Industry News

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

Wine Growers Canada (WGC), the national association representing the Canadian wine industry, is proud to continue honouring industry leaders and champions through the 2023 Canadian Wine Industry Awards, which took place today in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Alongside Wine Growers Canada (WGC), Wine Growers Ontario (WGO) and Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) announced the winner of the 2023 Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award. This year’s distinguished recipients are:Canadian Wine Industry Awards of Distinction –

Niagara, ON – In a first-time partnership, Ontario Craft Wineries, Tourism Partnership of Niagara and Wine Growers Ontario have come together to commission a Deloitte report that reveals the Ontario wine sector is well positioned to drive sustainable economic growth for the region, the province and the country.   Described as the Niagara Cluster, the region is made up of an extensive network or “cluster” of industries where intense economic

Vineland, Ontario – Ontario winemakers and grape growers see a future where their products will be the leading choice among wine consumers in this province, with more than three million tourists visiting Ontario’s wine regions each year to enjoy world class wines and hospitality. Ontario’s VQA Wine and Grape Industry’s newly released 2030 Vision anticipates substantial growth in this important sector of the provincial economy, fueling increases in investment, market