Firstleaf in 2021
A look back at this past year and our hopes for 2022.
Firstleaf is that one subscription box you get to test out and evidently fall in love with it. As someone keen on entertaining and having the occasional at-home date night, this year, a wine subscription box was perfect. We've tried our fair share of beverage subscription boxes here at MSA, and even our readers liked what they get with each Firstleaf box. I reviewed Firstleaf in 2021 and thought it might be great to look back at what this subscription delivered this year. As we look forward to a new year, I'm curious to see what Firstleaf will do better in 2022. Let's rewind and take a look at Firstleaf's 2021 subscription boxes.
Firstleaf Wine Club: Unboxing Experience
1 of 7
About Firstleaf
The Price: The introductory box is $39.95 with free shipping. After that, future boxes start at $90, including shipping.
ACTIVE DEAL: Intro offer $39.95 + free shipping no code needed. No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Box: Firstleaf is a monthly wine subscription box that sends you a personalized selection of wines based on your preferences. They tap into an algorithm-based quiz that finds the best picks for your taste. Each box comes with at least six bottles of wine. The algorithm tweaks your selection to send you more in-tune wines as you give feedback about the wine.
Ships To: Currently, Firstleaf ships to 44 states and the DC. They do not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Utah, Rhode Island, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Firstleaf Subscriptions in 2021
Image via our review.
Firstleaf offers a variety of different styles of subscriptions. Subscribers can choose between the types of wines they want to receive and the number of bottles (6 or 12). Members can also choose how often they want to receive their boxes – every 1, 2, or 3 months. There are four types of wines you can receive:
- Only white wines
- Only red wines
- Mixed wines (red and wine)
- Only sparkling wines
What Firstleaf Got Right in 2021
Customization
From the moment you take the quiz, the personalization begins. I love that you can choose the number of bottles per shipment and change your mind every month. So, if you know you'll be having more people coming over or events planned, you can get a larger shipment. The same goes for the types of wines you receive. The fact that you can try only reds or only sparkling wines really lets you step outside of your comfort zone without making a long-term commitment.
On-call Concierge
More than a wine subscription, Firstleaf works like a wine club. Every member gets access to a WSET certified Wine Concierge team. You can learn more about your account, get wine recommendations, and even pairings that best match your profile. All of this is free of charge and really gives you a white-glove experience that makes this subscription genuinely worth it. To me, it was like having my personal sommelier an email away.
Bundles & Store
While you will not always love all the wines, when you find one you like, you can easily get it. Firstleaf has a wine shop available for those who aren't ready for membership. Their wine bundles include some of their featured wines to give you a taste of the experience at a more affordable price. Their store lets you buy their best-selling wines individually. I love this option because you can send one of the wines you loved to a friend, or you can choose to stock up on more bottles for later.
Wine School
Sure, I'm no sommelier, but I love learning about wines and pairings. Firstleaf's Wine School includes many resources to learn more about wines. From their origins to picking the perfect wine for the holidays, their online wine school has plenty of articles to read. I particularly love reading their wine guides for beginners because it really helps me make more bold choices for my next boxes.
Firstleaf In Reviews
Here at MSA, some of our reviewers (including myself) have shared their experiences with Firstleaf over the years. Here's what we had to say:
“As this was my first time trying Firstleaf, I’d say I really enjoyed the whole process. While I didn’t love all the wines in my box, there wasn’t one that I absolutely hated. [...] I liked that you can postpone shipments, so you don’t feel pressured to drink all the wines. [...] Overall, I’d happily order another box. I’d love to see how their recommendations get better with each box.” – Geraldine Orentas
“I love that it’s no longer a 6 bottle risk and find that again this month, we enjoyed all of the bottles! Like their wine – this subscription just keeps getting better with time.” – Colette Christian
“I challenged myself to create meals based on the wines I received. While I wasn’t in love with every bottle in my box, for $15 per bottle, the subscription is still a great deal worth every penny.” – Lindsey Morse
Firstleaf's Holiday Gifting in 2021
If you're like me (a last-minute gift shopper), you can turn to Firstleaf for some thoughtful ideas. In addition to the subscription (which always makes a great gift), they have different gift options in their shop:
- Gift Cards: Choose between $80 to $240 gift cards, and Firstleaf will select wines for their tastes. They can choose to join the club or buy individual bottles.
- Bundles: Send someone Firstleaf's best-selling wines choosing a bundle. Pick from a 3-pack, 6-pack, or 12-pack box with reds, whites, mixed, and sparkling wines. They also have their handpicked holiday wine bundles just in time for the holidays.
What I Would Like to See in 2022
Better Subscription Control
While you can choose to skip, edit, and change specifics about each delivery, the process isn't that simple. Several MSA readers have complained about how difficult it is to cancel the subscription. Right now, you'll have to call their customer service team and request to cancel your subscription and explain why you want to cancel it. I wish this could all be done on the website.
Wine Accessories
Although I know this is a wine subscription only, it would be great to get some accessories from time to time. I'd love if some boxes arrived with coasters, cheese boards, wine glass identifiers, and other accessories to compliment your wine experience. Perhaps this is something they'll introduce in 2022?
Wine Samples
Sometimes I feel that a full-size bottle is too much of a risk. I'd love to get at least one sample per box as a teaser of what's next in the box. Even if it's a small vial, it will help me feel more confident of the wines I receive in my next box – after all, I'm not a wine expert.
Did you subscribe to Firstleaf in 2021? What were your thoughts? What do you want to see in 2022? Let's talk in the comments!
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.