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?

▶ 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!

▶ Reply

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

NOTILLville Dec 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!

▶ Reply

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

qaash Dec 16, 6:17pm via Web

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

▶ Reply

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

agecprof 6:08am via iOS

Good, but won't loosen the LCBO monopoly:

▶ Reply

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

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

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

Canada Backs AI Tools for Smarter Vineyards

The Government of Canada is investing in advanced agricultural technology to help grape growers improve crop management and disease detection. Funding will support the development of innovative machine learning and computer vision tools that provide real-time crop insights, helping farmers increase productivity, improve crop health, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the grape and wine industry.

Canada Pens Potash Deal with Bangladesh

Canada has announced a new government-to-government agreement with Bangladesh for the supply of Canadian potash. The deal is expected to support food security, strengthen trade relations, create opportunities for Canadian workers, and ensure a reliable fertilizer supply for agricultural production.

Still Slow Going for Saskatchewan Harvest

The Saskatchewan harvest continued to make relatively modest progress this past week and remains well behind normal. Thursday’s provincial crop report showed the overall harvest at just 27% complete as of Monday, up 9 percentage points from a week earlier. That is well behind 41% last year, and the five- and 10-year averages of 58% and 50%. Most of the progress came earlier in the week before widespread heavy rainfall brought fieldwork to a halt across much of the province. Some of the largest totals included 138 mm in the rural municipality of Longlaketon, 132 mm in Eyebrow, 127 mm in Sarnia and 121 mm in McKillop. Fields are now saturated in many areas, leaving producers waiting for warmer, drier weather before combines can return. Cropland topsoil moisture increased sharply, with 33% rated surplus and 58% adequate. Another 7% is rated short and 2% very short. Excess moisture and high winds were the main sources of crop damage during the week, the report said, with isolated

ICE Close: Sharp Crude Rally Supports

Canola futures closed moderately higher Thursday, supported by strength across the broader oilseed complex and a sharp rally in crude oil. Chicago soybean futures posted solid gains ahead of Friday’s USDA WASDE report, providing spillover support to canola, while surging energy markets added another bullish influence for vegetable oils and biofuel feedstocks. Brent crude jumped more than 6% to over US$107/barrel and U.S. crude climbed above US$102 as escalating Middle East tensions heightened concerns about global energy supplies. A slightly weaker Canadian dollar also helped underpin canola by making Canadian supplies more competitive for foreign buyers. Today’s Saskatchewan crop report pegged the overall harvest in that province at 27% complete as of Monday, up just 9 points from a week earlier and well behind last year and the average pace as wet conditions continue to hold farmers back. The canola harvest was estimated at 9% complete. Additional precipitation and periods

Alberta harvest reaches 10 per cent complete

According to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s latest crop report, 10 per cent of major crops have been harvested, as of September 1, 2026. That’s up six percentage points from the previous week, although harvest remains behind the five-year average of 23 per cent and the 10-year average of 17 per cent. Harvest progress varies across the province. The South Region reported 27 per cent of major crops harvested, while Central Alberta sits at nearly 12 per cent. Harvest is just getting underway in many northern areas, with completion ranging from one to three per cent across the Northeast, Northwest, and Peace regions. Dry peas continue to be the furthest along, with just over half of the provincial crop harvested. Barley harvest has reached 20 per cent complete, while six per cent of spring wheat acres have been combined. The latest report also shows soil moisture conditions remain well above historical averages across Alberta. Provincial surface soil moisture is rated 56 per cen

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service