Industry News

SOLD OUT: Join us for the 2026 Spring Wine Forum

Thank you to everyone who registered for the 2026 Spring Wine Forum. The event is currently SOLD OUT, if you would like to join the waitlist for tickets, please email helena@ontariocraftwineries.ca.   The 2026 Spring Wine Forum will bring together leaders from across the province’s wine, hospitality, and tourism sectors. LCBO’s newly appointed interim President & CEO, Aaron Campbell, will also join us to talk about his new role along

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“Sales of Ontario wines have ‘skyrocketed’ since LCBO pulled U.S. booze from stores: officials”

Ford told LCBO to stop selling American products after U.S. tariffs imposed on Canadian goods in March. Sales of wines made from Ontario-grown grapes have soared since the Doug Ford government directed the LCBO to pull U.S. booze from store shelves nearly a year ago, officials say. “It’s been huge,” said Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, a non-profit trade association. “We call this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

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‘Why would we buy U.S. wines?’ Ontario vintners reap benefits of trade dispute

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,

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How the U.S. trade war uncorked a surprising boom for wineries across Canada

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.

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Canadian wine gets a ‘Buy Canadian’ boost

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.

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