles back.
Customer Service
The customer service hours are rather limited, compared to clubs with 24/7 access to customer service. If you are on the west coast and want to call after work, the customer service hours of 9 am-8 pm ET may prove inconvenient. However, customer service is available seven days a week.
Although reviews indicate that Firstleaf responds quickly to negative online reviews, some dissatisfied members complained about a lack of response to their complaints.
Why Choose Firstleaf?
Firstleaf offers access to wine experts, which many other wine tasting clubs do not have. Wines from around the world show up on your doorstep with minimal effort on your part. Those interested in tasting wine within their taste preferences will find the wine-matching algorithm rewarding. If you want to branch out your selection, however, you'll have to vary your wine ratings accordingly. You can also call customer service for advice on how to redirect future selections made for you by the system.
Members save up to 60% on great wines. That results in a huge savings of time and money for those who love to try new wines below the retail price. Firstleaf offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like the wine, send it back to the company for a full refund. You just pay the cost of shipping for the returned wine.
The club is ideal for wine enthusiasts looking to expand their wine tasting range at an affordable price. If you love white or rosé wines, Firstleaf offers a plethora of choices within your taste range.
Beginners looking to define their wine taste can also benefit from the algorithm which gradually narrows down the wine selection to match the member's ratings.
Final Thoughts
Firstleaf offers a unique model that gives members flexibility in how often they will receive their shipments. The innovative algorithm caters to each member's tastes, but the price of membership may be a bit steep for some, in which case they should consider clubs that offer smaller shipments. Overall, though, it's a solid option if you're looking for a top quality wine club.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Easy to get started - simply fill out a questionnaire
Tailored to your unique taste profile via an algorithm
1,400 award-winning wines
Adjustable frequency. Six bottles shipped every 1, 2, or 3 months
Guidance from the Wine Concierge team is available
Cons
The second case is automatically shipped when you sign up for the introductory offer
The rating system may be a bitover-simplified, according to some member feedback
