How to choose a wine club

Choosing a wine club.

We have 4 wine clubs for you to choose from. Each club operates according to the same format per month, with slight tweaks to allow for geographic area’s and members’ preferences.

Please note that tastings may take place outside of the “traditionally accepted” geographic area of each club as it is our aim to introduce wine lovers to a slightly wider spread of wines than ONLY those from their immediate area. This is especially true of the Stellenbosh/Paarl/Somerset West, Durbanville and Franschhoek area’s.

Membership fees

All clubs charge a membership fee of R300 pp to join for the year.

Monthly costs differ according to the club you’ve joined and is only payable if member/visitor is booked. Monthly tastings are optional and (monthly) fees only need to be paid if booked. Visitors pay an additional R50 in addition to membership costs. See Club Descriptions below.

The Clubs are:

District Mail/Eikestad Nuus – Last Thursday of every month. 18h30 for 19h00. (Additional dates are added if needed)
Goblets & Gourmets - Second Tuesday of every month. 18h30 for 19h00.
Wine Explorers – Second Thursday & last Wednesday of every month. 18h30 for 19h00. (Extra date might be included depending on demand).
City Vision – Last Tuesday of every month. 18h30 for 19h00.

Club Descriptions:

1. Goblets & Gourmets:

The oldest, most established club. Consists generally of the older generation (From 30-65), tends to visit wineries before the other clubs do and always has a quality meal included. Monthly costs which include a substantial meal + the tasting range from R200-R400 pp per month, depending on the winery and restaurant visited. Around 40 members. Always meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

2. Wine Explorers:

A younger crowd with memberships which fluctuate more due to work responsibilities, travel, babies and the huge amount of members who bring guests along to tastings! Meals are lighter and simpler with costs at R150 pp per month. Around 80 members. Can have up to 3 tastings per month. Always meets on the second Thursday and last Wednesday of every month. An additional date can be added.

3. Eikestad Nuus/District Mail wine club:

Ranging from their 20′s to 60′s, these club members are from the Boland area and the club is 1 year old in 2011. Around 60 members, they meet on the last Thursday of every month, and although usually in the Stellenbosch/Somerset West area, we do visit some of the Franschhoek wineries as well as wineries on the borders of Durbanville. A light meal at R150 pp is served.

4. City Vision Wine Club

Starting up in 2012. The first tasting will be at historical winery, Vergenoegd, just off the N2 on Tuesday, 28 February at 18h30 for 19h00 where owner and winemaker John Faure will explain all about his wonderful wine ranges & Port.

How to sign up to a club.

Firstly complete the membership form:

Click here to complete the membership form.

Receive an email from Bjorn welcoming you + banking details for your membership fee.
Make the payment and email or fax the deposit info to Björn. (Ensure that your name is clearly indicated on the proof of payment)
You will then be asked to log-in with your own password, which then enables you to participate in all club events + rsvp for monthly tastings.

Wine Club rules:

1. Tastings:

Avoid the use of perfume and aftershave before coming to the wine club.
If possible, avoid using lipstick and brushing teeth just before the tasting.
Wear comfortable shoes as we often do cellar tours.
Bring a pen to complete your tasting form.
Try to eat something light before coming to the tasting.
While the tasting is on, it’s polite to listen to the presenter. Questions and comments relevant to the tasting is appreciated, however. Once the tasting is over, it’s time to socialise!
Smoking is not allowed during the tasting. Afterwards smokers are welcome to indulge outside the venue.

2. RSVP’s:

Once a positive RSVP is received for an event and it is changed after the RSVP closing date (two working days prior to the event), you are responsible for the costs as if you had attended. Unfortunately, the club has to pay for you if you don’t turn up or cancel in time. (Obviously we will always do our best to accommodate you – but once we’ve confirmed numbers, we are normally held to them!)
If you RSVP on behalf of a guest and the guest doesn’t turn up, the club member is responsible for the guest’s fee. (Payment rules as per the above also applies to guests who attend without members’ invitation)

3. Tasting fee’s & wine purchases:

Tasting fees are paid on the night and must be paid before the tasting commences.
Most wine estates will accept credit cards when buying wine to take home after the tasting.

4. General:

We have taken note of food allergies and food preferences eg religious issues, wheat intolerants and vegetarians.
We will indicate if guests are welcome, but only after all members have been given the opportunity to attend.