Latest news with #wineclub
Condé Nast Traveler
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Bar Bandini — Bar Review
First impression? Imagine hanging out in the living room of that friend who somehow always has the most interesting wine collection. That's the vibe. The LA space embraces the neighborhood's creative energy while maintaining focus on what's in the glass. How's the crowd? Echo Park creatives and natural wine enthusiasts create a crowd that's both curious and knowledgeable. You'll find first-time natural wine drinkers alongside sommeliers, all learning together. How are the drinks? The list changes often based on what's exciting and available, with staff who can guide you through unfamiliar territory with enthusiasm rather than pretension. These are natural wines—on tap and in bottle—with personality, served by people who promote curiosity and community. If there's food, is it worth ordering something to eat? The food options change frequently but lean towards tasty things you eat with your hands, like tacos and pizza. Did the staff do you right? The team brings genuine passion for natural wine. Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? You're here for an atmosphere with wine club vibes where everyone's invited.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Forbes
5 Best Sparkling Wine Houses In Northern California
A toast to Gloria Ferrer, one of our favorite labels in Napa Valley for bubbles. Although sparkling wine was born in Europe, wineries in California excel at producing bubbly. While bottles from Napa Valley can't be called champagne — that term is reserved for sparkling wine exclusively made in the Champagne region of France — modern California sparklers are on par with their French counterparts. There's no better place to learn about these exceptional wines than at the facility where they are made. A visit to the winery can involve a tour of the grapevines and production area and unique tasting experiences that vary depending on where you go. Luxury travelers and wine enthusiasts will find plenty to toast at these standout sparkling wine houses — don't be surprised if you end your visit with a few bottles (and maybe even a wine club membership) in hand. Bottles and bites from Domaine Carneros. If you've ever driven on Highway 12 in the Carneros region between Sonoma and Napa, you've probably noticed the stately chateau atop a hill. Many of California's sparkling wine houses were created by prominent French producers, and this gorgeous, French-inspired estate is Domaine Carneros. Claude Tattinger selected the 138-acre plot for this project in 1987. For the past 37 years, Domaine Carneros has consistently churned out superb sparklers, from its classic brut cuvée to its higher-end Blanc de Blancs known as Le Rêve. CEO Remi Cohen leads the brand today, producing more than 10 distinct sparkling wines and a handful of still reds. A tasting at Domaine Carneros requires a reservation. Be sure to allow two to three hours for the best experience — you'll want to fully immerse yourself in the glamour of this elegant sparkling wine house. There are several culinary pairings to choose from, like Peruvian bites, oysters and caviar. The generous team also surprises and delights with revisits and pours of off-menu wines. Schramsberg was the first American sparkling wine served at a White House state dinner. Back in 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies set out to create America's most prestigious sparkling wine with Schramsberg Vineyards. The couple officially achieved success in 1972, when a bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs became the first American sparkling wine served at a White House state dinner. Since then, every president has poured Schramsberg at one point or another. The charming property Schramsberg calls home is in Calistoga. The brand takes its name from its original owner, Jacob Schram, a German immigrant who purchased the land and started making wine there in the 1860s. Jack and Jamie's son, Hugh, who was coincidentally born in 1965, oversees the winemaking today. Although the team offers several tastings, we recommend booking one that includes a cave tour. Dug in 1870 by Chinese laborers, it's Napa's original hillside wine-aging cave. Schramsberg stores its bottles in the caves today, and a fact-filled tour allows you to feel the region's rich history. An interesting piece of trivia: one of the reasons Schramsberg's fizz is more decadent and luscious than other bubbles is that 25% of the juice is fermented in oak barrels. The resulting wine is complex, balanced and refined. Iron Horse produces a stable of standout sparkling wines. Iron Horse Vineyards is arguably Sonoma County's most prolific sparkling wine house. It's more rustic and enchanting than the refined grande dames of Napa, but that is part of its allure. When Audrey and Barry Sterling bought the estate in 1976, western Sonoma County was believed to be too cold to make wine. The Sterlings changed that way of thinking by pioneering the region's AVA, Green Valley, and were the first to value cooler Sonoma as a great place to produce chardonnay and pinot noir. Today, their children run the certified sustainable and regenerative winery, which overlooks a picturesque valley. Iron Horse produces several types of sparkling wine, from late-disgorged bruts to classic pink champagne. The vineyards' unfussy tastings take place standing outside around wine barrels. It's one of the few places where you can enjoy a picnic, as outside food is permitted. Reservations are required for both the casual tasting and the picnic table. You can taste the French tradition in Roederer Estate's wines. Roederer Estate is the California outpost of the esteemed French champagne house, Louis Roederer. The team is committed to producing terroir-driven bubbles that reflect the character of Mendocino's Anderson Valley. French tradition abounds: Roederer has only had two winemakers since its 1982 inception, and both were Frenchmen. Sustainability is also a focus as the brand farms 25% of the appellation's 2,500 planted vineyard acres, and all grapes are grown on the estate. Earlier this year, Roederer unveiled a new hospitality center with sweeping vineyard views. Book the sparkling wine tour, and you'll discover how the world-class pours are produced and get a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking facility. If you're hungry, small bites from Roederer Estate's kitchen include Marcona almonds, duck rillettes and local caviar. Before the Tattingers set up Domaine Carneros, the Ferrers, the family behind the legendary Spanish cava brand Freixenet, established the first sparkling wine house in Carneros with Gloria Ferrer in 1984. The winery is sustainably operated, with a commitment to green business practices, energy conservation, biodiversity and more. Pull up to the tasting room on a hill overlooking the valley below, and the beautifully landscaped olive trees transport you to Catalonia. Stunning views aside, another thing that makes Gloria Ferrer special is the fact that you don't need a reservation to pop by and grab a glass of Royal Cuvee Rose. However, reservations for a culinary experience, including brunch, are required. When it comes to food, there's a bevy of tasting options, ranging from bites to a full three-course meal. The dining also reflects Gloria Ferrer's heritage: chorizo, charcuterie and tapas like gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) from Spain.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The fuss-free way to enjoy great wine - at just £4.50 a bottle
Having a well-stocked wine rack means you're always ready to enjoy those simple pleasures, whether it's relaxing with a glass after a long week or hosting an impromptu barbecue when the sun comes out. With The Wine Club, from Laithwaites, you'll always have a fabulous selection to choose from. It's just so easy. And with this limited-time offer, you'll receive 12 sensational wines delivered to your door for just £54 – that's an unbelievable £4.50 per bottle! Don't miss out on a world of refined flavour and effortless entertaining. The Wine Club offer You can unlock great savings with Laithwaites by becoming a member of The Wine Club. Use the code TWCOFFER and you'll receive your first case of 12 wines for only £54, equating to just £4.50 per bottle. Alternatively, choose a monthly delivery of eight bottles with your introductory case priced at just £36, or a monthly four-bottle case with your first delivery costing only £24. Join the Wine Club and redeem the offer with the code TWCOFFER. Wine to your door Open your door to a curated collection of exceptional wines every month - with options to complement every occasion, from cosy nights in to al fresco events. With The Wine Club, the Laithwaites experts will hand-pick a selection of wines to send you every month. There is no delivery fee, and you'll also unlock free next-day delivery if you need to receive that delivery quicker. Best of all: you're in control, with the freedom to delay a delivery if you're still enjoying last month's wines, opt for less frequent deliveries, or cancel at any time. You can also switch between subscriptions, upgrading or downgrading to suit you. It's easy to make any of these updates via the Subscriptions section of My Account on the Laithwaites website. Not sure you like a wine on the list for your next delivery? Just let Laithwaites know and they'll switch it out for an alternative. Want to choose a specific day for delivery? You can do that too. There is even a money-back guarantee and the team can pick up your wine case if you change your mind. The Wine Club is all about making it easier to enjoy the world of wine, sampling different grapes and vintages from all around the world. Unlock the best value with the code TWCOFFER. You'll get your first case of four bottles for £24, eight bottles for £36 or 12 bottles for £54 – all with complimentary delivery. A world of discovery With wines sourced directly from the passionate hands of small and family-run vineyards across the globe, The Wine Club offers you the chance to try something a little different. Each delivery is an invitation to discover a curated collection of unique vintages, grapes you may never have encountered, and terroirs whispering tales of tradition. Indulge in a velvety Argentine malbec, its rich notes dancing on your tongue, or discover the crisp zest of a South African albariño, awakening your senses. Whether you want to try a new, bold Australian Shiraz, savour the refreshing elegance of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, or the delightful surprise of a sommelier's selection, your next beloved bottle awaits. By cutting out the middle man and going directly to the vineyards, just as they've done since 1969, the Laithwaites wine experts secure quality wines at great value, and give you the chance to try something you may not necessarily find in the shops. Beyond the bottle, your online account unveils exclusive food and wine pairing suggestions and detailed tasting notes, guiding your journey of discovery. Delve deeper into the art of winemaking, explore specialist grapes, and uncover the secrets of renowned wine regions, transforming your appreciation into expert knowledge. Let Laithwaites be your passport to an extraordinary world of wine. Wine your way The Wine Club offers a convenient and delightful way to explore the world of wine from the comfort of your home. With curated selections delivered directly to your door, at prices as low as £4.50 a bottle, you can enjoy exceptional wines without the hassle. The Wine Club is your passport to discovering new tastes and elevating everyday moments with ease. Laithwaites: The wine lovers For more than half a century, Laithwaites has journeyed directly to passionate winemakers, unearthing exceptional bottles and bringing them to the UK at irresistible prices. It all began in 1969 when Tony Laithwaite's French geology trip took a delicious detour into the captivating world of Bordeaux wines. He began bringing back authentic wines you just couldn't find in the UK without paying a small fortune. Since then, Laithwaites has continued to champion small, family-run vineyards all over the world - with more than 450 winemakers offering great wines to more than 400,000 customers. And it remains a family-run business, dedicated to offering you the thrill of discovering unique grapes and blends - always with a guarantee of outstanding quality and value. Find out more and sign up for The Wine Club at l
Forbes
10-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Build Your Dream Life With AI
How to build your dream life with AI Living your dream life is more possible than ever before. You can be anyone you want to be, live wherever you want, set up the career that uses your superpowers and spend your time doing work that fills you up and hobbies you enjoy. The robots can handle the rest. Award-winning entrepreneur Ngozi Elobuike knows this firsthand. The global AI strategist and founder transformed a moment of rock bottom (sleeping on her sister's couch) into a multi-country venture powered by AI. Now living across three countries (U.S., Ireland, and France) and pursuing her third master's degree, Ngozi has built Ireland's first black-led wine club, launched two premium beverage products, written an AI-powered travel book, and taught over 500 creatives how to use AI to unlock their potential. In her recent TEDx talk, that has already had over 200,000 views, Ngozi explains how to use today's tools to create a better tomorrow. Most people stay stuck in lives they don't love because they think transformation takes years. They believe dream lives belong to other people. The lucky ones with connections, money, or special talents. But AI has demolished those barriers. When you give repetitive tasks to technology, you create space for what matters. Time to explore. Time to build. Time to become who you're meant to be. I sold my social media agency in 2021 and used AI to build my next business. I learned to delegate everything that wasn't uniquely human to AI. I focus on doing the work I love: writing for Forbes, competing internationally in powerlifting, and living as a digital nomad across 35 cities. The tools exist. The opportunity is here. You just need to start using them strategically instead of playing around. Stop treating ChatGPT like a toy and start building systems that free your time and amplify your strengths. "What does a scientist do? They think about life as an experiment," says Elobuike. "You have dependent variables and you have independent variables. You have things that you can control in your settings." She calls AI an independent variable with the power to transform outcomes. "It actually has the ability to act as an enzyme. It has the ability to lower the activation energy needed to complete a task." Start by auditing where your time actually goes. Track your days for a week. Note what drains you versus what energizes you. Identify the repetitive tasks eating your hours. Those are your first targets for AI automation. Use tools like Claude for writing, Zapier for workflows, or Perplexity for research. Each task you delegate creates space for activities that require your unique perspective and creativity. Most people use AI for basic tasks when they could be accessing wisdom. "In the absence of an advisory board that has the ability to advise you on your business or the next step, how does AI slot in?" Elobuike asks. "Instead of asking your friend who may be a naysayer, 'hey, I'm thinking about starting this new idea venture', consider asking AI." Create specialized AI advisors for different areas of your dream life. One for business strategy. Another for creative projects. A third for personal development. Give each specific context about your goals and challenges. "Prompt ChatGPT and say, I have an idea for X. Give me advice as if you were Oprah," suggests Elobuike. "This allows you to gain insight on things that you typically wouldn't have access to." Most people never start because they think they need the perfect plan. But Elobuike advocates thinking like a consultant: "What consulting teaches you is to think about life as an experiment, but to think along the lines of ROI, return on investment, MVP, minimally viable product, and USP, unique selling point." You don't need to quit your job tomorrow. Start with micro-experiments. Want to write? Use AI to help you publish one article. Dream of starting a business? Let AI help you validate your idea with market research. "If you want to test whether or not your audience will be interested in a new wine that you're presenting to them, the first step is not to create a wine," Elobuike explains. "The first step is to make a product mockup to see if the design that you've envisioned is something that your audience has an appetite for." The numbers tell an interesting story. Around 32% of adults believe AI will benefit them, with younger adults and degree holders leading the optimism. Meanwhile, 36% remain sceptical, particularly women and older adults. This gap creates opportunity. While others debate whether AI is good or bad, you can be building. Their hesitation is your head start. Use AI to maximize your natural talents while sceptics argue about hypotheticals. By the time they catch up, you'll have built the life they're still dreaming about. "Growth hacking is what startup entrepreneurs created as a term back in 2010," notes Elobuike. "What is growth hacking? Imagine if you got not 1% better every day, but 10% better every day." You don't do this by becoming a robot. You do this by making intentional improvement in areas that matter to you. Pick one aspect of your dream life. Maybe it's your morning routine, your creative output, or your business systems. Use AI to analyze what's working and what isn't. Test variations. Track results. "If you think about a system of continuous improvement, you thoroughly analyze each step in your user journey and think about how they can gain greater access to your product or service," Elobuike explains. Apply this thinking to your own life journey. "Sparring is training," Elobuike reminds us. "You will not cut your teeth in your bedroom with your idea on a piece of paper, refusing to take action on it." The dream life you want won't build itself. But with AI as your partner, you can move faster than ever before. Start today. Open ChatGPT and describe your dream life in detail. Ask it to help you identify the first three steps. Use AI to research, plan, and execute. Let it handle the mundane so you can focus on what makes you irreplaceable. Your dream life isn't a fantasy. It's a project waiting for you to begin. Get my best ChatGPT prompts to change your life.
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How One California Winery Is Reinventing Wine Clubs For Millennials And Gen Z
A growing number of younger consumers are opting out of traditional wine clubs in favor of more flexible, personalized membership models. The traditional wine club—long defined by quarterly shipments, fixed selections and rigid commitment structures—is showing signs of strain. Amid shifting consumer behavior and mounting pressure to adapt, some wineries are beginning to rethink a model that has remained largely unchanged for decades. In El Dorado County, California, a few hours north of Napa Valley, Edio Vineyards has introduced a new approach that challenges the standard template. The winery now offers a monthly, pay-as-you-go membership in which funds accumulate in a customer account that can be used at their discretion—for wine, cider, food or goods from an on-site bakery. Christine Noonan, co-owner and general manager, says the motivation to rethink the system emerged from personal experience. 'Being in the wine industry for a while now, I have felt and learned that the traditional wine club system is a little archaic,' says Noonan, via Zoom. 'It's dated. Consumers don't want to be forced to take certain wines and are more interested in customizing.' Traditional wine clubs continue to serve an aging demographic, with a 2024 study showing that the average member is 59 years old and more than 75% are over the age of 50. Nearly 50% are retired, and about 33% earn more than $400,000 annually. This entrenched model faces increasing pressure as younger consumers—particularly millennials and Gen Z—show limited interest in rigid, quarterly-shipment clubs and instead favor flexible, personalized options. According to the 2024 Silicon Valley Bank Direct-to-Consumer Wine Survey, 19% of wine club members canceled their memberships, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the conventional structure. Despite this, 40% of wineries do not track member churn, limiting their ability to address retention issues and respond to shifting expectations. Flexibility is at the center of the model. Members pay a monthly fee—starting at $39—which builds over time and never expires. The funds can be redeemed on a timeline that suits the customer. The structure is designed to resemble a digital wallet rather than a subscription. 'We don't like calling it a 'subscription club' because it is so much more than that,' Noonan says. 'The word 'subscription' can be overused, often not even providing you with that much. Subscriptions can also be shady, continuing to charge people without them even realizing it.' Instead, Edio calls it a 'member account.' The goal is to eliminate surprises and remove the pressure to purchase unwanted products. Members can choose when and how to engage. For some, that might mean a single annual visit to restock. For others, it could mean smaller, more frequent visits with the option to use funds on a bottle of cider and a cheese plate. The approach is rooted in a generational shift. With Millennials and Gen Z consumers driving most new membership sign ups, wineries are facing increased demand for personalization and transparency. 'With all of us owners being Millennials, we obviously think a lot about what we would like,' Noonan says. This shift hasn't been without challenges. Moving away from fixed shipments complicates forecasting and inventory management. 'For larger wine brands, it might be hard to know what wines will move,' she says. 'Will you have an inventory issue? Will you find you shouldn't be making a particular SKU now?' Edio's solution is to release wines first to members, adopting a first-come, first-served model. Once a product is gone, it's gone. Communication is key. 'We've had to focus a lot on communication,' Noonan says. 'We frequently reach out to encourage members to make an order once their funds build up.' The model also addresses a longstanding concern for wineries: financial predictability. Even with flexible redemption, Edio still receives a steady monthly income. 'That was my biggest challenge when trying to figure out a new club structure—we need the dependable income,' Noonan says. 'But the beauty of this club structure is that we still get it. It's just monthly now.' So far, the results appear promising. 'The cancellation rate is significantly lower than what our traditional club was, and we are seeing a better retention rate,' she says. 'Our customers love the customization as well as smaller monthly payments instead of larger quarterly charges.' Other wineries are watching the shift with interest, but many are not ready to overhaul their own models. At Romeo Vineyards and Cellars in Napa Valley, general manager Mary Simmons says tradition still holds value. Romeo does allow members to adjust or skip shipments, but the core structure remains fixed. She says the model offers benefits of its own. 'Our members value the consistency and quality of our traditional biannual shipments, which offer a thoughtfully curated selection without overwhelming them with frequent deliveries,' Simmons says. 'This approach allows us to maintain a meaningful connection with our members while ensuring they receive just the right amount of wine at well-timed intervals.' Still, she acknowledges external pressure. 'There is a growing industry trend toward more customizable memberships, particularly among younger wine enthusiasts who appreciate flexibility.' Wayfarer Vineyard, located on the Sonoma Coast, takes a hybrid approach. The winery offers three annual shipments and allows full customization, including alternate selections and access to library wines. 'Why set ourselves up for failure by forcing our members to take a set selection of wines or quit the membership?' says Cleo Pahlmeyer, proprietor and general manager. 'Our club membership receives top priority in all that we do.' For Wayfarer, club tiers are deliberately limited. 'Our entry-level tier membership receives 18 bottles per year and the majority of our bottlings are $100 or over,' Pahlmeyer says. Still, the winery has introduced a second label, WF2, at a lower price point in an effort to reach younger audiences. 'We are finding these wines, with their value proposition and affordable price point, are resonating with younger audiences,' Pahlmeyer says. 'We have clientele who only purchase our WF2 [pinot noir] wines at the moment—but we hope with time they'll engage with the rest of our portfolio.' That long-term vision—creating a lower barrier to entry and building loyalty over time—is shared by Edio. 'A pay-as-you-go structure could serve as a stepping stone for customers who may later transition into a more traditional membership,' Simmons says. Pahlmeyer echoes the importance of deepening customer relationships over time, regardless of the model. 'The goal is to provide a compelling value proposition that also drives deeper engagement with our wines,' she says.
