12 surprise bottles to unwrap, 12 winery interviews!
We just completed our 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar to take you on a wine journey across Canada and our world class wine regions! For each wine, you can meet the winemaker and learn more below.
Introducing.... build your own pack!
Get free shipping on any 12+ bottles from the 12 wines below, or $20 flat rate for less than 12.
We'll pack all your Advent Calendar wines up together and ship them to arrive early in January 2025. 👇
D'Angelo
WINE #12: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 24
D'Angelo Dolce Vita Rosso 🔥 95pts 🔥 Exclusive Release!
BC Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
100% Tempranillo
🔥 95pts Carl's Wine Club
I tasted this wine out of the barrel two years ago, and I knew from that moment the wine would be special one day…but to be honest, I didn’t anticipate it would be THAT special. OMG, this is Top 10 Wines of the Year material. From 100% Tempranillo grapes, 7 years of barrel aging, mostly coming from the 2016 vintage, this small batch of fortified wine has to be the very best Canadian “port style” wine I have ever tasted. Fragrant nose of pipe tobacco, plums, Morello cherries, dark chocolate, violets, eucalyptus and toffee are mingling beautifully with aromas of dried herbs and oak spices. On the palate, this bottle offers a very creamy and richly textured wine with substantial fruit weight, with blue plum, dark cherry, cassis and raspberry jam, sweet oak spice, licorice and loads of tobacco. There is a toasted note of espresso bean on the finish interacting with cracked black pepper and cloves. The most surprising aspect of this 18+ % alcohol it’s the freshness: it’s fantastically bright and crisp for an after meal pour. It also shows elegant restraint despite its natural power. (Carl Boucher, August 2, 2024).
Food pairings: dark chocolate desert, baclava, tiramisu
Drink between: 2024 and 2035
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Bella Terra
WINE #11: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 23
2017 Bella Terra Cabernet Franc 🔥 93pts
ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Four Mile Creek VQA
100% Cabernet Franc
🔥 93pts Carl's Wine Club
A “big boy” wine… big, rich and concentrated! At the top end of the full-body spectrum. This is still young and up-front, but time will bring balance and softness to this wine. It’s definitely built for the long run with good, proper and effective usage of oak. The nose is explosive with aromas of blueberry jam, plum, coffee grind and licorice. The palate mirrors the nose effectively and also offers richness and concentration in flavours, but also complexity and length. The finish is spicy offering notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. After Tasting the 2015 vintage of this wine (94pts), I have a clear understanding of the long-term potential of this vintage… and it is very promising! (Carl Boucher, August 2, 2022).
Food pairings: pulled pork, soft cheese like gorgonzola
Drink between: 2023 and 2030
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Da Silva Vineyards & Winery
WINE #10: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 22
2023 Da Silva Fumé Blanc | 92pts 🔥 Exclusive Pre-Release!
BC Naramata Bench VQA
100% Sauvignon Blanc
🔥 92pts Carl's Wine Club
Over the years, Fumé Blanc has become a cornerstone wine in the Da Silva portfolio. Made from estate-grown fruit sourced from their two Naramata Bench vineyards (Hidden Hollow and Blenheim Hill), this Sauvignon Blanc was first fermented in stainless steel to preserve the fruit's flavor integrity. It was then aged on its lees in oak barrels for eight weeks, adding texture, layers, and complexity. On the nose, it offers aromas of gooseberry, pink grapefruit, peach, and mandarin, complemented by a grassy note that gradually reveals the varietal's classic characteristics. The palate unfolds intriguingly in two stages: initially, a burst of tropical fruit flavors—pineapple, mango, and guava—explodes on the tongue, setting the stage for a mineral-driven finish with a hint of lingering white spice.After 30 minutes of breathing, the tropical notes evolve into more citrus and orchard fruit flavors, such as lime, golden apple, lemon custard, and Okanagan peach. The finish remains consistent, with a tartness that highlights the Naramata Bench terroir beautifully. This wine promises even greater complexity with age—can't wait to revisit it in three years! (Carl Boucher, November 8, 2024) 324 cases made.
Food pairings: seafood pasta, cheese fondue
Drink between: 2024 and 2029
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Blasted Church
WINE #9: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 21
2019 Blasted Church “Nothing Sacred” | 92+pts
VQA British Columbia
35% Merlot, 25% Cab Sauv, 13% Cab Franc, 12% Petit Verdot, 12% Malbec
🔥 92+pts Carl's Wine Club
A South Okanagan-Similkameen Bordeaux blend featuring the five classic varietals, this wine showcases a super soft texture, remarkable complexity, and impressive concentration. It was aged for 20 months in oak barrels (65% French, 35% American), with 50% of the barrels being new to provide extra depth, layered flavours, tannins, and softness. On the nose, expressive aromas of cassis, dark cherry, plum, chocolate, oak spices, and dried herbs strike a perfect balance between stylistic expression and vintage typicity.On the palate, the tannins are beginning to resolve, melting beautifully into the wine, while bright acidity keeps it fresh and vibrant. The length is absolutely remarkable. Dominant flavours include cassis, dark plum, blackcurrant, espresso coffee, and dried thyme. The spices on the back palate are noticeable and enticing, lingering with notes of cloves and both white and black pepper. This is an impressive wine that reaffirms my love for the very underrated 2019 vintage. Only 200 cases were produced.
Food pairings: slow cooked lamb shoulder, filet mignon with red wine reduction and portobello mushrooms
Drink between: 2024 and 2029
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Corcelettes
WINE #8: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 20
2021 Corcelettes Cabernet Sauvignon | 🔥 93pts
BC, VQA Similkameen Valley
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
🔥 93+pts Carl's Wine Club
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the standout varietals of the Similkameen Valley, Canada’s “Organic Capital.” This narrow, windy valley boasts a dramatic mountainous backdrop, with significant diurnal temperature shifts and scorching summer days—all ideal conditions for cultivating “world-class” Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, powerful, and concentrated, the Corcelettes 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies what the Similkameen Valley can offer. On the nose, it presents aromas of blackberry, black plum, soy sauce, dark licorice, cedar, a hint of dried sage, and a wonderful sequence of oak spices. On the palate, the tannins are soft for a three-year-old Cab Sauv, with an oak presence that, while forward, is enjoyable and well-integrated. Bold flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black licorice, black olives, and pipe tobacco form the wine’s core. The finish is spectacular, showcasing spices such as clove, cinnamon, and cracked black pepper, alongside a charcoal-like mineral texture that reveals the rugged terroir of the Similkameen Valley. Not to mention, the $40 price point is outstanding for a Cabernet Sauvignon of this calibre. (Carl Boucher, December 12, 2024) Only 280 cases produced.
Food pairings: slow-cooked beef short ribs, Greek moussaka
Drink between: 2026 and 2033
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Bachelder Wines
WINE #7: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 19
2022 Bachelder “Mio” Chardonnay | 🔥 93+pts
ON, Niagara, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
100% Chardonnay
🔥 ONLY 48 CASES MADE
🔥 93+pts Carl's Wine Club
The newest Chardonnay in Thomas' Terroir line up, from the Mio Vineyard, fits seamlessly into Thomas’s vision. Expressive and generous, this wine exhibits a “Grimsby Hillside”-like delivery with a touch of “Foxcroft” Bench-style influence. Simply put, it’s absolutely spectacular. Hailing entirely from the Lincoln Lakeshore appellation, this new addition is a standout from the start. On the nose, it offers enticing aromas of lemon meringue, pear preserves, golden yellow apple, seashell-like ocean spray, and a subtle floral note. The bouquet is wonderfully complex, simultaneously exciting and challenging.The palate is rich and concentrated, delivering remarkable complexity. Flavours of white peach, lemon zest, blood orange, and pear greet the front palate, transitioning gracefully into a floral and mineral extravaganza with notes of lemon meringue and lightly toasted spices. The salty minerality, while not as prominent as in the Wismer Foxcroft, beautifully enhances the finish. The 2022 vintage is shaping up to be my favourite Chardonnay vintage since 2019.
Food pairings: seared scallops, grilled pork chops
Drink between: Now and 2030
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Trail Estate
WINE #6: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 18
2021 Trail Estate Pinot Noir | 92pts
ON, VQA Prince Edward County
100% Pinot Noir
92pts Carl's Wine Club
A delicate and elegant Pinot Noir, light on its feet yet offering remarkable concentration and a true reflection of Prince Edward County. Sourced from some of the best blocks of the 6-acre home vineyard, the wine is crafted with a “low intervention” approach, including wild yeast fermentation and over 18 months of aging in oak barrels. The aromatics are expressive, with notes of violet, cranberry, blue plum, crushed raspberry, brown sugar, and a hint of red licorice. The palate is beautifully layered, expanding quickly and evoking the style of New Zealand’s Central Otago Pinot Noirs. The fruit expression dominates the front palate, delivering sour cherry, cranberry compote, and blackberry liqueur. The mid-palate is firm, with a citrus edge and mouth-watering acidity, followed by subtle earthy tones and a touch of cedar. The finish reveals toasted barrel notes and a distinct minerality, with a texture reminiscent of charcoal. This wine exudes a genuine sense of place.
Food pairings: charcuterie, Black Forest ham
Drink between: Now and 2029
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Hester Creek
WINE #5: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 17
2022 Hester Creek “GSM” 🔥 93pts
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
48% Grenache, 38% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre
🔥 93pts Carl's Wine Club
94 pts, Platinum WineAlign | 92 pts Gismondi
This is a wine of elegance and finesse, reminding everyone that care and meticulous viticulture can deliver refined results, even from some of the hottest sites in the country. Vineyard 11 is one of the most fascinating sources of grapes, located at the northern tip of Lake Osoyoos. It provides sufficient heat units to achieve ripeness for Grenache and Mourvèdre, two rare varieties in British Columbia. On the nose, aromas of red cherry, freshly crushed raspberry, milk chocolate, blue plum, violet, and dried sage develop beautifully, evoking memories of classic Southern Rhône blends. On the palate, the three grape varietals seamlessly contribute their unique influences to the blend. The Grenache (48%) shines first, offering fruit-forward notes of red cherry, plum, red licorice, and blackberry, along with a hearty, easy-drinking charm. The Syrah (38%) adds structure, smoky elements, blueberry flavors, mid-palate weight, and a touch of white pepper on the finish. Finally, the Mourvèdre (17%) brings depth and gravitas, a floral elegance, mocha, a pronounced cedar note, and a hint of chili pepper on the finish. This blend has gained global acclaim, and now we can see it evolving beautifully right in our own backyard. An absolutely fascinating wine—well done, Mark Hopley!
Food pairings: creole dirty rice, smoked brisket
Drink between: 2026 and 2032
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Muscedere Vineyards
WINE #4: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 16
2020 Muscedere Syrah 🔥 94pts
ON, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
100% Syrah | Dry (5.0g/L RS) | 13.5%ABV
🔥 94pts Carl's Wine Club
Oh WOW…those were the very first words that came out of my mouth after my first sip! A very hedonistic type of wine, and a very classic style for this varietal, from one of the very best vintages that Ontario has seen in the last couple of decades. This first sip took me right back to the 2016 vintage of this wine, very similar and equally delicious. On the nose, some very expressive layers of floral aromas open up quickly at first, followed by crushed raspberry, blue plum, black licorice and a distinctive meaty component. The palate is suave and refined, delivering an expressive and concentrated style of Syrah, highlighted by a fine elegance, almost like a romance in a glass. Flavours of fresh crunchy red fruits arrive on the first layer, followed by blueberry and plum before hitting some notes of licorice and tobacco and ending with a distinct white pepper. This Syrah will age gracefully for at least a decade, and is a candidate for my Top 10 Wines of the Year for 2024! (Carl Boucher, November 2,2024).
Food pairing: sweet and sour pork, smoked brisket
Drink now until 2030
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Tantalus
WINE #3: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 15
2021 Tantalus “Old Vines” Riesling 🔥 93+pts
BC, Okanagan Valley VQA
100% Riesling | Dry
🔥 93+pts Carl's Wine Club
From one of the oldest blocks of vinifera grapes in the Okanagan, the “Old Vines” Riesling is the quintessential example of what we can offer in terms of quality and complexity. Expressive, textural and incredibly complex, this Riesling is truly “World Class.“ Bone dry in perception, this wine still has almost 9 grams of residual sugar to bring balance, but the sky-high acidity level equalizes the sweetness on delivery, which creates layers and layers of flavours, but also a stunning texture to contrast the buzzing energy. On the nose, superb aromas of lemon curd, green apple, tangerine, honey blossom and chamomile are line-up in a perfect sequence to announce a very classic style of Germanic Riesling. The palate is rich and powerful, delivering flavours of lemon meringue and green apple, apricot and honey, lifted with a great deal of minerality. The length of the finish definitely matches my high expectations, coming from such established old vines. This wine will age gracefully for 15 years without a shadow of a doubt. (Carl Boucher, December 3, 2024)
Food pairing: pork raclette, spicy sushi
Drink now until 2028
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Malivoire
WINE #2: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 14
2021 Malivoire “Courtney” Gamay | 92pts
ON, Niagara, Beamsville Bench VQA
100% Gamay Noir | Dry
92pts Carl's Wine Club
92pts WineAlign
From one of the oldest blocks on the home vineyard, this single vineyard, single block wine is one of the most prized Gamays in Niagara. Aromas of crushed raspberry, red cherry, violets, leather smoked meat, nutmeg and a hint of sage. This sequence announces a pure and authentic wine. I swear, I could have called a Cru Morgon (Beaujolais) on a blind tasting. The palate is soft with a rich texture and very well layered, sparked with a beautiful point of acidity. The high-level complexity definitely backs up the old vines narrative here. The flavours perfectly reflect the aromas showing wonderful synergy accross the board. Earthy with fantastic fruits attributes, this well-rounded Gamay is an outstanding addition to the dinner table, offering tremendous versatility. (Carl Boucher, 12/01/2024).
Food pairing: charcuterie, seared duck breast
Drink now until 2028
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Carl's Wine Club
WINE #1: UNWRAPPED ON DEC 13
NV Benjamin Bridge “Reserve” Traditional Method Sparkling 🔥 92+pts 🔥 Exclusive Release!
NS, Gaspereau Valley
60% Chardonnay, 35 L’Acadie Blanc, 5% Pinot Noir
Every time I taste a wine from Benjamin Bridge, I get very excited… no joke, I’m like a kid in a candy store! I want to taste them all. This small batch NV “Reserve” is another GEM made by Jean-Benoit Deslauriers and his team. I define this wine as sophisticated, energetic, layered, complex and sublimely unique! It's also only available here and for select wine club members...a very rare bottle. (Carl Boucher, December 2024)
Food Pairing: Fresh oysters (obviously 😊)
Drink: Now through 2028
Interesting note from the winery: The perpetual reserve system not only enables greater control over the wine’s style but also grants Benjamin Bridge a higher degree of precision in balancing its signature elements—acidity, minerality, and elegance—through blending. The reserve wines’ nuances harmonize seamlessly with the six-year lees aging process, fostering a wine with both a vibrant backbone and a sophisticated maturity. This dual process—the freshness of a multi-vintage blend with the depth of prolonged lees aging—ensures the NV Reserve stands apart as a sparkling wine of remarkable dimension, complexity, and enduring character.
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What is the Cross-Canada Wine Advent Challenge?
Advent wine calendars are popular these days, and Mira I have decided to take that concept to another level this year!
Most of the options out there are from a single winery, featuring 12 (or 6) of their own wines.
With the Cross-Canada Advent Wine Challenge, we will take you from one ocean to the other. I mean from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island, through carefully selected wines and stories.
12 wines, 12 interviews with winemakers or winery owners, plus prize draws will make for one of the most fun and engaging ways to learn about our diverse terroir...and taste it!
Taste some of the rarest GEMS we found this year, some of the highest rated wines we found, but also discover some wine regions you might never otherwise experience, like the Annapolis Valley (Nova Scotia), Prince Edward County (Ontario) or the Similkameen Valley (British Columbia).
12 wines, 12 days, 12 interviews, 12 Canadian wine destinations!
Also, as bonus, we give you access to our tasting notes archive for the month of December and $20 off your first club purchase in 2025 with the purchase of an advent calendar!
Yes, this is about discovering world class Canadian wine...but it's also an experience!
Each wine arrives to you gift wrapped and labelled with the date to open.
We will unveil one wine per day starting December 13th, with a live show and interview starting at 5pm PT / 8pm ET each evening for 12 nights.
We also have the option to get six of the bottles...in this case you'd just open one every second evening.
And YES you can join in on the fun by stopping by our live shows each evening starting December 13th, regardless of whether you purchase an advent calendar or not.
Thank you for supporting world class Canadian wineries and the club this holiday season!
Cheers,
Carl & Mira
* prices include taxes & deposits
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of wines will be in the Advent calendars?
We taste over 1200 Canadian wines per year and we will include a mix of some of our favourite wines discovered this last year:
- a mix of reds, whites, plus at least one rose and bubbly
- all wines are rated 90 or more points
- some of our highest rated wines and top value wines
- wines that tell the story of their wine region!
- some of these wines are sold out or not available anywhere else...
What size bottles will I receive?
All bottles included in the Advent Calendars are 750ml (standard wine bottles).
How does shipping work?
For our Advent Calendars, we ask that you reserve your pack by November 17, and you can expect to receive your pack between November 25-December 6.
Yes, we can time the delivery around your travel schedule - just let us know in the order comments or send us a quick note.
Shipping is available to Canadian locations only.
Shipping is usually completed by Courier, however Canada Post is used for rural or remote locations. If you have a specific preference, please do let us know.
You will receive a tracking number once your wines are on the road to you. We will keep an eye on your delivery also, to make sure it gets to you smoothly.
Someone over the legal drinking age must be present at the time of delivery and provide ID to the delivery driver (this is a legal requirement). Please do your best to ensure that an adult is available to receive the order on the anticipated delivery date. Couriers will attempt to re-deliver if not, or provide a nearby pick up location for your convenience.
Is the order page secure?
Yes, absolutely! We use a secure website and order page, with all credit card information processed by a PCI-compliant payment processor and bank-grade SSL encryption of your data.
What if there is a problem with my order?
Both Carl's Wine Club and the featured wineries will be more than happy to assist you and ensure that we find a suitable solution! Please us at carl@carlswineclub.com or 587-899-8249. Thank you!
What is VIP and VIP Unlimited?
By completing your first order in Carl's Wine Club, you will be invited to be a VIP member.
You will receive access to our VIP Facebook Group and be the first to know about exclusive collector opportunities.
You can also upgrade to our VIP Unlimited membership and get free shipping on all orders (of 6+ wines from a single winery) and many more perks! Click here to learn more about VIP Membership Upgrades.
Not yet a member of Carl's Wine Club? Join for FREE to discover Canada's world class wines with no subscriptions or commitments.
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