Great Estates Niagara vs. Wine Club Canada Compared
Ontario is home to Canada's largest wine region, so there's no shortage of wine subscriptions in Ontario built around the Niagara Escarpment. Two clubs stand out from the rest: Wine Club Canada and Great Estates Niagara Wine Club.
Both give you access to good wine, but the perks work differently depending on what you're after. Here's how Great Estates Niagara Wine Club and Wine Club Canada actually compare, so you can pick the one that fits how you drink.
This matchup is one of several we've written up. If you're surveying the whole field, start with our guide to the best wine clubs in Canada.
Wine Club Canada: Overview
Wine Club Canada is the country's premier wine club membership. It provides unbarred access to each of Canada's wine regions, spanning across Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. What's more, Wine Club Canada's team of professional wine experts work intimately with local producers to provide exclusive access to VQA wines online not available in provincial liquor stores.
This way, they can ensure club members will enjoy new and exciting bottles with each monthly delivery, which can be tailored to each member's specific tastes and shipped anywhere in Canada.
Great Estates Niagara Wine Club: Overview
The Great Estates Niagara Wine Club is another fantastic option for exploring local Ontario wines. Owned and operated by Arterra Wines, this wine club offers a variety of subscription boxes featuring selections from its own winery brands in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Beamsville Bench, and Prince Edward County and will ship to select areas in Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
Despite hosting a more limited variety of featured wineries, the Great Estates Wine Club does offer a variety of added perks that make it a good option for those planning a visit to Ontario's wine regions.
Key Comparisons
Wine Selection
When it comes to a diverse wine selection, Wine Club Canada is simply too hard to beat. Each month, its team of professional wine experts works with a new boutique supplier from across Canada to connect you with bottles that are unavailable at local liquor stores. This guarantees new vintages with every delivery and access to some of the best wines in the country, no matter where you may be.
The Great Estates Niagara Wine Club, on the other hand, features only wines from its owned brands. These include Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Sandbanks, Kew Vineyards, and Domaine Le Clos Jordanne. And while each of these produces fantastic varietals, they are also all available at LCBO and can become repetitive after a few deliveries.
Winner: Wine Club Canada
Membership Perks
While Wine Club Canada may have the better wine selection, Great Estates Niagara has the edge when it comes to additional perks. By owning its featured wineries, the club is able to offer exclusive benefits that include:
- Three free tastings at participating estate wineries per month.
- Exclusive access to members-only events.
- 15% discounts on winery-exclusive wines.
- 20% discounts on non-wine merchandise at owned retail stores.
- 20% discount on wine and food experiences at owned restaurants.
Considering most of these require you to be onsite to claim, these added perks make the Great Estates Wine Club a fantastic choice for those living or visiting the Niagara wine region but don't add much value for other members. Still, they are nice perks to have.
Winner: Great Estates Niagara
Flexibility
Both clubs offer customizable membership options, including red, white, and mixed wine subscription baskets. But, when it comes to flexibility, Wine Club Canada has a slight edge.
For starters, it offers its monthly deliveries in several quantities, including two-, three-, six-, or twelve-bottle packages. Great Estates Niagara's clubs are built around two-bottle and four-bottle shipments, with an "8 Below Zero" membership that features two bottles of ice wine per delivery.
Great Estates Niagara also features a more limited delivery area. All shipments are currently restricted to Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Wine Club Canada, however, ships anywhere in the country and will even work with members to deliver to more remote regions.
Finally, Wine Club Canada makes it easier for subscribers to manage their memberships. Pauses, changes, or cancellations require 10 days' notice before boxes are shipped out on the 15th of each month and are all managed online. Great Estates Niagara requires a 30-day notice, which is only processed with the return of your membership card. This means you may be charged an extra month should there be a delay in the post.
Winner: Wine Club Canada
Pricing
Great Estates Niagara is the cheaper club, and we'd rather say so than dress it up. Its packages start at around $50 for a two-bottle monthly shipment, which adds a $9.99 flat-rate shipping charge, and its four-bottle monthly plans ship free. Wine Club Canada's subscriptions start at $90 for two-bottle deliveries, with taxes included and shipping calculated at checkout.
What you get for the difference is access. Every Great Estate winery can be found at the LCBO, often at prices cheaper than the club charges. With Wine Club Canada, you are paying for bottles from small Canadian producers you can't buy off a provincial shelf, and a different winery every month. If entry price is the deciding factor, Great Estates wins it outright.
Winner: Great Estates Niagara
Advantages of Wine Club Canada
Both Wine Club Canada and Great Estates Niagara have their benefits. But when it comes to traditional wine of the month subscriptions, Wine Club Canada is superior with a few key advantages:
- Access to Canada's best wines specially selected by professional wine experts.
- Exclusive selections not available in local liquor stores with tailored tasting notes.
- New wineries are featured monthly for new and exciting wine samplings at home.
- Nationwide shipping, to every province rather than a short list, makes it accessible to all Canadians.
- Flexible membership options to fit any budget or taste preferences.
Who Should Choose Great Estates Niagara Wine Club?
Great Estates Niagara Wine Club's advantages are found in its entry price and its membership perks. As such, it is the better option for members looking to make a physical trip to the Niagara region, with onsite discounts and complimentary services offered within its subscriptions. You should consider a Great Estates Niagara Wine Club membership if you are:
- Planning a trip to the Niagara region.
- Prefer home deliveries of familiar wines.
- Live in the area and want exclusive access to member-only events.
- Working to a tighter monthly budget.
Which is the Best Monthly Wine Club in Ontario: The Final Verdict
While Great Estates Niagara caters to a local audience with onsite benefits, perks and a lower entry price, Wine Club Canada is our pick for the best wine of the month club in Ontario if discovery is what you're after. Its nationwide shipping options, flexible membership plans, and access to exclusive wineries across the country make it the way to explore Canadian wine regions, all from the comforts of your home.
Explore Wine Club Canada's monthly wine subscription options and begin sampling your way through the country's top vintages.
