Information

Private import gives you access to wines that are not sold through the SAQ’s regular retail network. These wines are selected and represented in Quebec by agencies such as Bambara Sélection, while the SAQ remains the official importer.

It’s also a way to explore a broader selection: estates we’ve worked with for years, small-production cuvées, lesser-known appellations and new winemakers we’re excited to introduce to Quebec.

And contrary to what you might think, private import isn’t just for restaurants and wine professionals. It’s open to everyone, and individual customers can order our available wines directly.

Who does what?

Bambara Sélection works directly with winemakers and producers, handling the selection, representation and marketing of their wines in Quebec. The SAQ remains the official importer, handling the importation, warehousing and distribution of the wines to your selected store.

We work closely with the SAQ to make wines available in Quebec that aren’t offered through its regular retail network.

Choose your wines

All of our private import wines currently available for purchase can be found in our online shop. The price per bottle, case size and available quantities are listed on each product page.

Order by the case

Private import wines are sold by the case, generally in 6- or 12-bottle formats depending on the wine. The case size is always indicated on the product page before you order.

Place your order online

Add the cases you’d like to your cart and place your order directly through our website. The price shown per bottle includes agency fees and taxes.

Payment is made in two steps

When you place your order on our website, you pay the agency fees, which are already included in the displayed bottle price. The remaining balance is paid directly to the SAQ when you pick up your wines.

Delivery to your preferred SAQ store

Your order is delivered to the participating SAQ store of your choice. Some locations do not offer delivery for private import orders.

You’ll receive a confirmation once your wines are ready for pickup.

In both cases, the wines are selected and represented by Bambara Sélection. The main difference is how they are distributed.

Our wines at the SAQ are sold by the bottle, in stores or on SAQ.com depending on availability. Private import wines are not sold through the SAQ’s regular retail network and are generally sold by the case.

Looking to buy by the bottle? Explore our current selection at the SAQ.

Most of our wines come from small, independent estates, and quantities available in Quebec can be limited. A sold-out wine may return with a future shipment or a new vintage, but availability isn’t always guaranteed.

To keep up with returning wines, new arrivals and upcoming releases, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media.

Quality comes first. We look for grower wines from small, independent estates, made with thoughtful viticulture and a strong sense of identity and place.

We favour organic and biodynamic approaches, certified or not, as well as low-intervention winemaking, without being dogmatic about either. Above all, the wine has to be precise, balanced and genuinely good, with a quality-to-price ratio that makes sense.

We also want to know the people behind every bottle: their estate, their work and the way they approach their craft. That understanding is essential to representing their wines well and sharing their story here in Quebec.

Is your bottle corked or otherwise defective?

Private import wines are covered by the SAQ against defects for one year. If a bottle is corked or shows another fault, keep the bottle with at least three-quarters of its contents and bring it to an SAQ store for evaluation.

If the defect is confirmed, the SAQ will refund the amount you paid in store. Then contact us with proof of the refund, and we’ll reimburse the corresponding agency fees.

Can I return a bottle that isn’t defective?

No. Private import sales are final, and the SAQ does not accept returns of non-defective products from private orders.