Background: a grand stone-vaulted wine cellar with gothic arches, a long dining table set with crystal wine glasses, decanters, and candelabras, oak barrels and bottle racks lining the walls, evoking Opimian's 50-year heritage and its role connecting members to the world's finest wines
About Opimian

A Not-for-Profit Wine Club, Since 1973

For over 50 years, Opimian has connected Canadian members to exclusive wines, the people who make them, and the places they come from, all curated by our team of Masters of Wine.

Join the Wine Club Read Our Story

50+ years of discovery  ·  250,000+ Canadians served since 1973  ·  Not-for-profit wine club

Our Story

Born Over a Hockey Game in Montreal, 1972

In September 1972, three friends, Simon Stracey, John Sambrook and Peter Keith, met for lunch at Friday's restaurant in Montreal to watch the final game of the Canada-Russia Summit Series. Keith had just returned from England, where he had been a member of the André Simon Wine Club. Over that lunch, an idea took shape: Canadians deserved better wine than the provincial liquor boards were importing, and the way to get it was to build a wine club of their own.

By November the name had been chosen and incorporation papers were filed in Quebec. In January 1973, the Opimian Wine Club was formally incorporated as Canada's first not-for-profit wine club, with Ken Christie engaged as consultant in London to source wines directly from European producers. The first Cellar Plan went out that March, offering members wines from Trilles in the Midi and du Müller in Tarragona at $1.75 to $2.67 a bottle. By year-end the Wine Club had 137 members.

Five decades later we're still doing the same thing, importing directly from independent winemakers, guided by the producer relationships that began with Ken Christie in 1972, and powered by thousands of members across Canada. We care for our members the way we care for family: with an extra glass always on hand.

A 1970s Montreal restaurant table set for lunch with three wine glasses, an open bottle of red wine, and a vintage television broadcasting a hockey game in the background, evoking the moment Opimian was founded in September 1972
Our Journey

Five Decades of Wine Discovery

From a small group of Canadian wine enthusiasts to a national wine club that has served over 250,000 Canadians, a short history of how we got here.

  1. Founded in Montreal

    Simon Stracey, John Sambrook and Peter Keith launch Canada's first not-for-profit wine club. Incorporated January 1973; the member newsletter Tidings goes out the same year.

  2. First Grand Wine Tour

    Members travel to Burgundy, the Rhône and the Midi, launching a tradition of member trips to the world's great wine regions.

  3. A National Wine Club

    Chapters in every region from BC to the Maritimes; membership reaches 11,000 and members invest in the Opimian California Vineyards Corporation.

  4. Fifty Years On

    Still member-owned, still not-for-profit, importing direct from independent producers in 120+ wine regions. Hall of Fame since 2002.

Our Mission

Connecting Members to the Fascinating World of Wine

To exclusively connect our members to unique wines, producers, services and experiences around the world, bolstering education, appreciation, and discovery of wine.

  • Connect
  • Curate
  • Educate
  • Discover
By the Numbers

Fifty Years of Wine Discovery

Numbers tell part of the story, the rest lives in the bottles, the producers, and the members who make this wine club what it is.

1973
Year Founded
250,000+
Canadians Served Since 1973
120+
Wine Regions Explored
100+
Independent Producers
How We're Structured

A Wine Club, Not a Wine Retailer

Opimian is a not-for-profit wine club owned by its members. That structure shapes every decision, from how wines are sourced to how the experience is built. There are no shareholders to pay back. The wine club works for its members and only for its members. Read our bylaws and governance documents for the full picture.

Member-Owned

A not-for-profit wine club directed by its members and the elected board, not by outside owners or investors. See our latest AGM materials.

Masters of Wine-Led

Wines are selected by Masters of Wine, one of the highest distinctions in the international wine world.

Direct from Producers

Sourced from over 100 independent winemakers worldwide, wines you won't find in Canadian liquor stores. See why Opimian is different.

FAQ

About the Wine Club

A few of the questions we hear most often about how Opimian works and what makes it different.

What does "not-for-profit wine club" actually mean?
Opimian is structured as a not-for-profit wine club owned by its members. Any surplus goes back into sourcing, education, and member experience, not to outside shareholders. An elected board of member volunteers oversees governance.
How is Opimian different from an online wine retailer?
Retailers sell whatever is broadly available in their market. Opimian is a members-only wine club that sources directly from independent producers, bringing wines to Canada that don't reach liquor store shelves. Curation is led by our team of Masters of Wine. See the full comparison.
Do I have to be a member to buy wines?
Yes. Opimian's wines are reserved for members of the Wine Club. Membership is what makes the sourcing model, and the pricing, possible. Compare membership options.
Where can I see the Wine Club's governance documents?
Bylaws, policies, and AGM materials are available in the Governance Documents and AGM & Reports sections of the About Us pages.
Who are the Masters of Wine behind Opimian's selections?
Our curation team includes some of the world's most respected Masters of Wine. Meet them on the Opimian Team page.
Contact Member Services → Become a Member →

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