Discover the Best Oregon Wine Clubs: A Deep Dive into Cellar 503

As Oregonians, we take immense pride in our flourishing wine industry and the
exceptional Oregon wine clubs that showcase its diversity.
It might surprise you, as it did me, that a dedicated Oregon wine club didn’t
exist until recently.

While Oregon Pinot Noir enjoys global recognition, the state’s varied
terroir allows for the production of a wide array of outstanding wines,
including Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, sparkling
Brut, and many more. Discover these hidden gems with a curated wine club
experience.

What is Cellar 503? A Gateway to Oregon’s Vineyards

Cellar 503, based in Portland, Oregon,
is a wine club dedicated to showcasing wines from vineyards across the entire
state. As founder Carrie Wynkoop describes it, it’s a wine club crafted for
those who cherish Oregon – whether they call it home, have lived here in the
past, or are eager to explore the diverse world of Oregon wines. It’s more
than just wine; it’s a journey through Oregon’s rich viticultural landscape.

Meet the Founder: Carrie Wynkoop’s Passion Project

Carrie Wynkoop is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship. For the past
15 years, she and her husband have successfully built Mandate Media, a
company specializing in internet strategy for political campaigns and
nonprofit organizations. While Mandate Media was a joint venture, Carrie felt
a different calling. Her passion for wine, ignited by weekend wine tasting
trips with friends, led her to enroll in a wine course. One class was all it
took. Carrie realized the wine industry was where her true passion lay.
She pursued certification through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust
(WSET), and with unwavering support from her husband and friends, she embarked
on the research and planning that would give birth to Cellar 503. Her dream
was to create a unique wine club highlighting the diverse and exceptional
wines of Oregon, making them accessible to everyone.

What Sets Cellar 503 Apart from Other Wine Clubs?

Carrie officially launched Cellar 503
in November of last year. The first shipments went out in January, and to
date, the club boasts approximately 65 members. That’s impressive growth for
a new wine club that has expanded primarily through word-of-mouth
recommendations. The focus is on building a community of Oregon wine lovers.

A dedicated champion of small businesses, Carrie is committed to featuring
boutique vineyards that produce fewer than 10,000 cases of wine annually. In
fact, many of the vineyards featured in Cellar 503 shipments produce just
1,000-5,000 cases per year. This commitment ensures that members discover
rare and exceptional wines not readily available elsewhere. It’s a chance to
support the small, family-owned wineries that are the heart of Oregon’s wine
scene.

Carrie also prioritizes geographical diversity, providing members with a
comprehensive experience of the incredible range of wines that Oregon’s
various regions can produce. From the Willamette Valley to Southern Oregon,
members embark on a virtual tour of Oregon’s wine country. She focuses on
showcasing exceptional wines that are both affordable and approachable, with
most featured wines retailing for $30 or less. This makes Cellar 503 an
accessible way for wine enthusiasts of all levels to discover new favorites.

Carrie’s method for selecting vineyards is straightforward: she tastes and
retastes the wines, then contacts the vineyard to explore the possibility of
inclusion in a future Cellar 503 shipment. To date, no vineyard has declined
her offer! She understands the responsibility of sharing these vineyards’
stories, and each shipment includes not only detailed tasting notes but also a
personal letter from Carrie herself. This letter provides insights into the
shipment’s theme, introductions to the wines, and stories about the
passionate winemakers and the unique vineyards that bring these wines to life.

Cellar 503: Fast Facts and Membership Details

• Cellar 503 offers a variety of flexible monthly and quarterly shipment
  options to suit different preferences and budgets:
  • Two Bottles of Red Wines Only: $55
  • Two Bottles of White Wines Only: $45
  • One Bottle of Red + One Bottle of White: $50
  • Four bottles each shipment (price then doubles)
  • Four wines each quarter: $110
• Cellar 503 ships to 43 states for a flat fee of $19.99 per shipment. Check
  the website to see if your state is on the list. Local members can attend
  the monthly wine pick-up party on the third Sunday of each month. These
  events offer the chance to collect club wines, sample potential future
  selections, and connect with fellow wine enthusiasts.
• Examples of wines included in a past shipment:
  • Brick House Vineyards Gamay Noir
  • Keeler Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • J. Christopher Croft Sauvignon Blanc
  • Dion Vineyards Chardonnay

Explore More of Oregon’s Wine Country