Barrel Hunter Club: Redefining Inclusive and Exclusive Wine & Spirits Experiences
New to Canada’s wine and spirits scene in 2024, Barrel Hunter Club is looking to reshape the current vision for member’s clubs in the category. By offering unparalleled access to both curated collections and extraordinary experiences, the club is aiming to foster an inclusive community that welcomes everyone, particularly empowered women and members of the LGBTQ+ community — both groups that have traditionally been overlooked in the category.
Led by David Racicot, Co-Founder and CEO as well as Curator in Chief and Master Sommelier, John Szabo MS, club members will have the opportunity to enjoy quarterly collection launches over the course of the year, tied to a variety of international cultural themes. Both Racicot and Szabo have noticed a strong desire amongst wine and spirits aficionados for more experientially driven events and activities, and have placed this idea of shared experiences at the heart of plans for the Barrel Hunter Club.
The four upcoming launches planned will be Gaudi (Spain), Manga (Japan), Frida Khalo (Mexican Tequila), and The Burgundy Icons Collection (France), and further global exploration is expected to follow. These collections are curated by renowned guest experts, ensuring a steady stream of rare and exciting discoveries at every turn.
These collection launch events are only a part of the Barrel Hunter Club experience, mind you. From private Sommelier Masterclasses, where members can host exclusive wine and spirits tastings in their homes or offices, to intimate and immersive collection launch parties where members can come together to discover new releases, BHC curates every detail. For those who seek deeper engagement, BHC also offers VIP access to behind-the-scenes producer tours at world-class vineyards and distilleries. Travel with fellow members to legendary estates, and meet the producers behind the world’s finest wines and spirits, all while enjoying bespoke wine and gastronomic adventures.
The club focuses on offering enriching experiences designed for the modern epicurean, as well as the epicurious, in an inclusive space where members from diverse backgrounds can come together to explore the rich tapestry of wine and spirits cultures. It’s a sanctuary where members can delve deep into the art of flavour, appreciating the craftsmanship behind every bottle while building connections with fellow enthusiasts.
From the start, Barrel Hunter Club has been committed to creating a space that reflects the growing demand among women and the LGBTQ+ community for exclusive wine and spirits experiences. Despite the increasing demand and purchasing power of these groups, the wine and spirits industry remains largely dominated by traditional, conservative circles. Barrel Hunter Club is addressing this gap by creating a space where these underrepresented groups can enjoy and explore in a welcoming and luxurious environment. This is not just about enjoying a product—it’s about building a vibrant community where individuals who are passionate about wine, spirits, food, and exploration can connect and share their experiences; a community that is open, adventurous, and driven by a shared passion for quality and authenticity.
On top of the experiential and social aspect of the club, those looking to expand their personal collections will also gain access to the Barrel Hunter Club’s exclusive online store, stocked with rare wines, artisanal spirits, and gourmet products. Members enjoy white-glove home delivery services in as little as five business days, making it easier than ever to enjoy the finest products from around the world.
All told, the membership offering here is an impressive one, and one that fills a long-standing gap in the industry. Between the level of exclusive access to rare wines and spirits, the educational component of each experience, and the community building that celebrates diversity and fosters connections between passionate wine and spirits enthusiasts, we’re eager to see what comes next from Canada’s latest wine & spirits club.
Learn more about the Barrel Hunter Club here.
