What
is mva?
mva (maison vernhes alliance) is a wine collective for curious, independent thinkers. We source artisanal wines directly from producers around the world: bottles that are hard to find, made in small batches, and more importantly, absolutely delicious. Often more so than prestigious labels. Every two months, members receive a collection of six carefully curated wines. No filler. No compromises.
That might sound opinionated. And truth be told, we do have strong opinions about wine. First, that there is so much to explore that each bottle should be a discovery. And second, that all discoveries should be exceptional.
So we scout the small producers who make authentic wines of great quality at fair prices. The ones who can't pay their way into the wine press and lack the distribution channels to reach you on their own. We do that part for them, so their treasures end up in your glass. You’re welcome!
What is maison vernhes?
A farmhouse on a hilltop in Val d'Orcia, Tuscany (UNESCO World Heritage landscape, if that means anything to you). It's where wine samples arrive year-round from our global network of enthusiasts, and where, every three months, we disappear for a week of blind tastings to decide what makes the cut. It's also where the magic happens. And the arguments.
The collections
What's in a collection? Six wines, curated as a set. They are all distinct in aroma and character, but coherent as a whole: that's why their labels are all inspired by the same artwork. Think of it as a playlist, not a random shuffle.
How often do collections come out? Every two months.
Will a wine ever appear twice? Never. Once featured, a wine is retired from future collections. This is about discovery, not reruns.
Can I reorder a bottle I loved? Yes. A limited number of bottles from each collection are set aside for reorders. Members get a 10% discount. First come, first served.
The curation
How do we pick the wines? Every three months, a small group of tasters — guest winemakers from previously selected wines, the mva team, and two lucky mva members — spend a week blind tasting over 50 pre-selected wines at maison vernhes. No labels. No storytelling. Only what's in the glass. A wine makes it only if it receives unanimous approval. No majority votes. No "it's fine for the price."
What are we actually looking for? Wines that are on par with (or better than) wines that cost significantly more. We're trying to find them before the rest of the world does. And they do catch up, eventually.
Are the wines natural? Biodynamic? Organic? Low intervention? In most cases, yes. But that's not our filter. Taste is. Our blind tastings don't care about labels. Our senses do the talking.
What about prestigious wines? If a wine is prestigious, you've probably already heard of it — and you don't need us for that. Expect the unexpected in our selection.
I love big cabs and oaky chardonnays. Will I be happy here? Probably not, and that's fine. It’s not that we don’t like oak: when it’s well done, it can be amazing. Anyhow, those categories are very well served in the US, and you’ll likely find something that suits your taste. If not, please feel free to reach out, and we’ll try our best to help!
Membership
How do I become a member? Commit to receiving at least 2 consecutive collections. That's it. No membership fee — you pay only for the wines.
What are the pricing options?
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2 collections: $210 per collection
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4 collections: $190 per collection
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6 collections: $180 per collection
Shipping is a flat $20 per case of 6, $35 per case of 12, regardless of delivery state.
Is membership time-based? No. It's commitment-based. Two collections released two months apart means you're a member for roughly three months. Commit to more, stay longer.
When does my membership start? The moment you commit, your first collection will be on the way.
Why is membership capped? Because the wines we pick are made in small batches. Quality doesn't scale. Neither do we.
Can I buy a membership as a gift? Absolutely. Click “Gift” in the header menu. Done.
Can I cancel my membership? Sure. Write us an email at service@mva.wine, and we'll take care of everything.
Do I need to know wine?
I'm a beginner. All that matters is whether you like a wine, not whether you're supposed to. Curiosity is the only prerequisite. The mva community will take care of the rest.
I'm an expert. Then you already know how little any of us know. Discovery is the point. Even the world's foremost wine experts are still chasing that first feeling of trying something extraordinary for the first time. So are we.
Community & what's coming
How does the referral program work? Once you're a member, you can invite up to 10 friends. Each accepted invitation earns you a special bottle of Champagne — not otherwise for sale — and gives your friend a $20 discount on their first collection. The two members with the most accepted invitations get invited to the next blind tasting week at maison vernhes.
Can I suggest a wine? Please do. Some of our best discoveries have come from members who were already out there finding extraordinary wines on their own. If you've come across something you think belongs in a future collection, tell us about it — through the website, our Instagram, or our Substack. We read everything and taste anything that sounds promising. And we love it when members become fellow scouts.
If you suggest a wine and we do love it, two things will happen. First, you’ll be credited on the website for the discovery. And second, we’ll invite you to join us at the next blind tasting in Tuscany. So send your recommendations our way!
Who's behind mva?
mva was founded by Laurent Vernhes, grandson of a winemaker from southwest France. In 2000, Laurent co-founded Tablet Hotels — an expert-curated selection of the world's most extraordinary independent hotels, acquired by Michelin in 2018. mva is the same idea, applied to wine: find the hidden gems before everyone else does, and share them with people who care.
