First of all, yes, the National Rifle Association has its very own wine club. Secondly, an Australian winemaker has also discovered the club's existence and would very much like to remove its four wines that are currently sold on the club's international list. The Herald Sun reports that South Australian winemaker Yalumba is taking action to remove its four wines from the pro-gun lobby's profit-making NRA Wine Club. As head Robert Hill Smith explains, "Philosophically, I'm not disposed towards the NRA, which runs counter to my family's, and I would think all my employees', positions on gun laws. ...We will act to withdraw our stock or at least not service the account any longer."
Of course, it's not very easy for winemakers to track just where their wines are going or who else might be profiting from their sale — and some of the other Australian winemakers who learned the NRA is using their wines to raise money are totally cool with it. Jim Barry Wines head Peter Barry says he never thought about where the profit goes and, "No matter religion, colour or creed, I'm just happy people are drinking and enjoying Australian wine."
But okay, back to the fact that the NRA has a wine club. Not only does the NRA Wine Club make a payment to the NRA on your behalf every time you purchase a bottle of wine, but there are oh-so-many types of memberships available: The World of Wine Sampler Series, California Treasures Wine Club, American Cellars Wine Club and more. Memberships also come with "a 9-piece Custom NRA Engraved Wine Box" to show off to everyone at the shooting range. And for those wishy-washy wine drinkers who don't want to take on the risk of a wine club? The NRA also has a wine shop — with a "quite dynamic" list — from which profits also go to the pro-gun lobby. America, everybody.
· Aussie winemaker pulls label from NRA wine club [Herald Sun via Dr. Vino]
· NRA Wine Club [Official Site]
· All Wine Coverage on Eater [-E-]