The Wine Society
The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited, commonly referred to as The Wine Society, is the world's oldest wine club having been founded on 4 August 1874 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, United Kingdom. The Wine Society was created and still operates as a co-operative with each member being the owner of one share. It has received several accolades from the wine trade industry throughout the years and is currently Decanter Outstanding Retailer of the Year (for the seventh time in eight years) and the IWC Wine Club of the Year (for  the third consecutive year). History. The foundation of The Wine Society followed the last of the great Annual International Exhibitions. Various countries had sent large quantities of wine in cask to the exhibition to be stored and poured in the cellars of the Royal Albert Hall, but visitors to the exhibition were unaware of its presence. With no return to show for their investment, the growers from Portugal appealed to the British Government for assistance. In response to this, a series of lunches was held to publicise the wines. The organisers of this publicity drive were the "Committee of Gentlemen