FAQs

How are wines selected each month?

We drink a bunch of wine. We decide which wines we like best. And then we drink a bunch more wine. Then we try to figure out a box of wine that will offer balance in style and price. Kind of like putting together a puzzle. It’s not science, but we strive to make each box balanced and interesting. Hopefully, you enjoy the wines as much as we do.

When is your cutoff for getting the next box?

If you sign up before the 1st of the upcoming month, you will get your box that month! Example: if you sign up on February 28, you will get your box in March. If you sign up March 2, you will get your box in April.

When do you ship?

We ship at the end of the first week of every month, so you’ll get your wine shortly thereafter.

Can I cancel or adjust my subscription?

Yes. If for some reason you no longer wish to be a Contraband member, you are able to cancel your subscription once you log in to your account. Or, if you just want to receive your wine boxes less frequently, you can also downgrade to another subscription option. Please note that upgrading/downgrading a subscription will require cancelling your current membership and signing up for your new subscription option. If you have questions, just let us know and we’ll walk you through it!

When are the Only[wine]Fans events?

We host them monthly. Typically, mid-month, on a Saturday afternoon. We try to host them at a time when the most Contraband members can join us. If we figure out a better system for this, you will be the first to know. With your monthly box, the date and time of the monthly zoom meeting will be included. Feel free to email if you have any questions.

What are the shipping costs?

We include the cost of shipping in the monthly subscription. It ain’t cheap, but Amazon Prime set the standard. So yeah, the cost of shipping is already accounted for.

Is there a referral program?

Yes! For every person that you refer, we will give you a $25 credit - but only after that person gets 3 boxes sent to them. If you’ve referred someone to Contraband (thank you!!), please email us at referrals@contrabandwineclub.com and we’ll do the rest.

How do I know when my order will arrive?

With each shipment, you will receive an email that provides you with a tracking number. You’ll be able to track the progress of your wine box and meet the delivery guy at your door, wine glass in hand.

What happens if there’s an issue with my order?

Please contact us asap at orders@contrabandwineclub.com. We’ll work to make things right.

Do you organize in-person tastings?

Sure! I mean, once all of this social distancing stuff is over, we will. We love talking wine with wine friends and are looking forward to meeting all of you. We’ll share some special bottles, maybe pop some magnums, and have some fun.

Are the wines ‘natural’?

Honestly, we’re not sure what this means, exactly. That’s because the term ‘natural wine’ has yet to be precisely defined. A winemaker’s decisions around yeast types, sulfur dioxide use, farming practices, etc. all factor into the equation. While we all prefer simple answers, there’s no simple answer to this question, so it can’t be answered in a simple way. However, what we can say is this: we have very high standards and are very confident in the wines that we offer. Many are organic, some are biodynamic, with or without the certification. We’re not fans of additives, at all. But the process for selecting wines is based on quality.

How long should I age the wines?

We choose wines that are already in their drinking window. It is not uncommon for us to pass on a wine after tasting it and saying, “this is great, but it needs more time.” With that said, some wines have a longer drinking window than others and could be aged for several years or more. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at winequestions@contraband.com

I don’t like _____ wines, can I make a substitution? Can I customize my wine box?

Short answer: No

This is a wine club for people that want to try new things and enjoy the unique experience of receiving wines selected by someone whose job it is to know them. There are many wine clubs available out there. We are immensely proud of what we do and are excited when our members feel the same way. We would be happy to make a recommendation if you think that Contraband is not for you. But give us a try, you won’t regret it (and can always cancel).

Contact Info

Whether you have a question; issue; or just want to thank us for how awesome we are, please check the below for the proper email at which to contact us.

Wine-related questions: winequestions@contrabandwineclub.com

Order issues: orders@contrabandwineclub.com

Referrals: referrals@contrabandwineclub.com