It’s no secret that Costco is an excellent place to shop if you want affordable prices. One great way to save money at Costco is to buy good wine at the retailer for a bargain price.
Here are some money-saving tips for the next time you purchase wine at Costco.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.
New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.
Know your vintages
Costco doesn't change prices too much based on their vintage. So, you'll need to do some research to find out which years offer the best wines, as you can't tell by price alone.
If you're interested in researching vintages to invest in, use a site like Vinovest instead of poring through Costco's shelves. They help you source, purchase, and store wines without needing a lot of upfront capital.
Go in with a plan
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by Costco’s vast wine selection. If you want a good deal on something you will love, it’s smart to go in with a plan.
Narrow down to a few varieties of wine you like, and research good brands within that variety. This can eliminate some shopping anxiety and help you better identify good deals.
Grab good wines before they're gone
A rule of thumb for shopping at Costco is to note any item with an asterisk, also known by CostcoWineBlog.com as the “star of death.” This symbol indicates that the item is the last of its stock.
If you know you like a wine tagged with an asterisk, buy it in bulk in true Costco fashion.
Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1
Don’t skip Kirkland Signature wines
While Costco offers great deals on multiple wine brands, don’t overlook Kirkland Signature wines.
There are several Kirkland wines that are equal parts delicious, rich, and affordable. If you aren’t particular about labels, you can find great deals.
Sleuth around for premier winemakers
If you want to source an excellent wine at Costco, check the labels on those Kirkland Signature wines. In some cases, the winemaker behind these products will be listed on the label.
You can work backward from there: Knowing who the winemaker is, you might be able to figure out where the grapes came from, including which vineyard.
Trending Stories
Dig through the bins
There's a good chance your local Costco will stock wines from various vintages in the same wine bin. That means you need to look carefully to make sure you're getting the vintage you want.
If you find only a bottle or two of the vintage you desire, look under the display bins to see if there are more bottles in stock there.
Learn the price code
You can find the best prices at Costco by paying attention to the label. While the price of most items ends in “$.99,” wine that is on sale will have tags ending in “$.97,” according to CostcoWineBlog.com.
Additionally, items that end in prices with a nine but are not “$.99” (such as “$.89”) likely represent special Costco deals, meaning you might not find a better price elsewhere.
Prices that end in eight or zero mean Costco is likely trying to get rid of the item to make room for additional stock.
Buy in bulk
If you see a wine you like at a great price, just buy a whole wooden crate.
If you’re not buying in bulk, try and snag empty wooden crates if you see them. These crates can help prevent your wine bottles from rolling around in your cart or car.
Get better wine selections during holidays
Even if you’re familiar with your local Costco’s wine selection, be sure to take another pass through during major holiday seasons. This is a time when you will likely find new selections.
Don’t go too close to the holidays, though, as the selection may have been picked through by then.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Learn when deliveries come in
If you really want to access the best wine selections, find out when your local Costco receives its wine deliveries. This is generally a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, but check to be sure.
Head in early to be one of the first to comb through the available varieties.
Talk to the wine advisor
Some Costcos have a wine advisor. If that is true at your local warehouse, introduce yourself, give them an overview of your preferences, and check in routinely to see if they have anything special coming in.
Buy sample bottles
While buying a wine you love in bulk is a great way to save money, you don’t want to purchase something in bulk if you have never tried it before.
Instead, buy just one bottle to sample. If you like it, you can always return for more later.
Bottom line
Not only is Costco a great place to save on groceries, but you can also cut the cost of wine when you buy it at the retailer.
Shopping for wine at Costco is a great way to save money on wines you already love and explore new wines without breaking the bank.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.