Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join?

How much does Taste Factor cost?

Taste Factor allows you to customize your experience to match your budget and needs. We have a variety of options from as little as $40 on up.

Why does Taste Factor cost slightly more than other clubs?

Every bottle of wine that Taste Factor offers is hand-selected from reputable producers across the country. Each is tasted and chosen by our Napa Valley winemaker who appreciates the unique characteristics of each bottle. We believe that fine wine production is an artisanal process that incorporates the unique vineyards, vintages, and techniques that can only be accomplished on a small scale. Industrially-produced wine has a different focus and while it has its place, it’s not at Taste Factor. Our wine retails for $18-25 a bottle.

How do I join?

Registration is free and, unlike the phone company, we don't have any contracts or hidden fees. Click here to sign up.

Shipping & Tax

Are there shipping and handling charges?

When you sign up to receive 4 or more bottles, we cover shipping. For our smaller packages, we charge a small delivery fee.

Will I be charged sales tax on my Taste Factor Shipment?

Depending on your zip code you may be responsible for paying applicable state and local sales taxes on your wine. If it’s necessary, our system will add the applicable taxes.

When will my Taste Factor Shipment be delivered?

We ship wine the last two weeks of every month. Depending on the delivery frequency you select, you will receive your wine at the end of every month, every other month or once every three months. Depending on when during the month you sign up, your order may not ship until the next month. Based on your address, delivery times range from 1 day to 1 week.

What if I am going out of town and need to temporarily suspend my membership?

Sign in to your account. In the My Account menu, you'll see our Hit Pause feature, which lets you skip your next shipment. We'll automatically resume your shipments the following month. If you need to skip more than one month please contact our support team and they’ll be glad to help you.

Are there states where Taste Factor cannot deliver wine?

Yes. Currently we are unable to accept orders that are delivered to addresses in AK, AL, DE, HI, MT, MA, PA and UT. If you live in one of these states and want to send a gift or shipment to an address outside of those listed above, that’s okay. If you live in one of those states and are upset you can’t get our wine, visit FreeTheGrapes.org to contact your legislator and tell them to lighten up. Please check back with us as we are always expanding our reach.

Do you ship internationally?

No. World domination is still a ways away.

How do I track the wines once they ship?

Every month you will receive an email with a tracking number once your shipment is received by our carrier. If your shipment will be delivered by FedEx, you can request that FedEx hold your package at a local FedEx store for up to 5 days and pick it up at your convenience.

How can I change my shipping address or other account information?

Sign into your account and click on the Update Account link in the My Account menu. Easy as pie.

Who can accept a shipment from Taste Factor?

Someone who is at least 21 years or older must be available to sign for each shipment. When providing us with a shipping address please take this into account as the law prohibits us from leaving the package without a signature. We strongly suggest you ship your wine to a place where someone can sign (like your work, leasing office, etc).

Can you deliver to a P.O. Box?

Nope. The feds won't let us.

What happens if we can’t deliver to the address you provide?

There are usually a couple of reasons why we can’t deliver to an address. First, we can’t ship to a PO Box. Also, please be sure that the address you provide is complete, meaning that is has all of the following information if applicable:

  • Company
  • Suite or Floor
  • Apartment Number
Please make sure you are shipping to an address where someone 21-years or older will be available to sign for the package. We will try to deliver your wine up to three times but if we have to re-route the delivery you may be responsible for a $25 fee.

How We Work

What is the Recommendation Engine?

This is where the serious math takes place. I'm talking Good Will Hunting, Beautiful Mind, Moneyball math. When asked to explain how this thing works, our resident mathematician started going on about eigenvectors -- that's when I asked him to explain it in English. So here it is in a nutshell. When you hop onto taste-factor.com and rate the wines we ship you, you're adding fuel to the engine. The way you rate each wine tells us a lot about you. So much so that we can predict what other wines you will love.

The technology and calculus we apply was born academia, souped-up, and put to work finding great wine tailored to your palate. It's proven to work. It's patented. It's awesome.

That’s the big difference between us and the other guys. We take the guesswork out of asking superficial flavor-based questions like whether you enjoy flavors described as earthy, citrusy, fruit-forward, or nutty. (I mean, who doesn't?!?) Trust us, we’re good at this.

How do I rate a wine I’ve received as a part of my Taste Factor shipment?

The easiest way is using the Taste Factor mobile site. You can also rate the wines directly from the regular Taste Factor web site. After you sign into your account, you can click on the Rate My Wine link in the My Wine menu. You will be able to rate each wine on a four-point scale.

What if I want to change the wines in my upcoming shipment?

We pick your wines based on your past ratings and the ratings of thousands of other people. You want to let us pick the wine. Trust us.

How many bottles can I order?

You can order as few as 2 or as many as 12. If you are planning a party and want to order more, email us at hi@taste-factor.com.

When I really enjoy a wine from a previous shipment how do I order more?

When you go to the Rate My Wine page, you'll see a box you can check to request another bottle of any wine you've tried and loved. As long as we have it in stock, we'll include it in your next shipment. If you would like a larger quantity, email us at hi@taste-factor.com.

How do you select the wines you offer?

One of our team members is a (darn good) winemaker in Napa Valley. He hand selects every bottle we offer to ensure that you will only receive high-quality, artisanal, delicious wines. We work directly with wineries. Some wineries find us, others we find on our own. We won’t send you anything we wouldn't drink ourselves, and we are really, really picky.

How does the Taste Factor referral system work?

Each time you refer a friend to Taste Factor and they sign up, we send you a free bottle of wine. What’s better than free wine? More free wine, so keep referring!

Does Taste Factor offer flash sales?

No. We kick some serious butt without the need for flash or sales. We're not going to sell you wine available at a steep discount because nobody's buying the stuff.

Is Taste Factor a retailer?

Taste Factor is not a direct retailer. We are an online community that recommends wine to each customer, just like you! We partner with wineries to get the good stuff into your hands.

Do you have a mobile app?

We're working on it. In the meantime, our mobile site is built like an app so you can review and rate your wines directly on your smartphone or tablet.

Payment, Returns, & Our Guarantee

When will my credit card be charged?

Your credit card is not charged until your wine ships, usually between the 1st and the 15th of the month depending on when you signed up.

What if a bottle arrives damaged?

Contact us and we will get you a new bottle immediately.

What if I don’t like a bottle in my shipment?

We guarantee our wines are tasty. If for any reason you are unhappy with a selection contact us and we will get you something you like.