How to Start a Wine Club with Your Friends and Build your Wine Collection at the Same Time
Wine should be fun, easy, and something you share. That’s the whole philosophy behind this wine club setup—it’s simple, works for couples or singles, and doesn’t require a set number of people. Three or more can do it, but six to ten is the sweet spot. It’s social, educational, and best of all, you get to build a killer wine collection while having a great time.
How It Works
Each month, the group gets together for a tasting. The format is flexible:
You can pre-set themes for each month (See the full example calendar at the end of the blog).
The group can vote on the next theme at the end of each tasting.
Or, if you prefer, just wing it and decide on the fly.
The idea is to make it low-pressure but high-fun. Some groups might love having structured themes like "New World vs. Old World," "Wines Under $25 That Taste Expensive," or "Exploring Italian Reds." Others might just let the host decide the theme and surprise everyone.
Choosing Your Tasting Themes
Themes add a layer of excitement and education. Some ideas to kick things off:
Regional Focus: Try wines from a single country or even a specific region (e.g., "California Zinfandels" or "Alsatian Whites").
Grape Variety: Pick a single grape (like Pinot Noir) and try examples from different regions to compare styles.
Price-Based: Find the best bottle under $20, $50, or even splurge night.
Food Pairing: Pick a wine and pair it with a dish. This could be homemade or even a curated takeout challenge.
Blind Tasting: Wrap the bottles and guess which is which based on flavor and aroma.
The options are endless, and over time, your group will figure out what excites everyone the most.
Host a practice-tasting and have your group over to discuss tasting themes for each event.
Rotating Hosts & Their Responsibilities
Each month, a different person is the tasting host. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have to open their home—someone else can physically host while the assigned person leads the tasting.
The tasting host for the month has a few simple but fun responsibilities:
Provide some basic facts and history on the theme (don’t worry, we’ll give you a template for what to research!). This can be super informal, or if you’re the type to go all out, feel free to bring a PowerPoint and really flex your wine nerd muscles.
Offer a snack—this can be anything from homemade appetizers to takeout, chips, or a fancy cheese board. Whatever works! (We’ll throw in some pairing suggestions later.)
Guide the tasting—this doesn’t mean being a sommelier, just setting a loose structure. Maybe start by discussing aromas, tasting the wines, and sharing thoughts.
Facilitate the vote on next month’s theme (if your group decides themes that way).
The Wine Contribution System
Now here’s where it gets really cool. Each person (including the host) brings two bottles of one wine that fits the theme.
One bottle is for tasting.
The second bottle is for the host to keep.
This means that every time you host, you walk away with a mini wine haul for your collection.
Example: In a group of 12, the host ends up with a full case of wine—all for the cost of simply having some friends over, pouring some wine, and googling a few fun facts. Not a bad deal, right?
Why It’s Genius
Low commitment, high reward – $30 - $50 a month (assuming $15-$25 price point per bottle) gets you an awesome night with friends and access to a range of wines you might never have tried otherwise. Plus you only have to commit to one night a month.
You build a wine collection without breaking the bank. Every time you host, your cellar gets a nice top-up.
It’s easy! No stress, no snobbery—just good wine, good people, and a little learning along the way.
Flexible and customizable. If your group prefers high-end bottles, just adjust the price floor. Want to do occasional deep dives on specific wineries? Go for it. This format works however you want it to.
It keeps your social calendar interesting. Regular meetups, structured fun, and the excuse to drink great wine? What’s not to love?
Example 12-Month Tasting Calendars
Need help getting started? Here are two simple, flexible tasting calendars you can use as inspiration for your wine club. Feel free to adjust or mix and match!
Month 1 – Your Favourite Wine
Month 2 – Old World vs. New World Reds
Month 3 – Chardonnay of the World
Month 4 – Wine Regions of France
Month 5 – Premium Wine Night ($30 minimum per bottle)
Month 6 – Orange & Natural Wines
Month 7 – Wine & Snack Pairing Challenge
Month 8 – Cabernet Showdown: California vs. Chile vs. Bordeaux
Month 9 – Canadian Wine Night (Support Local!)
Month 10 – Wine Regions of Italy
Month 11 – ABC - Anything (white) But Chardonnay
Month 12 – Your NEW Favourite Wine
These themes are a great way to explore the world of wine one bottle at a time, while keeping things fun, diverse, and educational.
Extra Tips for a Successful Wine Club
1. Set Some Basic Ground Rules
Having a few guidelines upfront can make the club run smoothly:
Remember the “don’t be a wine-snob (or a jerk)” rule.
Decide on a price range per bottle (e.g., $15 minimum, or $30+ for premium nights).
Make sure everyone is committed to showing up or at least giving notice if they can’t attend.
Consider how to handle no-shows. Does their assigned host still get their second bottle if they cancel last minute?
2. Keep Track of What You Taste
You don’t need fancy tasting journals (unless you want to be that group!), but a shared Google Doc or a casual group chat with quick notes and photos will help you remember what you loved (or didn’t). Check out our digital downloads section for free wine club ideas, themes, templates, and more.
3. Consider a Special Occasion Night
Every so often, throw in a splurge night where everyone brings something extra special. This could be for a holiday, a birthday, or just because you’re all feeling fancy.
4. Experiment with Blind Tastings
Every once in a while, cover the bottles and have everyone guess things like the grape, region, or price point. It’s a great way to challenge preconceptions and sharpen your tasting skills.
5. Rotate Special Responsibilities
Beyond just hosting, consider rotating roles like food pairing planner, note-taker, or wine club historian. This adds variety and gets everyone involved.
Start a wine-tasting club with your friends, and never go with an empty cellar (or social calendar) ever again.
Final Thoughts: Start Your Wine Club Now!
This setup is designed to be fun, social, and rewarding without feeling like a chore. It’s a brilliant way to learn about wine, expand your palate, and build a collection, all while sharing great times with friends.
So, what do you think? Ready to start your own wine club? Grab a few friends, set a date, and let the tastings begin. Your future wine rack will thank you.
And hey—if you’ve got questions, ideas, or you want to make your wine club extra special, reach out! You can even bring in a certified sommelier (like me) to guide your tasting, add a bit of expert flair, or help tailor a theme that really wows your group.
📩 Contact me anytime at mike@londonsomm.com or explore our private tasting packages.
Here’s to great wine and even better nights. Cheers!
