Support
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Crew memberships, pricing, shipping, and the SplitVineyards experience.
Getting Started
How does joining a Crew work?
You join a Crew of 20–50 people for a vineyard's season. Your membership covers the full experience: live data feed from the vineyard, physical samples shipped throughout the year (verjuice, juice, barrel samples), participation in winemaking decisions, and finished wine at the end. Follow the journey from bud break to bottle.
Who can join SplitVineyards?
Anyone 21+ with a passion for wine can join. No prior winemaking experience is required. Our members range from first-time enthusiasts to experienced collectors and sommeliers.
How do I get started?
Create a free account, browse available vineyards on the Discover page, and join the Crew for the vineyard and season that calls to you. Each Crew has limited spots (20–50 members), so join early.
How are vineyards selected and verified?
Every vineyard partner is personally vetted by our team. We visit properties, meet winemakers, review farming practices, and taste previous vintages. Only estates with proven quality, transparency, and sustainable practices make it onto our platform.
Pricing & Yield
What's included in the membership?
Your Crew membership includes: live vineyard data feed, four physical shipments (verjuice, fresh juice, barrel samples, finished wine), participation in winemaking decision polls, community access with your Crew and winemaker, and finished wine bottles at the end of the season.
How many bottles will I receive?
Most vines yield 4–6 bottles per season, depending on the vintage conditions and estate practices. Some estates practice aggressive crop thinning for quality, which may result in fewer bottles but more concentrated wine.
What if the harvest fails?
In rare cases of total crop loss (frost, fire, etc.), we'll work with the estate to offer you an allocation from a future vintage or a refund. Partial losses are handled by the winemaker, who may blend in fruit from adjacent rows to maintain bottle count and quality.
What does a Crew membership cost?
Crew membership pricing is set by each winery and varies by prestige and inclusions — from $250 for a boutique Sonoma producer up to $2,000 for a prestigious Napa estate. The price includes all physical shipments, live data access, decision participation, community access, and finished wine.
How many people are in a Crew?
Each Crew is limited to 20–50 members per vineyard per season. The small size ensures an intimate, engaged community where your participation genuinely matters. When a Crew is full, it's full.
Winemaking Process
Who actually makes the wine?
The estate's winemaking team handles all production. But your Crew isn't just watching—the winemaker periodically poses real decisions to your Crew. Blend ratios, oak selection, pick timing. You weigh in, the winemaker decides, and shares their reasoning.
How involved can I be?
Very. You'll get a live data feed from the vineyard (brix readings, weather, irrigation), physical samples to taste at every stage, decision polls on real winemaking choices, and a community space with your Crew and winemaker. It's 10–20 minutes of engagement per task, with real deadlines and real stakes.
What grape varietals are available?
We offer everything from classic Bordeaux blends (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) to Burgundian varietals (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay), Italian grapes (Sangiovese, Nebbiolo), and more. Availability varies by region and season.
Can I customize my label?
Absolutely. Once your wine nears bottling, we'll provide a label designer where you can upload artwork, add text, and preview your custom bottle. There's no extra charge for personalization.
How do you ensure wine quality?
We partner only with established winemakers who have track records of producing award-winning wines. All production facilities are licensed and inspected. Many of our partner estates have wines rated 90+ points by major critics.
Experience & Events
Can I visit the vineyard?
Yes. Every Crew member receives an invitation to the harvest event at their estate. You'll meet the winemaking team, walk the vineyard, and participate in harvest activities. Some estates also offer private tours throughout the season.
How often will I receive updates?
You'll receive weekly video or photo updates during key growing stages (budbreak, flowering, veraison, harvest). During quieter periods, updates are monthly. All updates include commentary from the vineyard manager or winemaker.
What events can I attend?
Most estates host harvest parties, barrel tastings, release dinners, and blending sessions. Events vary by vineyard. Some are member-exclusive and free; others are ticketed experiences open to guests.
Can I bring guests to events?
Yes, most events allow you to bring 1-2 guests. Some ticketed events may have per-person fees. Check specific event details in your dashboard or the events calendar.
Shipping & Delivery
Do you ship internationally?
Currently we ship within the United States to most states. We're working on international compliance—check back soon or contact us if you're outside the US.
When will I receive my samples and wine?
As a Crew member, you receive physical shipments throughout the year: verjuice in spring, fresh pressed juice at harvest, barrel samples at 3, 6, and 9 months (each alongside a finished wine from the previous vintage), and your finished wine at year-end. Your My Samples tab tracks every shipment with expected dates.
Can you store my wine for me?
Yes. We offer climate-controlled storage for $2/bottle/month. This is ideal if you want to age your wine longer or lack proper storage at home. You can request shipment of any quantity at any time.
Can I gift bottles to someone?
Yes. You can ship bottles directly from your allocation to anyone (age 21+) in a compliant state. We provide a gifting concierge service where we handle shipment, custom gift notes, and recipient age verification.
Legal & Compliance
Can I resell my wine?
Your wine is for personal consumption only under most state regulations. If you're interested in commercial winemaking, please explore our Business Solutions page for legal options.
Do I need to be 21 to join?
Yes. All members must be 21+ and able to receive alcohol shipments in their state. We verify age during account creation and at delivery.
Do I own the vines or the land?
No. You're joining a Crew for a season, not purchasing property. Think of it as a wine club with the volume turned all the way up — you follow the entire vintage, taste every stage, weigh in on decisions, and receive wine you were genuinely part of creating.
Is this legal? Do I need a license?
Yes, it's completely legal. You don't need any licenses. The estate holds all necessary winemaking and distribution permits. You're receiving finished wine as part of an allocation program, similar to a winery club membership.
Wine Competitions
Can I enter my wine in competitions?
Yes! We offer a competition entry service where we handle all paperwork and logistics. You pay the competition entry fees (typically $100-200 per competition), and we manage submissions to prestigious events like the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards. Learn more on our Competitions page.
How much do competition entries cost?
Entry fees range from $100-$200 per competition, paid directly to the competition organizers. We don't mark up these fees. Our service for handling all logistics (forms, shipping, tracking, results) is included in your membership at no additional cost.
Is my wine eligible for competitions even with small production?
Absolutely. Most competitions accept wines regardless of production size. Whether you made 5 bottles or 5,000, your wine can be judged alongside commercial wineries. Small-batch wines often win top honors.
Business & Commercial
Can I use SplitVineyards to start a wine brand?
Yes. Our Commercial Solutions program is designed for restaurants, retailers, and entrepreneurs who want to launch private label wines. We handle sourcing, production, compliance (TTB, COLA), and distribution licensing. Visit our Business page to learn more.
I own a vineyard. Can I list it on SplitVineyards?
Potentially. We're selective about vineyard partnerships and look for estates with proven quality, sustainable practices, and the ability to provide exceptional member experiences. Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.
Do you offer corporate gifting or team experiences?
Yes. We offer custom corporate programs including branded wine allocations, team harvest experiences, and executive gifting. These are popular for client appreciation, employee rewards, and company milestone celebrations. Contact our concierge team for details.
Need More Help?
Our team is here to answer any questions. Contact us directly or schedule a call with our concierge team.