Nothing beats going to a French vineyard to indulge in a wine tasting, then choosing some delicious reds, whites or rosés to take back and enjoy whenever you wish. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the same feeling even when you’re at home? SomMailier has access to incredible boutique French wines and bring them to the US for you to enjoy through direct deliveries to your doorstep.
Named after sommelier – a trained, professional wine steward – SomMailier offers a delivery service that is ideal for Francophiles and wine-lovers. It also makes a great gift, whether for a loved one, a business partner, a client or yourself!
Who’s behind SomMailier?
This particular online wine shop grew from a lifelong passion. Co-founders Laurent and Elise Yung were both raised to appreciate and recognise the best wines: Elise’s parents used to hold monthly blind tasting sessions to learn more about wine, while Laurent grew up in a vineyard in Bordeaux and says wine flows in the family veins.
“We’re the fifth generation of wine-producers, cultivating our vines with passion and dedication,” explains Laurent. “It was wonderful growing up on a vineyard and some people envy our background because it sounds rather romantic. In reality, winemaking is one of the hardest, most arduous professions, but it’s also a love story between you and the soil. I truly believe that this passion comes through in everything we do.”
Why SomMailier is so special
Based in San Diego, at its heart, SomMailier is a family business, based on the love of French wine that began in childhood. Laurent’s brother, Patrick, followed in their father’s footsteps by working in the wine business in France; he joined Château Mouton Rothschild and acquired an in-depth knowledge of all the secrets of winemaking at the highest level.
Together, the brothers have developed a combined expertise and a multitude of connections among boutique vineyards across Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, the Champagne region and across France. They know the families, the landscape and the wine, sourcing labels you won’t find in a supermarket, vintages that are memorable, authentic and exquisite. They bring the hidden jewels and secret treasures of French wine, the boutique vintages that can’t be found easily, to clients in the US.
Great French wine in the USA
“The French have been making wine since for hundreds of years,” says Laurent, “and so much practice means there’s a lot of great wine in France, but that’s not always the wine that gets exported. It’s not easy to discern which wines really are the ones worth drinking, but SomMailer takes all the stress out of that process: we meet with local producers, we select the best of the best, then we box it up and share it with our wine club members.”
France has more than 27,000 vineyards spread over 11 major wine regions, over 200 wine varieties and 307 wine designations. As a customer of SomMailier in the US, you can trust Laurent and the team to do the legwork and use their expertise – you can enjoy the anticipation of the next delivery and know that you’re going to love drinking the next bottle.
“If we invited you for an apéritif, we would offer you a glass of wine with a certain pedigree and quality,” says Laurent. “We like to send our members wines of that same quality, wines we’d be happy to serve you in our own home.”
How does it work?
When you join the SomMailier Wine Club, there’s no contract to sign, and no long-term commitment. You can choose to order a single shipment or sign up for regular deliveries. Becoming a member means that you’ll discover a whole new world of fabulous French wines, and you can decide which format best suits you, opting for 3, 6 or 12 bottles per quarter, and choosing red, white or both.
With each bottle, you’ll receive notes on the history of the wine, the maker and the area where it is produced. Not only will you be able to appreciate the context of that particular bottle, you’ll be improving your own knowledge of French wines along the way.
Invaluable for wine aficionados
You certainly know what to expect when you order from SomMailier, as the company’s tagline is one they live up to – ‘Extraordinary wine. Effortlessly delivered. Exclusively French.’ Those who really appreciate French wine understand that this particular type of service is invaluable, especially if you can’t personally travel to France as often as you’d wish.
“SomMailier is exactly what we’ve been waiting for!” comments Sergio from California. “Authentic French wine from small family vineyards delivered right to our home. We always love exploring California wines, but now SomMailier lets us discover an entirely new wine landscape.”
“I had never gifted a wine club membership before I selected SomMailier for my husband, who is particularly enamoured with French wines,” says Teresa, another member of SomMailier. “He couldn’t be happier with the wines that have been selected and the detailed information that arrives with each bottle, including how to pair the wine with food. The communication has been so impressive right down to the personalised email follow ups from Laurent himself. I know when I am corresponding with them that I am getting an actual person that cares.”
Getting the luxury treatment
The SomMailier team focuses on discovering and meeting with small wine producing companies that might otherwise pass under your radar. Many of the wines offered to SomMailier members are also provided to some of the most legendary outlets in Paris, including the historic restaurant Fouquets of Paris, and luxury hotels whose demanding guests expect the highest quality of French wines to be paired with their meals. These are the wines that the French prefer to keep to themselves, so you’re not likely to see them on the shelf of a supermarket or off-licence in another country; these are the wines you only get to know about thanks to an expert with on-the-ground knowledge and contacts.
Why not give it a taste?
SomMailier membership rates are far lower than many wine clubs, even though they offer first-rate wines that you simply can’t get anywhere else in the US, and that’s thanks to their direct connections and personal contacts. To make it even more tempting, SomMailier have offered our readers a special introductory offer of 10% off your first order, whether for you or a friend, just click here and use the code TGLF2025 on the check-out page. A wine-club membership is a truly thoughtful gift for anyone who appreciates a fine vintage – a gift guaranteed to please the lucky recipient and put you in their good books all year round!
