American Cellars Wine Club is
the
fastest growing wine club in America.
 Why? The short answer is, "Because we make interesting wines
accessible. We do all the work for you. We choose wines we guarantee
you will like, and we deliver them right to your home or office. We tell
you
each wine's story, and we even tell you the very best food recipes to
pair with it."
But I've learned, after 10 years in this business,
that you probably want to know more than that before you sign on, even
though we give you a risk-free,
money back, I-guarantee-you'll-like-us promise.
So
here's the long answer:
Back in 1993, I decided there was an opportunity
to share something that I loved (wine) with a wider audience, and to
do my part
to bring little-known wines into the hands of those who appreciate "boutique" wines.
Many of these wines were hand-crafted gems produced by little known
or small wineries. Or they were very limited production wines the major
buyers wouldn't touch because there simply wasn't a large enough supply.
But they were all compelling wines, and ones the average wine lover
wouldn't find anywhere else unless they happened on the winery or were
a close personal friend of the wine maker.
So a couple of friends and I started out with a simple
ad in a magazine. When the postman delivered the responses in plastic
tubs, we realized
our hunch was right. We rented an office, called in favors from some
wine-industry friends, and� we were in business. The rest, as they
say, is history.
Today we are one of the largest and most respected
wine clubs in the country. But we haven't forgotten our first promise
- to introduce our friends (a
bit chummy, I know, but here at American Cellars Wine Club when you
are a member, you are a friend) to special wines.
Here's how it works:
When you say "yes" to membership in ACWC,
we're going to ask you a few questions. Do you want us to send you two
bottles or four?
(Personally, I could NEVER make two bottles last a month until the next
shipment arrives, but you decide). Do you want us to send red wines
only? White wines only? Or a mix? Is this for yourself, or a gift for
a friend?
 We'll
ask what state you live in, because believe it or not, there are still
some states that believe you can't drink what you like, and therefore
we can't share our wine finds with just anyone. We'll ask for your shipping
address (keep in mind, you'll need to sign for your shipments), your payment
preference (we take just about every form of payment except stamps), and
your phone number. And did I mention
your email address? We never share it, but we do like to keep you posted
on member news, special privileges we negotiate for you and extraordinary
wine finds.
Then you just sit back and get ready for some fun. Not only
will we send you wine, but I'll give you a bonus gift with your
first shipment: my favorite must-have wine accessory - a picnic tote
with room for one or two bottles, a bottle stopper, a cork screw, two
glasses and napkins. If you decide later that membership isn't
for you, please keep the bonus gift with my compliments. I often see this
tote in finer lifestyle catalogs for $30 or more, but I'll give it to
you as a bonus with purchase just for trying us out.
Every shipment you'll receive includes our Grapevine newsletter.
It's full of recipes that pair wonderfully with the wines, information
on the wines themselves, wine country touring tips, hints on how to enjoy
your wine to the fullest, and more.
You'll also have the option to sign on as a voluntary
wine judge. We send members wine at random (at no cost, of course) to
test
and report on. We use your opinion to award special recognition to wines
worthy of "Gold Medal" status. Despite wineries hounding me for the honor,
there's no way to get a coveted "American Cellars Gold Medal" award except
to earn it from our members.
As a member, you're entitled to
special discounts on extra wine, reorders of your particular favorites,
and the occasional exclusive deals we arrange for our members with partners,
like wine racks or invitation-only tasting events. We'll let you know
by mail or email whenever these extra offers come up, and you can decide
if
you want to take us up on these goodies.
So what
does membership in ACWC give you?
- An adventure in wine without any of the risk
- Two or four bottles of hand-picked wine in each shipment
- The Grapevine Newsletter
- Member discounts on re-orders and special offers
- Fun stuff, like regular giveaways and contests
- An opportunity to test and report on wines as a member of our Gold
Medal Award Panel
That brings me back to my first promise - my personal
guarantee you'll enjoy your membership. I don't make that commitment
lightly. If you don't like a particular wine, tell us. We'll make it
right.
If you want more of a wine you found outstanding, call us. We'll find
you more.
If you want to know what wine to serve with a special dinner, we've
probably got a list of 5 or 10 favorites to recommend.
All of this makes American Cellars Wine Club a
good Club to belong to. Give us a try. I know you'll love it.
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