5 Reasons Why You Should Buy BC Wine On-line

Living life in splendid self–isolation but running low on critical supplies—such as BC WINE? Fear not! Wineries from Kelowna to the Cowichan and Creston are sharpening their pencils and their shipping game. 

The point being: there’s no reason to go out and risk getting infected or possibly infecting others. You can do the whole thing on–line or by phone. Live close to a winery? Call ahead to check and it’s likely they’ll just load it into your trunk.

Even though wineries have had to suspend tasting, there’s still plenty going on behind the scenes. Most have made special arrangements to accommodate their BC wine clubs. So, if you haven’t already joined one (or two, or three), now would be a good time.

Here’s why to buy on–line… 

1. You’re out

Not even a drop. Empty Cellar Syndrome. We have it on good authority that this is the Number One reason that motivates most people to buy wine. But first you need to apportion blame where blame is due. Is it possible that someone else polished off that half bottle of Tantalus Pinot you were saving? Probably not. After all, when was the last time you didn’t finish a bottle of wine? Be honest now. 😀 And nothing says “Feed me” like the gaping maw of your growing empties collection—which right now you can’t even cash in to buy a bottle of Lucky. No question, rapid replenishment is in order.

2.You like buying local

No time like the present to support BC wine and BC wineries. I guess I could spill out a whole bunch of numbers here, about how many gazillions of dollars our local industry contributes to the economy. But I won’t. The point is that wineries are having a tough time right now. The vine cycle doesn’t stop because of Covid-19. There are vineyards to be tended, and this year’s harvest isn’t really all that far off. Not only do wineries need cash flow, they also have to make space for the 2020 vintage. Here’s your chance to be part of the solution.

3. It’s safe

In these Covidly complex times, home delivery makes a lot of sense. It’s sweet, safe and simple, and represents the ultimate in physical distancing. Remember, however: the person delivering is just as leery of this lurgy latching onto them as you are. Give them space to put the package down and step away from the wine before you pick it up. They might even need to take your photo as a record in lieu of you having to sign. But no selfies with heroic couriers, please! #socialdistancing

4. It’s fun—surprising even

At least it can be. How about joining a BC wine club that doesn’t tell you what’s coming? You might even get to taste something you don’t know, or reconsider a variety you wouldn’t normally purchase.

Okanagan Wine Initiative

Or, change it up with a mixed case from the Okanagan Wine Initiative, a good cross section of varieties from 50th Parallel, CedarCreek, Haywire, Painted Rock, Poplar and Summerhill. $345 shipping included to your door. Order from urbanliquor.ca or 250-681-1430. Also, check out the Spring packs at Time / Evolve / McWatters (see below).

Yup. It’s good to chill out a bit in these crazy times. No time like now to groove on some Grüner or, of course, Reach for the Riesling!

5. You can help others

Charity truly does begin at home. Even in these challenging times, the hospitality industry continues to show its true colours. Several wineries are offering purchasing incentives that also support worthy causes.

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery is giving partial proceeds from their sales to the BCHF (British Columbia Hospitality Foundation). For every order (minimum four bottles) they’ll donate $10 to BCHF—and shipping is free across Canada. Use the code SUPPORT10 at checkout. Offer runs until April 17, 2020.

Rust Wine Co. is donating $5 per magnum of its 2019 Gamay Noir to BCHF. This is a BC VQA, from Similkameen and it comes in $50, 1.5 litre magnums. Last year they produced magnums of rosé, which was plain delicious. Having tasted their previous Gamay I’m sure this will be equally worthy. For those of us mathematically challenged that works out to $25 per bottle, or less for wine club members. Also, complimentary shipping on all orders of six bottles or more.

Foxtrot Vineyards is generously donating 10% of all sales to aid restaurant workers who are experiencing a threat to their livelihood as a result of the pandemic. Included is free shipping to Mainland BC and Vancouver Island. President and GM Nathan Todd says, “We are a small winery, but we want to do our part to support our loyal partners in the industry, and particularly those workers who may be laid off or see their incomes severely reduced….We also hope that other local businesses will join us in the effort to provide aid to those who need it during this crisis.” 

Corcelettes Estate Winery  will donate $1 from every bottle of wine sold in BC to the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF). (The donation applies to wines purchased in retail outlets as well as through licensees.) Plus they will ship for free your order of 12 or more bottles anywhere in Canada.

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Free delivery and more

This list is subject to change. Feel free to email me (info at hiredbelly.com) if your winery has something special to offer, or to correct this info. I will try to keep it updated.

Christa-Lee McWatters with Time Brut

Time Winery / Evolve / McWatters is offering free shipping within BC, a $25 credit for other provinces, or pick up for locals. Check out the 6 and 12 bottle Spring packs in particular for some great deals. For example the 12 bottle TIME pack (which includes two bottles of their wickedly good bubble, Time Brut) adds up to a savings of $100—plus free shipping. Shop and order here.

50th Parallel Estate Winery offers free shipping to your door on six bottle orders or more to all major cities in Canada. Enter promo code FREESHIP6 on checkout and shipping fees will be waived. Drone delivery optional ;-)

Okanagan Crush Pad Tasting room closed until May 14 (subject to change). But you can order Haywire, Free Form, and Narrative on line. Their “Stay Safe” coupon offers a $20 credit for delivery, anywhere in Canada—which in BC amounts to free shipping. Drive Through Pick Up available. Select “I prefer to pick up my order”. Included is a free bottle of OCP hand sanitizer, made onsite from their still, at pick up.

Meyer Family Vineyard – Free Shipping on orders of 12+ bottles or $300+. Orders shipped with ATS; packages with addresses only accessible by Canada Post will be delivered to nearest post office. Order online and pickup at the winery! Select “Pick up at Winery” as shipping method, then call to arrange a pickup time: 250-497-8553 ext 106.

Iconic Wineries of British Columbia—Mission Hill Family Estate,  CedarCreek Estate Winery, Road 13 Vineyards, Martin’s Lane Winery, CheckMate Artisanal Winery: Each of the Iconic Wineries is offering complimentary shipping anywhere in Canada. Of note: Free shipping applies regardless of the order size (and there are no minimum size orders).

Vanessa Vineyard Free shipping within BC on order of 12 bottles or more.

A restored early 1900s farmhouse is the centrepiece that serves as Unsworth’s restaurant

On the Island, Unsworth Vineyards offers Wine Club members 10% discount on all purchases from the online store. Case orders: free shipping to Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland; 50% discounted shipping to the rest of Canada. Unsworth restaurant is open 12:00-7:00, Friday-Sunday for pick-up. Check website for menu and pick up details. Online wine order pick up from tasting room 3:00-4:30 Monday-Thursday. Online wine order pick-up from restaurant 12:00-7:00 Friday-Sunday.

Blue Grouse is closed but has free delivery on orders of six bottles or more. Not to mention a 25 percent case discount on Quill White. Cases are now 25% off. Stay tuned @bluegrousewines for future specials as new releases roll out. Also just released is Quill Gamay Noir 2018. 

Priest Creek Family Estate Winery. Newly unveiled East Kelowna winery offers 15 percent discount. and complimentary delivery to your door locally with 2 or more bottles or 6 or more for distance deliveries.

Upper Bench Winery & Creamery is offering free shipment anywhere in BC on any quantity of wine and or cheese.

Hillside Winery is offering complimentary shipping across Canada on minimum of 6 bottles, or on orders of multiples of 6. (i.e. 6, 12, 18, 24)

Da Silva Vineyards & Winery is offering 10% all wines plus free shipping on any orders of 6 bottles or more. Also free shipping on any new wine club members in addition to their 15% off on wines.

Elephant Island Winery has generously extended their staff and family discount to everyone, as well as giving 50% off shipping.

Quails’ Gate is offering free shipping for on-line orders of 6 or more bottles, plus curb side pickup at the winery for those close-by. Old Vines Restaurant is offering a take-out menu using farm to table ingredients from its numerous local farmers and suppliers.

Singletree Winery is offering FREE shipping to BC residents. Abbotsford: open for pick-up Wed-Sun 12-5:30 pm. Phone orders (604-381-1788) taken to customer’s car.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Free shipping on all wine orders from across Canada for six or more bottles. Create an account and get 10% off for the next purchase.The Hunker Down Wine-Care Package offers a selection of feel-good wines at a special, discounted price. The wine shop is still open for purchases, pickup of food and wine. On arrival, call 250-764-8000 ext 130, and they will gladly bring the order to your car. Summerhill is also donating $1 for every bottle sold at BC retail locations to BC Hospitality Foundation, through April 30th.

Little Farm Winery offers free shipping with orders of 12 or more bottles and $10 shipping for 6-packs.

VinAmité Cellars is offering their Hibernation Pack, 6 bottles (Chanson d’Amour, Viognier, Rosé, Gamay, Merlot and Compass) $165, taxes and ATS shipping to your door all included. Complimentary wine jelly and truffle salt with orders of 6 bottles or more. For a chance to win a magnun of Compass post your #vinAmité photos to social media and tag @vinamitecellars.

Winemakers Cut offers free shipping on any order of 4 bottles and more. Offer is valid until the BC state of emergency is over.

Painted Rock Winery will offer free shipping on any online order of 12 bottles or more. You can mix ‘n match any available wines. Use promo code FreeShip20 at check out.

Poplar Grove Winery Socially distanced tasting room open only for wine counter sales and pick-ups. Wines also shipped direct. If you are in Penticton, Summerland or Naramata they will personally deliver to your door. The Restaurant at Poplar Grove is closed but offering Take Out. Check menu on website. Orders for food and wine can be placed here. Monster Vineyards wines may be purchased from the Poplar Grove Tasting Room. Order online at Monster Vineyards. Free shipping to BC and AB on all Monster orders of 12 or more bottles.

Clos du Soleil is offering free shipping on ALL orders as well as a 10% case discount on orders of 6 or more bottles. No coupon code required, discount applied automatically at checkout.

Naramata Bench

In addition to those shown, links to all Naramata wineries may be found here.

Oliver Osoyoos

Here is a snapshot of wineries in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country that are offering complimentary shipping and other benefits. A full list can be found online at www.oliverosoyoos.com.

Fairview Cellars Bill Eggert (above) is happy to offer 50% off delivery charges on orders of 6 bottles or more. Order info and other details are in the link,

Bartier Bros. Free shipping on all orders whether you’re a wine club member or not. However, wine club subscribers get 10% off all orders. Use Code FREESHIPPING at checkout.

Culmina Family Estate Winery: complimentary shipping on all Culmina and Number Series wines for orders of six bottles or more. It’s a great opportunity to purchase the last reminding stocks of some of Culmina’s most sought-after wines, including: 2018 Saignée, 2018 Unicus and 2014 Cabernet Franc.

Hester Creek Estate Winery Order online for free delivery across Canada with a 6 bottle minimum order (no code required). Carry-out and curbside wine pick up at the winery along with free local delivery (no minimum) for phone orders.



Kismet Estate Winery: complimentary shipping on six bottles or more, plus an additional 10% off both 2018 Pinot Grigio and 2018 Lotus Rosé.

Lariana Cellars: complimentary shipping on four bottles or more including their notable red blends, Fifteen and Sixteen and 2018 Viognier.

Squeezed Wines: Home Care Package for $125 including shipping. Twelve wines including 2016 Gewürztraminer, 2011 Merlot and 2018 Rose.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards: complimentary shipping on six bottles or more until April 5th. For residents of the region, onsite restaurant, Miradoro, is offering a daily “Fresh Sheet” take out menu featuring salad of local organic beets, a choice of Neapolitan pizzas, orecchiette with lamb belly and brussel sprouts and delicious desserts, including their legendary Tiramisu.

Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Nk’mip, Inniskillin & Jackson Triggs Curbside pick up from these locations 11:00am-4:00pm everyday. Customers may order at www.greatestatesokanagan.com

See Ya Later Ranch & Great Estates Okanagan Wine Experience Centre Curb side pick up by appointment only. Customers may order at www.greatestatesokanagan.com

This list is subject to change. Feel free to email me (info at hiredbelly.com) if your winery has something special to offer, or to correct this info. I will try to keep it updated.

You can also find these and a whole lot more over at Vitis