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Vineland, ON – Richard Linley, President of the Ontario Craft Wineries, issued the following statement in response to the Ontario government’s announcement that beverage alcohol will be sold in hundreds of additional retail stores across Ontario: “Ontario Craft Wineries welcome today’s announcement, which will bring greater choice and convenience to the Ontario marketplace and create more…
Vineland, ON – Richard Linley, President of the Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW), issued the following statement in response to the release of the Ken Hughes report entitled “The Case for Change: Increasing Choice and Expanding Opportunity in Ontario’s Alcohol Sector”: “We are pleased the Ontario government continues to move toward creating a modern beverage alcohol…
Vineland, ON – The Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) has set out its priorities for the 2019 Ontario budget in various written submissions to the Ontario government. The OCW is recommending that the Ontario government: Recommendation #1: Stop Import Taxing Domestic Wines The Ontario government needs to address the “import tax” levied on 100% Ontario/VQA wine…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New logo makes it easy for consumers to distinguish Ontario VQA wines that are certified sustainable VINELAND, ON – The Ontario Craft Wineries is pleased to announce the launch of a new corporate logo as part of its Sustainable Winemaking Ontario (SWO) Certified program. The new logo, featuring a green leaf, identifies Ontario VQA…
WINE COUNCIL OF ONTARIO REBRANDS TO ONTARIO CRAFT WINERIES Voice of the Ontario VQA Wine Industry Rebrands after 44 years Vineland, ON – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO), the provincial advocacy group for 100% Ontario VQA wines, announced today the launch of a new brand identity and name. The organization will now be known…
The misconduct to which Mr. Hardie has admitted is deeply troubling. Sexual misconduct is never acceptable. This behaviour is not characteristic of our wine industry. The Wine Council of Ontario supports a safe working environment for all, free from harassment, and expects the same from everyone in the industry. We encourage anyone who has experienced…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONTARIO’S INDEPENDENT CRAFT WINERIES SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH JOBS, REVENUES & WORLD CLASS WINES (Vineland, Ontario) Friday, June 15, 2018 – Ontario Wine Week, an annual, province-wide celebration of Ontario’s local winemaking and grape-growing industries takes place the third week in June (June 18 – 24, 2018). Wine enthusiasts and novices alike…
Niagara, ON – April 19, 2018 – The Winery & Grower Alliance of Ontario (WGAO), the Wine Council of Ontario (WCO), the Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO) and their members today expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on Her Majesty the Queen v. Gerard Comeau. The case challenged restrictions on interprovincial trade….
First of its Kind Industry Conference and Trade Show for Ontario’s Craft Wine Industry ~ GROWING SUCCESS AND PROFIT ~ (Vineland, Ontario) March 21, 2018 – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) is pleased to announce the first annual Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show (OCWC) to be held on Tuesday, April 24,…
For immediate release 2017 Grape Price Agreement reached with Grape Growers of Ontario, Wine Council of Ontario and Winery & Grower Alliance of Ontario Niagara – September 6, 2017: The Grape Growers of Ontario, Wine Council of Ontario and Winery & Grower Alliance of Ontario have successfully negotiated a grape price agreement for the 2017…
President of Cave Spring Cellars to Advocate for Ontario VQA Wines Vineland, ON – With over 40 years experience in the Ontario VQA wine industry, the newly elected Chair of the Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) will be using his deep industry knowledge and experience to both increase the recognition and pride for Ontario VQA…
For Immediate Release MEDIA ADVISORY VINELAND, Ontario – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) is pleased to announce that Michael Hlinka will be the Guest Speaker at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) Guest Speaker. Members of the media are invited to attend Michael’s speech, which will focus on the Ontario Wine and Grape Industry…
Ontario’s craft wineries adopt sustainable practices in their winemaking operations VINELAND, ON – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) is pleased to announce that 13 Ontario VQA wineries are certified as part of the Sustainable Winemaking Ontario (SWO) program. Through a rigorous third-party independent audit, these wineries received passing scores, accrediting them with program certification….
Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) has launched a brand new Certificate in Ontario Wine online course that will be the Ontario wine industry’s first integrated online program specific to VQA wine. “This is the first online course of its kind,” said Barb Tatarnic, CCOVI’s manager of continuing education. “Offering this course…
WCO Members Applaud Changes Made for Ontario’s Wine Retail Sector VINELAND, ON – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) today responded to the Ontario government’s announcement that it is operationalizing wine sales in the first 67 grocery stores province wide. Here are some initial comments: “We welcome this new retail channel and the added competition…
VINELAND, ON – A new study commissioned by the Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) reports that wine consumers in the GTA and Ottawa are strongly interested in purchasing sustainable, local wine and are willing to pay a premium to drink wine that is “eco-friendly.” The 2016 study, funded in part through the federal-provincial-territorial initiative, Growing…
An overwhelming majority of wineries in Ontario recognize the value of water and how sustainable water management practices can improve winery operational performance, reduce costs and support growth, a recent survey of Ontario wineries found. The 2016 survey, conducted by the BLOOM Centre for Sustainability, showed that 94 per cent of Ontario wineries believe improved…
Record number of wineries adopt sustainable practices in their winemaking operations VINELAND, ON – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) is pleased to announce that 36 wineries are participating in the 2016 Sustainable Winemaking Ontario program. This represents a 30% increase over last year’s participation and the most ever for the program. “Respect for the…
Real time analytics helping Ontario wineries drive meaningful marketing and sales results VINELAND, ON – The Wine Council of Ontario and JR Laboratories Consultants Ltd have collaborated with Conceptual Pathways to develop an innovative technology platform that protects Ontario product in overseas markets while enhancing the brand appeal and marketing analytics of Ontario wineries. “The…
Fall is harvest time. And for Ontario’s 125-plus wineries across the Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County, it’s the perfect time to taste the fruits (or grapes) of their labour. Last year, 23.4 million litres of VQA wine were produced in the province. And that journey from soil to shelf is…
Wine Council of Ontario Calls for More Access to Ontario Wines Vineland, ON: – The Wine Council of Ontario welcomes the changes to beer retailing that were announced today by Premier Wynne and Ed Clark, Chair of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Government Assets. Ontario wineries are looking forward to seeing these changes mirrored for…
VINELAND, ON – The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO), in partnership with the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC), is pleased to announce that nineteen WCO member wineries will be participating at Ontario’s Celebration Zone at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre during the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games this summer. OTMPC is taking advantage…
Additional Retail Access and Level Playing Field are Critical VINELAND, ON – Today the Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) learned of the coming changes to Ontario’s beer retail system, as reported by the Toronto Star. “We applaud these changes in the interests of consumer choice, leveling of the domestic playing field and creating more opportunity…
Niagara, ON – (October 20th, 2014) – The Wine Council of Ontario is pleased to announce that Richard Linley will be taking over the helm as President of the non-profit trade association, which represents VQA wineries from Ontario across the province. Richard previously served as Senior Director, Government Affairs at the Canadian Beverage Association (CBA)…
“Pairs Perfectly” private wine shop proposal would complement LCBO and boost government revenue Vineland, ON – The recently released report by the C.D. Howe Institute calling for major change in Ontario’s alcohol retailing system agrees with the Wine Council of Ontario’s position that lack of competition is resulting in less choice for consumers and reduced…
NIAGARA, ON, May 15, 2014 – As the wine-touring season swings into high gear, Wine Country Ontario has just released its highly coveted 2014 Wine Country Ontario Travel Guide. Featuring a record 107 wineries, along with insider tips on how to make the most of an Ontario wine country experience, this must-have travel tool takes…
Vineland, ON – Giving consumers voice in this election is the goal of the PairsPerfectly campaign launched today by the Wine Council of Ontario. “Consumers have matured beyond Government in many ways,” said Hillary Dawson, President of the Wine Council of Ontario. “They certainly know that it’s time for Ontario to stop retrenching in the…
Niagara, ON – With over 25 years experience in the Canadian wine industry, the incoming Chairman of the Wine Council of Ontario will be using his winemaking roots, marketing expertise and dedication for quality wines to inspire consumer loyalty for Ontario wines and work to drive an increase in distribution opportunities. Allan Schmidt, President and…
(Vineland Station)—Ontario’s VQA wine industry – which includes those wineries that contain only locally-grown grapes with no foreign blends – has been an engine of economic growth for the province since 2007 and is poised to continue generating disproportionate benefits for the foreseeable future, according to a new study conducted by KPMG for the Wine…