Support
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Crews, pricing, shipping, and what a year inside a vintage looks like.
Getting Started
How does joining a Crew work?
You buy a share of one lot by the vine — a five-vine minimum — for a single vintage at one vineyard. It covers everything: a live data feed, physical samples through the year (verjuice, post-ferment, barrel), a vote on the winemaking calls, and finished wine allocated pro-rata to your vines. Follow every stage from bud break to bottle.
Who can join SplitVineyards?
Anyone 21+ with a passion for wine can join. No winemaking background is required. Our members range from first-time enthusiasts to seasoned collectors and sommeliers.
How do I get started?
Create a free account, browse Crews by region and style, and join the one that calls to you — buying as few as five vines. Each Crew is small and capped, 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, a shared space with your Crew and winemaker, and finished wine bottles at the end of the season.
How many bottles will I receive?
Your finished bottles are allocated pro-rata to your vines — buy more vines, get more bottles. Five vines is the minimum; larger shares scale from there. The exact count depends on the lot's yield, confirmed at bottling, plus the sample shipments through the year. (Block Commission lessees, by contrast, receive every bottle their block produces — roughly 100–130 a year for a Demi-Block, ~300 for a Single Barrel, more for Multi-Barrel and Estate.)
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?
Every vineyard sets its own price per vine — typically around $440 to enter at the five-vine minimum, scaling up with more vines. Each Crew page lists its exact per-vine price and the style lot it's making.
How many people are in a Crew?
Each Crew is deliberately small and capped, so the group can taste, discuss, and vote on the calls together — where your participation genuinely matters. The exact cap is set by the vineyard. 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 poses the real calls to the Crew: blend ratios, oak selection, pick timing. The Crew votes, the winemaker carries out the decision and shares the 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 shared 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.
Visits & 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 and 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?
You can join from anywhere — the data, livestreams, conversations, and decisions are global. Wine and sample shipments currently deliver within the US (most states). Outside the US, you can hold your bottles in storage, pick up at the vineyard, or ship to a US address while we roll out international delivery.
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 never own the land. A Crew is a single-vintage membership. A Block Commission is a multi-year lease of a specific block: every bottle it produces is yours, your name on the label, but the winery owns and farms the vines. Either way: they own the land, you own the wine.
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 a winemaker ready to bring a Crew into the conversation. Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.
Do you offer corporate gifting or team harvest days?
Yes. We offer custom corporate programs including branded wine allocations, team harvest days, and executive gifting. These are popular for client appreciation, employee rewards, and company milestone celebrations. Contact our concierge team for details.
Leasing a Block
How long is a Block Commission lease?
Three years minimum, with discounted five-year terms. Single-vintage engagements are Crews.
How do I start one?
Demi-Block tiers (under $5,000/yr) check out self-serve. Single Barrel and above start with a scheduled consultation.
What if I need to exit early?
Every Block Commission is a contract with the host vineyard — exit terms are part of your agreement, and the consultation walks through them before you sign.
What happens if the vintage fails?
The same crop protections that cover Crews apply to your block — your agreement spells out replacement fruit, rollover, or credit for the affected vintage.
Need More Help?
Our team is here to answer any questions. Contact us directly or schedule a call with our concierge team.