Bright Cellars is a monthly wine subscription that sends wine paired to your tastes.
Bright Cellars was founded by two MIT grads with a passion for wine and technology, and they approach wine a little differently than most wine clubs.
When you sign up for a membership, you take a “taste palate quiz” to determine your unique taste profile.
Your monthly wines are selected using a proprietary algorithm that “scores each wine by comparing 18 attributes to your preferences, matching you with your monthly experience.” You can choose the ratio of red to white you receive in each box by adjusting your preferences online.
If you’re ever sent a bottle you don’t love, the Bright Cellars Wine Concierge will help you select a free replacement bottle that will ship with your next box.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Bright Cellars
The Cost: $60 + $8 shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Get $50 off your first month! No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: 4 wines picked to match your unique taste profile.
Ships to: U.S. where it is legal to receive wine by mail. If you’re uncertain whether you can receive wine shipments, contact the Bright Cellars Wine Concierge at [email protected].
Check out all of our Bright Cellars Reviews and find more wine subscriptions in the Wine Subscription Box Directory!
Keep track of your subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription box list or wishlist!
This Bright Cellars shipment contained a “Sip and Savor” print that provides tips on how to taste wine like a pro.
2016 Pana Verdelho
This bottle of Verdelho is from South East Australia, where the grape has been used in winemaking since the 1820’s. Verdehlo is a wine I discovered fairly recently, and it’s quickly become a favorite. I find that it tends to have a nice acidity, like Sauvignon Blanc, but with a little bit more fruit. This one from Bright Cellars is a little less acidic than I was expecting, but it’s still quite tasty. It’s a is smooth, light, and fruity wine with a flavor that makes me think of pineapple and peaches.
2016 Pana Chardonnay
Next up is another bottle from Pana, a 2016 Chardonnay. This is the third month in a row that I’ve received a bottle of Pana Chardonnay in my Bright Cellars Shipment, and I’m a little disappointed with the lack of variety. I’m not really a fan of this wine (it’s a little buttery and creamy for my taste), but even if I liked it I think I’d be disappointed to see it pop up in three consecutive boxes.
2015 Madison Ridge Shale Line Syrah - Value $8.88
When I first looked up this bottle online, I was a little skeptical because it’s quite inexpensive, and I feel it can be difficult to find nice reds that are under $10. Luckily, when I took a sip I was pleasantly surprised— this wine is tasty! It’s full of dark berry flavor (think cherries and blackberries) with a little bit of spice and nice, dry tannins. This is a bold wine that would be great with grilled meats and stews. Perfect for winter!
2015 Kogara Canyon Chardonnay - Value $6.99
I tend to be pretty picky about Chardonnay, so I’m always a little skeptical when I receive one in a wine box, but this one is really nice. It’s light and fruity, and it tastes a little like pineapple and melon. The most prominent flavor for me, though, is vanilla. Yum!
Verdict: This Bright Cellars box was mostly a hit for me. I loved the Verdehlo, Kogara Chardonnay, and Shiraz, but I am a little disappointed to see the Pana Chardonnay in my box for yet another month. I’ve had great luck with Bright Cellars’ Customer Service in the past, so I’m going to reach out to them to make sure they don’t send me the Pana Chardonnay again.
The subscription cost for this box breaks down to $17 per bottle. Even though I couldn’t find all of the wines in my box for sale online, that seems a little high. The two bottles I was able to find online retail for about half that.
Have you tried Bright Cellars?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.