Wine Lockers vs. Mail Order Clubs

We accidentally stumbled into this world of "wine mailbox" programs during a visit to Public. We have always wanted to become part of a wine club, but the traditional mail-order clubs seem uninteresting to us because we can find almost any wine here in New York City. It also seems silly to join a  mail-order program when there are many and varying wine stores just around the corner. Not to knock those programs, they just aren't for us.

We thought we'd stumbled onto something unique at Public, but through research learned that Public isn’t the only one with a program like this. Look for one in your neighborhood, they’re everywhere! For example, a quick search brought up:
http://www.vintage1891.com/locker.html
http://www.mortons.com/premiumlifestyle.php
http://www.tinroofbistro.com/winelocker

The biggest plus to joining an in-house wine mailbox program for us is that you get to a special evening out of your membership. The experience is heightened as you hob nob with others who are part of the club. Everybody likes to feel special on occasion, these memberships offer that. And often at a great price.