WSJ Wine Review 2024: Is It A Good Investment?

If you read the Wall Street Journal, you’re probably seen ads for WSJ Wine. It has a great introductory offer and its curated 12-bottle cases are a great way for casual wine drinkers to experience new wines. But is WSJ Wine a good choice for you? 

I’ve done a deep dive into WSJ Wine. I’ve examined its prices, explored its wine selection, studied its subscription services, and considered its customer service. I did my homework so you don’t have to, giving WSJ Wine my undivided attention and weighing its strengths and weaknesses for a wine-loving crowd.

And after all my research, I can say that WSJ Wine is a good fit for those looking for a regular delivery of reasonably priced table wines. WSJ Wine doesn’t have the most adventurous menu, but there’s a lot to love for those who are looking for solid examples of fine wine. Read on to find out more!

What’s on the WSJ Wine List

WSJ Wine offers over 500 wines. You can order mixed cases or single bottles with a choice of red, white, rosé, or sparkling wines. The selection at WSJ is very large, but it focuses on familiar vintages and regions, so conservative wine lovers won’t get any unpleasant surprises.

If you’re shopping for gifts, WSJ Wine has a good gift selection, with a selection of gifts over and under $100 as well as e-gift cards. It even has some $1,000+ cases of Bordeauxs and vintage Napa Cabernets if you’re looking to impress the serious wine lover in your life.

You can choose between 3 subscriptions at WSJ Wine. The Discovery Club gives you access to domestic and international bottles at the $15/bottle price point. If you want to spend a little more, you can order the Premier Club subscription.

And if you are impressed by 1 or more of WSJ Wine’s vineyards, you can sign up for the Vineyard Partners program. You get a guaranteed annual allocation of wines from your Vineyard Partner and VIP treatment if you visit the vineyards. It’s not as extensive as the Naked Wines Angel Membership, but it is a nice touch.

You'll find a good variety of different types of wine, from reds and whites to sparkling and dessert wines. Prices range from under $10 to over $30. The majority of wines are within the $15 to $20 region, making it a good option for a range of budgets.

You can also find cases of wines in 3, 6, or 12 bottle cases. Other gifts include Champagne and rare bottles of wine like the Luxury Reds Trio. Alternatively, eGift cards are available too, so your recipient can make their own selection.

Unboxing

Each wine club delivery contains a selection of 12 customized bottles of wine. Shipments are sent every 3 months. Your first order generally contains additional bonus gifts; these can include additional bottles of wine, glasses, or other wine-related gifts.

Your wines arrive with tasting notes and information about each bottle. WSJ Wine also regularly includes extra gifts like corkscrews or other wine tools in its box, which is a nice bonus. You get suggested pairings, storage instructions, recommended serving temperature, and other data that will help you get the most out of your wines.

WSJ Wine uses standard cardboard shielding to keep your bottles safe in delivery. The padding and the boxes are both recyclable.

Shortlist of My Favorite Wines

With so many wines to choose between, picking the best of the best can be a challenge. These are some of the WSJ Wine offerings that particularly stood out for me. 

Luxury Dining Six Half Case

The Luxury Dining Six Half Case gives you 2 bottles each of high-quality red wines from around the world. You get a 94558 Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 from the Napa Valley, a Due Nipoti 2022 Merlot Blend from Tuscany, and a Château Le Vieux Duché 2020 from Bordeaux. 

These hearty reds are great with beef or game dishes. And because you get 2 of each, you can drink a bottle now and put another aside for further cellaring to let the flavors ripen further. 

L’Epiphanie de Bordeaux 2021

While France’s Bordeaux region is most famous for its reds, it also offers a fine selection of excellent whites. L’Epiphanie 2021 is a Sauvignon Blanc with a shimmering citrus and white blossom nose and notes of citrus and apricot underpinned by an oaky base. 

This white Bordeaux pairs beautifully with risottos, seafoods, or white meat and also makes a refreshing aperitif.

Prezza Prosecco Rosé 2020

This gold medal-winning Prosecco is a sparkling blast of green apple, lemon, and peach flavors with a long, dry finish and bubbles that keep on coming. It’s great chilled as a summertime pick-me-up or served with smoked salmon, prosciutto, or creamy cheeses.

You may think that you don’t like rosés, but you owe it to yourself to try Prezza. It’s got more complexity and body than typical sweet sparkling rosés. 

Prices

Shipping is $19.99 per order with no minimum order and a maximum of up to 15 bottles. With an $89 annual Advantage membership, you’ll get free shipping on every order as well as access to exclusive discounts and deals. 

The Discovery Club introductory offer is an excellent deal that even includes bonus bottles, while you get free shipping with your first Premier Club box. 

WSJ Wine accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal.

Shipping & Delivery

WSJ Wine boxes are shipped from licensed retailers in your state or region. WSJ Wine places the order, and the retailer handles the shipping issues. This means that your wine selection will vary depending on your geographic location. 

While it will cost an extra $75 surcharge, WSJ Wine ships to Alaska and Hawaii. Most wine delivery services only ship to the continental US, so this is a nice option for those in Honolulu or Fairbanks. 

WSJ Wine doesn’t have an app, but you can manage your deliveries online through your account via your computer or your smartphone. 

How WSJ Wine Works

If you want to sign up for a WSJ Wine subscription, here’s how to do it in 5 easy steps. 

How to Sign Up

1. Click the Order Now Button. Choose your subscription membership from the home page in the Memberships section, then click the Order Now button at the top right.

2. Choose the Case You Want. You can choose between a case of reds, whites, or a mix of both. 

3. Provide Your Delivery Address. You provide your email address and delivery information, and can also opt in to receiving exclusive offers or regular news from the Wall Street Journal. 

4. Provide Your Payment Information. WSJ Wine accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, and Paypal.

5. Complete Your Order. You will be receiving quarterly cases plus 2 additional seasonal cases for a total of 6 cases per year.

Managing Your Subscription

If you want to cancel your subscription or change your order, you go to your online account page and make any necessary changes. It would be nice if WSJ Wine had an app, but the website is well-organized and it’s easy to manage your subscription from there. 

Customer Service

If you need personalized recommendations and wine advice, you can call a Personal Wine Advisor at 1-888-863-7384 or email wineadvisors@wsjwine.com. 

For help with orders or any questions or comments about your subscription, you can reach the Customer Service team at 1-877-955-9463, at customerservice@wsjwine.com, or through the WSJ Wine web form. WSJ Wine’s customer support team is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 9 pm Eastern time. The office is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

Overall, I give WSJ Wine a solid B on customer service. The Personal Wine Advisor is a nice touch, and the FAQ has most of the information you’ll need if you have questions. But WSJ Wine does not have a smartphone app or a webchat, both of which I would like to see.

How WSJWine Compares to Other Wine Delivery Services

• WSJ Wine vs Firstleaf: WSJ Wine and FirstLeaf both give you a large selection of wines, but Firstleaf features a tasting quiz that helps it recommend wines that you love, as well as access to a personal Wine Concierge.

• WSJ Wine vs Naked Wines: WSJ Wine has a Vineyard Partner program that lets you sign up with 1 or more partner wineries, but Naked Wines offers an Angel Membership program that lets you invest directly in smaller vineyards.

• WSJ Wine vs Vinesse: WSJ Wine and Vinesse both have excellent discount introductory offers, but Vinesse has a better selection of boutique and lesser-known wines.

The Bottom Line: Is WSJ Wine Worth It?

WSJ Wine is definitely a solid service that has a lot to offer. With over 500 bottles to choose from, WSJ certainly gives you a good selection of the most popular regions and varietals. But its subscription services only offer a 12-bottle delivery every 3 months. And there’s a definite shortage of unusual grapes or wines from unfamiliar areas.

Those who are looking for a more adventurous selection or who don’t want to commit to 12-bottle cases might want to check out other companies on our list of the best wine delivery services. But if you’re looking for bulk wines at a reasonable price point, you may find a WSJwine subscription is well-suited to your needs.

FAQ

How do I check my WSJ Wine order status?

Once your wines arrive at a regional distribution hub, your tracking number is generated, and you receive it by email. Most WSJ Wine orders are sent via FedEx, but orders to some states may use a different courier. If there are problems with your tracking, you can contact the Customer Service Team for assistance.

What is the WSJ Wine Advantage membership?

The WSJ Wine Advantage membership gives you free shipping on every box you order. You also get a 10% discount on all orders of 12 bottles or more and monthly members-only offers. You can even get free shipping to multiple addresses, which comes in very handy when you’re sending wine gifts.

Is there a WSJ Wine subscription service?

WSJ Wine offers a Discovery Club and a more expensive Premier Club. Both clubs send you a case of wine every quarter. You can also sign up as a Vineyard Partner and receive an annual case from a vineyard of your choice.