[citation needed] The foundation of The Wine Society followed the last of the great Annual International Exhibitions.

The organisers of this publicity drive were the "Committee of Gentlemen" that would become the founding fathers of The Wine Society: Major-General Henry Young Darracott Scott was one of the architects of the Royal Albert Hall and Secretary to the Great Exhibition Commissioners.

Robert Brudenell Carter FRCS was a Fellow of the Medical Society of London and worked as an ophthalmic surgeon at St George's Hospital.

George E. Scrivenor, a senior Customs and Excise official, became the first Honorary general manager and did much of the early day-to-day work of The Wine Society until another appointment forced his resignation in 1876.

Although there is no evidence explaining why Major-General Scott suggested following the example of the Rochdale Pioneers to form a co-operative society rather than a joint stock company, the founding members' aim was to buy wines direct from growers to ensure their authenticity and quality and to offer them to members at fair prices.

[3] In 1965, thanks to the foresight of the then chairman Edmund Penning-Rowsell and treasurer Norman Alexander, The Wine Society moved to more suitable premises in Stevenage to the north of London, where all its operations have since been concentrated.

According to Charles Metcalfe of the International Wine Challenge, "much of The Society's success is down to the buyers – truffle-snufflers, experts at finding interesting parcels from smaller producers and not buying for the sake of fashion.