What Wine Aficionados Love About The Cliffs

If you’re looking for your next place to call home, you’re probably searching for a community that comes complete with certain standard amenities. Think nationally-acclaimed golf courses, award-winning chefs, a variety of dining opportunities, and state-of-the-art wellness facilities.

To those wanting the ultimate wine experience, let us introduce you to The Cliffs Wine Consortium. Our program allows wine collectors and hobbyists, such as yourself, to purchase unique wines at exclusive prices. Not only will you have access to hard-to-find bottles, but members at The Cliffs are able to work closely with our certified Sommeliers to advise and help make purchasing decisions. 

Learn more about the Wine Consortium Program at The Cliffs below. Plus see the top wine picks provided by our very own Sommelier and Senior Beverage & Service Director, Alexandra Hackett. 

About the Wine Consortium Program

A distinguished service for our distinguished members, the Wine Consortium is a service we are proud to offer to each of our communities at The Cliffs. By utilizing our buying power, in tandem with offering personalized sommelier services, we are able to cater to a range of clients with a range of tastes. 

Members can make the most of this resource each week and find some of the best deals on everyday and collector’s wines. If you are not sure about which wines to try, a wine tasting is always available for you. Our sommeliers are passionate about what they do, and love sharing their knowledge about grapes, vines, and tasting notes. Anything you need to know, they can show you, so allow them to introduce you to new options and expand your drinking palate.

Discover The 8 Best Wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Meet One of Your Personal Sommeliers at The Cliffs

Alexandra is dedicated to helping members start their bottle collections and become more involved in the world of wine and bubbly. 

With over two decades of experience in the industry, she is extremely knowledgeable about her craft and is an excellent resource for the community. She arranges exclusive deals with vintners to deliver some of the world’s most delicious, unique, and sought-after bottles for as much as 40% off retail price. Best of all, The Cliffs Wine Consortium is available to all members and residents, from amateur sippers to full-fledged oenophiles.

Discover Alexandra’s picks for stocking your cellar, including an everyday drinking option and a splurge for special occasions. 

Alexandra’s List of Reds

• Splurge no. 1: Albert Bichot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Red Burgundy (Retail $400)

Tastes Like: This variety can be described as gentle, with hints of spicy red and black currant, earthy flavors, and even a subtle gaminess. Plenty of volume and powerful large-bodied flavors sit beautifully with an impressively long finish.

• Everyday Option no. 1: Domaine Drouhin Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir (Retail $48)

Tastes Like: With wine, you will find layered notes of rose petals, raspberries, and dark cherries. Hints of sour cherries, cranberries, black tea, and plums can also be noticed. Overall, it feels energizing and is very enjoyable, especially for the price point.

• Splurge no. 2: Bodegas Colomé Altura Máxima, Argentine Malbec (Retail $150)

Tastes Like: From Salta, Argentina, this malbec features black olives and malted cereals — a somewhat unusual palate. The taste has a satisfying ripeness paired with a medium body for ease of sipping.

• Everyday Option no. 2: Catena Zapata, Argentine Malbec (Retail $14)

Tastes Like: A second variety from a top-rated vineyard in Argentina, the Catena Malbec oaky and black fruit notes with rounded tannins. 

• Splurge no. 3: Duckhorn “Three Palms” Vineyard, Napa Valley, Merlot (Retail $115)

Tastes Like: Refined with a rich depth of flavor, notes of pomegranate and bitter dark chocolate stand out against the red currants and cherries of this wine.  

• Everyday Option no. 3: Charles Smith “The Velvet Devil”, Washington State, Merlot (Retail $10)

Tastes Like: Fresh and with a velvet finish, this merlot offers decadent black fruit notes that are delicious, yet dry, with low acidity.

• Splurge no. 4: Silver Oak, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon (Retail $135) 

Tastes Like: A big flavor profile that feels ripe on the tongue. Its dark coloring matches the elegant heaviness of the roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes.

• Everyday Option no. 4: Hess Collection Allomi Vineyard, Napa Valley, Cabernet (Retail $25)

Tastes Like: Bold, dry, and slightly acidic, this cabernet is bursting with red berries, vanilla, and plum. It pairs well with most meats and cheeses. 

Alexandra’s List of Whites and Sparkling

• Splurge no. 1: Krug Grande Cuvée, France, Champagne (Retail $200) 

Tastes Like: Honey and hazelnut lend to a soft, fresh taste. Its flavor profile is described as seamless, with subtle hints of fruits that sit delicately. 

• Everyday Option no. 1: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, Champagne (Retail $45)

Tastes Like: Consider this signature champagne your go-to for weekend brunches. Pleasing to the nose, Veuve’s Yellow Label is well-structured and perfectly balanced with fine notes of pear and lemon.

• Splurge no. 2: Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet, France, White Burgundy (Retail $100) 

Tastes Like: Beautifully golden with pear, almond, and vanilla hinting in the background, this complex white wine is nothing short of divine. 

• Everyday Option no. 2: Far Niente, Napa Valley, Chardonnay (Retail $48)

Tastes Like: Citrus and melon notes come together to form a sophisticated chardonnay. With Far Niente, what you smell is exactly what you taste.

• Splurge no. 3: Cloudy Bay, Te Koko, Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc (Retail $55)

Tastes Like: An impressive assemblage of flavors are harmoniously layered in the wine. You will taste honeysuckle, beeswax, pear, yuzu, tangerine, and candied ginger. 

• Everyday Option no. 3: Lobster Reef, Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc (Retail $12)

Tastes Like: A light-medium body with underlying notes of melon and guava that are both refreshing and aromatic. This wine is ideal for sipping during the warmer months.

Tasting Wine and Enjoying the Good Life at The Cliffs

Did you ever think you could live somewhere around others who are as passionate about wine as you? Well wine lovers, rejoice, because The Cliffs is the place for you. View available homes at each of our seven communities located across the Carolinas via the button below.