Industry News

According to the LCBO, sales of Ontario VQA wines – which are made entirely from local grapes – are up 67 per cent year over year, while red wines have jumped 80 per cent. At Westcott Vineyards in Lincoln, Ont., the story is similar. Co-owner Carolyn Hurst says the boycott has allowed her to get more attention from consumers. “With those U.S. wines coming off, we’ve had some really significant,

Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, which represents more than 100 producers, said wine sales across all retail channels — from grocery and convenience stores to restaurants — have jumped by 78 per cent. She said the boost in sales has led wineries to hire more staff, invest in new machinery and expand their offerings, such as adding a restaurant component. Read more here.

Ontario Craft Wineries chief executive Michelle Wasylyshen said the “Buy Canadian” movement has given Ontario VQA wine producers an opportunity to get their products into the hands of new consumers, who are “tuning in like never before.” Read more here.

Canadian wine producers are seeing a boost in sales as more people choose to ‘Buy Canadian’ in the face of a U.S. trade war. Provincial bans on U.S. alcohol imposed earlier this year also gave homegrown vintages a bump. Read more here.

Ontario winemakers stand to benefit from reduced interprovincial trade barriers and a Buy Canadian sentiment, Ontario Craft Wineries’ chief executive officer told a conference this week. Ontario wineries are excited about the opportunity to capitalize on a changing market that could put local wines in front of more people. Read more here.

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast brings together global trade drama and local wine opportunity. Michael and Sylvain welcome Michelle Wasylyshen, President and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries. Michelle brings a sharp perspective on the role of VQA wines in the current climate. She explains how VQA signifies wines that are 100% Ontario-grown, produced, and bottled, and why that matters for consumers and the local economy. Listen to the full

Norm Beal, sits as the Vice Chair for the Ontario Craft Wineries Board of Directors. Norm joined CBC news to discuss the recent changes happening in the Ontario Wine Industry. See the broadcast here. 

Ontario Craft Wineries is excited to announce a new partnership with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters through their Ontario Made program. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to shine a spotlight on Ontario’s best locally made products, we can collectively show consumers how to make choices so that the economic benefits of choosing local remains in our province where they support local agricultural, tourism, manufacturing and industry jobs. By

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is removing more than 3,600 American-made alcohol products as part of its “first round of retaliation” against U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods. “As the exclusive wholesaler, American brands will no longer be available in LCBO catalogue, meaning other retailers, bars and restaurants in the province will no longer be able to restock U.S. products,”

“We stand with the Premier in his move to remove U.S. brands from the LCBO,” Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, said in an emailed statement. “Our hope is that everyone continues to unite behind the need to support Ontario’s local, homegrown products, such as those from Ontario VQA wineries.” Wasylyshen said the province’s craft wineries are ready to help fill the empty shelves. “We look forward