The Opimian Society Information

The Opimian Society was founded in 1973 and is Canada's largest wine club. Since this time we have lead the way in bringing exciting new wines into Canada. As Opimian has grown it has played a monumental role in developing the wine trade in Canada. Today we offer more than 350 wines into all parts of Canada as its largest and only significant non-profit wine-buying cooperative. First things first, what is Opimian and how did it all begin ... What's in a name? The Society was named after Lucius Opimius, consul of Rome from 121 BC, during whose term of office the finest vintage of the Roman Empire is reputed to have been made. How do we operate? The Opimian Society operates as a wine purchasing cooperative and all members benefit from the nationwide purchasing power of our Society regardless of province of residence. Furthermore, at the successful conclusion of each offering, participating members receive a pro rata distribution of what, in a commercial company, would be the residual profit. Our head office is located in Montreal where all administration and running operations take place. We have 25 area secretaries across the country, who on a volunteer basis organize wine tasting events and serve as liaison with members in their area. What's our aim? Our aim is to deliver wine to you with the minimum possible intervention between the winemaker and your cellar. The wines you receive are always as young, fresh and in the best condition as is possible under the current Canadian system of liquor board monopoly control. To do better would require eliminating this unwieldy system of government controlled distribution and with the strength and political clout of a large membership base, a change of this magnitude could come closer to becoming reality. Our ultimate goal is to function in a world of privatized liquor distribution, where we can shape and control our own destiny. We ask you therefore to join the Opimian Society not only for the pleasure of current benefits but to add your weight to the growing movement to remove government monopoly and prejudice from our daily lives.