The Pan-Canadian TWELVE Bottle Pack
The Pan-Canadian TWELVE Bottle Pack
Receive TWELVE wines rated 92 points or more that showcase Canada's wines from Coast to Coast! Taste through each wine region we've highlighted across Canada, with one of the best wines from that region.
$649 including tax, deposits & shipping
Stop #1: Benjamin Bridge, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia
Just 150 kms from the Bay of Fundy, the Gaspereau Valley lends an incredibly unique saline and seashell minerality to it’s wines.
About Benjamin Bridge: In 1999, Gerry McConnell and Dara Gordon started the winery with a dream of crafting top-notch wines sustainably, and their dream is continued to this day by their daughters, Ashley and Devon. In just twenty years, Benjamin Bridge has become synonymous with world class sparkling wine, and their wines grace Michelin star tables throughout the world.
About Jean-Benoit Deslauriers: Jean-Benoit is Benjamin Bridge’s lead winemaker since 2008, and brings over two decades of winemaking experience, including winemaking in California and South America and a specialization in organic and biodynamic viticulture.
Non-Vintage, Brut “Méthode Classique” | 55% L’Acadie Blanc, 45% Chardonnay | 92pts Carl’s Wine Club | $30.50
Stop #2: Black Market Wine Co.
Kaleden, BC
A hidden gem for grape growing just outside of Penticton, Kaleden has gained enough attention to be exploring their own sub-GI. Strengths include high elevation and proximity to Skaha lake.
About Black Market Wine Co: For many years while still living in Calgary, Rob and Michelle would travel to the Okanagan in search of the small boutique wines that weren’t available in the Alberta market. Inevitably, they would fill their car with cases and cases of amazing wines…and “smuggle” them back across the border to share with family and friends. They became known as the Wine Black Marketeers, so when they set up their own winery, choosing the name was easy!
About Rob Hammersley: Rob Hammersley is the owner, winemaker and viticulturist at Black Market. His goal is to create small batch, hand crafted wines made from Kaleden grapes or from selected partners in the south Okanagan.
“Zippy and energetic, this Pinot Blanc is a great combination of softness and precision… highlighting a creamy texture and feisty personality.” - Carl Boucher
2022 “Estate Series” Pinot Blanc | 100% Pinot Blanc | Okanagan Valley VQA, BC | 92pts Carl’s Wine Club | $32.20
Stop #3: Da Silva Vineyards & Winery
Penticton, BC
One of the first sub-GI’s in BC, the Naramata Bench runs alongside the largest body of water in the region, Okanagan Lake, and is home to more than 40 wineries in a small vicinity.
About Da Silva Vineyards & Winery: After arriving from Portugal in the 1950’s, the Da Silva family purchased their first piece of land on the Naramata Bench in 1959. With a deep knowledge of farming and viticulture throughout the Okanagan, Richard & Twylla Da Silva continue the family legacy with respect to the land and people of the region. The winery also has an outstanding tapas restaurant on site, The Kitchen at Da Silva, led by chef Abul Adame.
About Richard Da Silva: Not many people know the lay of the land of the Okanagan valley more than Richard Da Silva, as a third generation farmer and winemaker in the Okanagan. His focus on cultivating a ‘sense of a place’ is evident in all his wines.
“Bright, fleshy, with great mouthfeel and lively minerality. A fantastic expression of the Hidden Hollow Vineyard on the Naramata Bench.” - Carl Boucher
2023 “Hidden Hollow Vineyard” Fumé Blanc | 100% Sauvignon Blanc | Naramata Bench VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC | 92+pts Carl’s Wine Club | $39.10
Stop #4: Closson Chase Vineyards
Hillier, ON
A few hours east of Toronto, Prince Edward County was defined as a VQA appellation in 2007. Known for excellent cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, PEC boasts limestone bedrock and stony soils leading to concentrated fruit.
About Closson Chase Vineyards: In 1998, Closson Chase Vineyards was born. The first commercial vintage was harvested in 2004, produced out of a century-old dairy barn originally owned by the Closson family and lovingly restored as the new winemaking facility. From then on, Closson Chase has been at the forefront of the Prince Edward County wine industry, producing award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
About WINEMAKER: Keith joined the vineyard team at Closson Chase in 2003 and took the reins as head winemaker in 2015. Keith’s ethos is to capture what Mother Nature grows in a bottle, to create the truest possible expression of terroir.
“This is an absolute home run…and so purely Chardonnay, in every sense of the word. Well balanced, expressive, complex and concentrated.” - Carl Boucher
2021 “Churchside Vineyard” Chardonnay | 100% Chardonnay | Prince Edward County VQA, ON | 93pts Carl’s Wine Club | $35
Stop #5: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
Jordan, ON
Erosion from the several streams that cross the Vinemount Ridge appellation have produced a gentle, undulating landscape with many shallow east- and south-facing slopes, unique within the Niagara Peninsula. This sub-appellation delivers fantastic Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
About Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery combines the Staff family’s 125 years of grape growing experience (including two Grape King titles), and Sue-Ann’s internationally acclaimed wine making. The winery is open year-round, hosting visitors from around the world for wine tastings, as well as spectacular weddings and private events. No visit to the winery is complete without a visit with Brix Bravo, Sue-Ann’s Bernese Mountain Dog, mascot and Director of Barketing.
About Sue-Ann Staff: Winemaking has been a life-long ambition of Sue-Ann’s, stemming from a family background in viticulture spanning five generations in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Sue-Ann has become one of Canada’s top winemakers with over 450 national and international wine awards.
“The precision and definition of flavours in this wine is absolutely remarkable, reaching a near perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.” - Carl Boucher
2019 “Robert’s Block” Riesling | 100% Riesling | Vinemount Ridge VQA, Niagara Escarpment, ON | 94pts Carl’s Wine Club | $26.95
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Stop #6: Unsworth Vineyards
Mill Bay, BC
Labelled “Canada’s Provence” by the late, distinguished foodie, James Barber, the Cowichan Valley is a special corner of the world. This emerging wine region is known for a fertile trifecta of warm growing conditions, rich soil, and abundant rolling hills.
About Unsworth Vineyards: Having grown up watching Cowichan Valley’s homespun wine and food culture evolve, Tim Turyk’s ears perked up when he heard about a small vineyard and winery that was for sale in the fall of 2009. Unsworth continues as a family-built winery with Tim’s son Chris working at the winery and a focus on crafting world class wine and pairing it with great food at their on-site restaurant.
About Dan Wright: A transplant from Ontario and graduate of the University of Guelph and Brock University's Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute, Dan worked as a winemaker throughout the world prior to falling in love with the Cowichan Valley.
“Soft, creamy and earthy, showing great length and complexity. This wine exudes the tremendous potential of the Cowichan Valley, the Mecca of grape growing of Vancouver Island.” - Carl Boucher
2022 “Cowichan Valley” Pinot Noir | 100% Pinot Noir | Cowichan Valley VQA, Vancouver Island, BC | 92pts Carl’s Wine Club | $44.74
Stop #7 / Intermission: Bottega Wine Studio
Cawston, BC
This rosé takes us to Summerland, BC, to an iconic 1¼ acre of Pinot Noir close to Okanagan Lake. Summerland has recently received three sub-GI distinctions, showing the diversity of terroir in the Central Okanagan.
About Bottega Wine Studio: In 2019, Daniel and Kristine purchased their own vineyard and winery in Cawston, BC. The newly opened tasting room focuses on purpose-built rose, as well as small-batch wines.
About Daniel Bontorin: Daniel has been making wine since 2005 and is well known as the 'rosé guy' in BC and beyond. The attention to detail that is paid to every aspect of of Daniel’s 'purpose built' rosés is astounding and it shows. He has made over 60 rosés in the last 20 years!
“Another year, another masterful delivery from Daniel Bontorin. Bolder and richer, this year’s Tractor & Vines Rosé delivers a riper expression of Pinot Noir with the usual saline component.” - Carl Boucher
2023 Seven Directions “Tractor & Vines” Rosé | 100% Pinot Noir | Okanagan Valley VQA, BC | 93pts Carl’s Wine Club | $36.80
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Stop #8: Leaning Post Wines
Stoney Creek, Ontario
The Lincoln Lakeshore has an especially long and temperate growing season and mild winter climate owing to the moderating effect of Lake Ontario.
About Leaning Post: Leaning Post started in 2009 as a virtual winery, and Nadia and Ilya Senchuk purchased their first vineyard and winery site in 2011. Featured in top restaurants in Toronto, Montreal, London (UK), and Copenhagen, Leaning Post epitomizes small-scale, artisanal winemaking with minimal intervention, allowing the land to fully show itself in glass.
About Ilya Senchuk: Ilya has spent over 20 years making wine and exploring terroir in Niagara, and now focuses on varietal specific, single vineyard winemaking.
“This is an absolute BOMB…despite the full body delivery, this Pinot Noir has maintained a fresh acidity which fares very well for cellaring in the long term!” - Carl Boucher
2020 “Senchuk Vineyard” Pinot Noir | 100% Pinot Noir | Lincoln Lakeshore VQA, Niagara Escarpment, ON | 94pts Carl’s Wine Club | $75
Stop #9: Vineland Estates Winery
Vineland, ON
The Twenty Mile Bench has fantastic air circulation due to its position on the Niagara Escarpment. The elevation and the complexity of its soil provide stunning wines with minerality and complexity.
About Vineland Estates: Vineland has a rich history and is one of the first wineries in Ontario, and also houses one of the first winery restaurants. Their 180 acre vineyards are planted to world renowned Cabernet Franc, expressive Riesling, rare Pinot Meunier and memorable Chardonnay.
About Brian Schmidt: Brian celebrates over 30 years of devotion to Vineland’s vineyards as head winemaker. Brian has also served as Board Chair of VQA Ontario and a number of other key roles in the Ontario wine industry.
“Remember, this is the 2020 vintage, a big and bold representation of the Twenty Mile Bench. The structure is outstanding yet already soft and approachable.” - Carl Boucher
2020 “Bo-Teek Vineyard” Clone 327 Cabernet Franc | 100% Cabernet Franc | Twenty Mile Bench VQA, Niagara Escarpment, ON | 92pts Carl’s Wine Club | $40
Stop #10: Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery
West Kelowna, BC
Our next wine takes us to the Okanagan Falls sub-GI, a unique winemaking region that stretches from the shores of Skaha Lake to the tip of Vaseux Lake.
About Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery: First started as a grape growing business in 1968, Mt. Boucherie soon became one of the largest vineyard holdings in BC, farming 200 acres of land in both the Similkameen and Okanagan Valleys. In 2020, following 20 years of running from a modest tasting room, they opened the doors to a brand-new luxurious wine experience center in West Kelowna.
About Jeff Hundertmark: An award-winning winemaker and sommelier, Jeff relocated to B.C. in 2017 after an illustrious career in Ontario, including Marynissen Estate Winery and Stoney Ridge Estate Winery, where he was able to produce Estate wines as well as the successful celebrity brand for the Tragically Hip and his own label 100Marks.
“From the Lost Horn Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, this red blend of Cab Franc/Merlot is a quintessential representation of purity, complexity and just plain AWESOMENESS !!! Soooo good!” - Carl Boucher
2020 Mt. Boucherie Original Vines Cabernet Franc-Merlot | 56% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot | Okanagan Valley, VQA Okanagan Falls | 94+pts Carl’s Wine Club | $80.49
Stop #11: Painted Rock Estate Winery
Penticton, BC
The Skaha Bench is a west-facing slope to Skaha Lake, stretching about 10 kilometers from the southern outskirts of Penticton. Layers of glacial deposits and volcanic ash lend complexity to the wines while the location is perfectly suited for many grape varietals.
About Painted Rock Estate Winery: In 2004 John and Trish Skinner purchased the renowned 56 acre "BlackHawk" property on Skaha Lake in Penticton. Renamed for the 500 year old pictographs bordering the property, Painted Rock has gone on to win countless awards for their estate-only wines, led by winemaking consultant Alain Sutre and winemaker Gabriel Reis.
About John Skinner: John was a stockbroker in Vancouver for more than 25 years, during which time he became an avid wine enthusiast with a dream to start his own winery. John has remained passionately involved in every aspect of the winery since it’s first release in late 2009. John also works tirelessly to help build the international profile and brand awareness of Canadian wines.
“A spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon from a special terroir overlooking the lake on the Skaha Bench. The 2021 seems to have an extra dimension of textural intensity - it's an intensity that is hugely appealing.”
- Carl Boucher
2021 Painted Rock Cabernet Sauvignon | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon | BC, Okanagan Valley, VQA Skaha Bench | 94+pts Carl’s Wine Club | $68.99
Stop #12: Bella Terra Vineyards
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
The Four Mile Creek sub-appellation is known to have higher “degree days” and provides the perfect environment to bring late-ripening varietals to maximum potential. Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot and Chardonnay shine here for the 15 or so wineries in this sub-appellation.
About Bella Terra Vineyards: Growing in Niagara since 1974, Bella Terra sits on a 50 acre vineyard which was established in 1974 by Lou Puglisi’s dad Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant. Winemaker Fred DiProfio has been working with Lou since the winery first opened to create wines that best express the complexity and high quality of grapes that their vineyards provide each vintage.
About Lou Puglisi: Lou grew up in Niagara and witnessed the rise of the wine industry as we know it today. After winning the prestigious “Grape King” of Ontario in 2008, Lou decided to build his own winery and Bella Terra (formerly known as PondView) was founded in 2010.
“This is a decadent, grandiose and opulent wine, encapsulating everything you would want from the Appassimento style… and even more!” - Carl Boucher
2020 Bella Terra Cabernet “Appassimento” | 55% Cab Franc, 45% Cab Sauv |Ontario, Niagara, VQA Four Mile Creek | 93+-95pts Carl’s Wine Club | $99.95
Winery: Carl's Wine Club