Industry News

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

The Globe & Mail recently shared an article on interprovincial trade where OCW’s President Michelle Wasylyshen was quoted, “Today, it’s easier for an Ontario winery to send their product to Europe than Quebec. As a result of restrictions on interprovincial wine trade, Canada is the only significant wine-growing country that doesn’t primarily drink domestic wines, said Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries. In Australia, the United States

Toronto, Ontario (February 20, 2025) – Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) is thrilled that Doug Ford took another step forward today in stimulating Ontario’s wine sector by committing to the removal of interprovincial barriers to enable direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol with other provinces and territories. Added to other recent initiatives designed to advance our industry, including the expansion of private retailing opportunities, reduction of taxes and extension of support programs, the

In the province, to ensure that the wine is a 100% Ontario product, a VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) symbol is added to the bottle’s label. It certifies the wine meets specific quality standards for grapes and winemaking. Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, hopes the attack on Canadians continues to stay top of mind among consumers and, ideally, changes peoples habits. “This is a once in a

Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, which represents 120 wineries across the province, said the situation would have created an opportunity to put more VQA Ontario wines in front of Canadian customers. “We’re excited for the opportunity to get more of our VQA Ontario wines onto store shelves, into bars and restaurants and ultimately into the hands of consumers,” she said. “There is an imbalance of trade

Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, said with the ‘Buy Canadian’ sentiment growing, now was the time to make alcohol trade between provinces easier. “Anything that can be done to reduce barriers for VQA wines is long overdue. As a first step, we support consumers’ ability to order Canadian VQA wine directly to their homes — wherever the winery is and wherever they live in Canada,” she