Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Ontario Wineries can now sell wine at local farmer's markets. What do you think?

The province of Ontario released a statement today announcing they will be allowing Ontario VQA wines to be sold at local farmer’s markets:

The province is making it easier for consumers to choose Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Ontario wine by expanding the LCBO’s new “Our Wine Country” destination boutiques and allowing VQA wines to be sold at farmers’ markets through the renewed Wine and Grape Strategy.

“I’m committed to supporting this innovative industry and I encourage consumers to choose Ontario wines first as they share them with family and friends this holiday season and throughout the year. They’re local, they’re good for our economy, and they support good jobs,” says Kathleen Wynne, Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food of Ontario.

Other features of the $75 million Wine and Grape Strategy will support local wineries and help the sector grow by:

  • Establishing an Ontario Wine Fund to support key winery and vineyard investments, such as specialized equipment and machinery, and enhanced marketing for the province’s wines locally and globally.
  • Creating a Wine Secretariat to be a one window point for discussions between the province and industry and identifying ways to reduce red tape to help make grape growers and wineries more competitive.
  • .

VQA wine sales in Ontario have increased by $100 million since 2008 — from $168 million in 2008 to $268 million in 2013.

 

On the website WindsorEats.com:

Bernie Gorski, winemaker and owner of Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, says that this isn’t just a big announcement for local wineries but is a huge achievement province-wide.

“It helps give us access to a market we’ve been restricted from since 1920,” Bernie explains. “It’s nice to see our government working with us .”

He goes on to say that he expects a huge impact to be able to sell wines in an area they’ve never been able to before.

“Having a broader market cannot be a bad thing,” he says. “It’s a major achievement for wineries in Ontario and we’re very pleased to be in business at this time while it’s happening.”

What do you think?

Views: 1785

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on December 16, 2013 at 1:25pm

Great new reason to go to local farmers' markets.

I will be buying some wine there now.

Beep Beep! 

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on December 17, 2013 at 1:59am


NOTILLvilleDec 16, 7:40pm via Twitter for BlackBerry

@OntAg they've been doing it in Saskatchewan for a couple of years now to rave reviews. Welcome to enlightened farmer's marketing!

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on December 17, 2013 at 1:59am


qaashDec 16, 6:17pm via Web

@ethicalgourmet @OntAg Great news! I hope we see some soon at @CoventMarket in #LndOnt

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on December 17, 2013 at 2:00am


agecprof6:08am via iOS

Good, but won't loosen the LCBO monopoly: 

Permalink Reply by Joann on December 17, 2013 at 5:14am
I have to seriously question how Ontario has the right to continual monopoly control of alcoholic sales.

I believe the Crown right to control alcohol in parts of Ontario/Quebec stems from a 17th century Royal Proclamation (if it has been rescinded, please advise, as I have not found that component) but conditions were attached.

I thought the Crown was bound to the 21 year rule like the rest of us.

Is it time to question the LCBO monopoly powers in court?

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Minister MacDonald sets the stage ahead of NPF meetings

Ministers and other stakeholders are in Halifax this week

Farm Management Canada launches Canada’s Young Farmers

The platform is designed to support and amplify the next generation of Canadian ag leaders

Watch for the development of Sclerotinia stem rot in canola

Information is OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada, and their employees assume no liability from the use of this information.   June surface soil moisture conditions indicate that much of the Prairie canola growing region currently has sufficient soil moisture to support germination of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia (Fig. 1). Cumulative rainfall from May 30 – June 28 was the highest in the Edmonton, Lethbridge, Winnipeg areas, and lowest in northern Saskatchewan and the Peace River area of Alberta (Fig. 2). When rainfall over the whole growing season (April 1 – June 28) was considered, the Edmonton area was much higher than average (Fig. 3). Recent heavy rains across the Prairies have significantly increased these amounts. Temperature over the May 30 – June 28 period was highest in southern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan and lowest in western Alberta (Fig. 4). For the whole growing season temperatures have

Table Beet Harvest has Begun

Ontario's 2026 fresh beet harvest is underway with a positive outlook and steady supply, reinforcing the province's position as Canada's leading producer of this resilient crop.

Cereal rust risk report April 1 to June 29 2026 stripe rust reported in Alberta and eastern Canada along with leaf and stem rust in eastern Canada

Stripe rust development in Alberta There are reports of stripe rust developing in Alberta, though at low levels to date. The wheat crop is maturing in the Pacific Northwest and will decline as a source of inoculum as it is harvested. The spread and development of stripe rust in Alberta now depends more on weather and crop conditions within the province going forward. No rust reports to date in Saskatchewan and Manitoba Cereal crops in the southern US states have nearly been harvested and were affected severely by drought this crop season. Spring cereals in the northern states are still developing but there are no reports to date of rust infection in these northern states. Crop development in many parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba is delayed relative to normal, and frequent and heavy rains raise the risk of disease development in all crops. To date though there have been no reports of rust development in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Cereal rusts reported in eastern Canada Colleagues

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service