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: 1723

▶ 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

Depopulation could destabilize food systems

It’s difficult to argue that climate change isn’t the most pressing threat to our agri-food sector. Farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and transporters have all been forced to adapt in real time to extreme weather events, shifting growing seasons and volatile conditions. From droughts to floods to wildfires, climate change has tested the resilience of every link in the food supply chain. Yet, for all the challenges the sector has faced – and will continue to face – due to climate pressures, it has managed to cope reasonably well. Investments in technology, new crop varieties, smarter logistics and infrastructure upgrades have helped absorb many of the shocks. But there is another looming threat – quieter, slower, and far more difficult to reverse – that few in the industry appear prepared for: depopulation. At its core, the food industry is built on one assumption: that there will always be more mouths to feed. Growth in population has long been a proxy for market growth.

Labour shortages create dragnet for agri-food

Canadian agriculture and agri-food consistently punch above their weight. Agriculture and agri-food contribute $111 billion per year – more than $30 million per day – to the Canadian economy, or over six per cent of our GDP. However, there are still more than 16,000 job vacancies on Canadian farms, and this labour crisis is resulting in avoidable financial strain. With that considered, you would think that smoothing out the regulatory red tape – especially on access to labour for farmers – should be highest priority for federal and provincial governments when the shortage is both critical and chronic, proven with many years of data and evidence. When COVID-19 challenged supply chains, action was taken to secure our food supply, but this level of urgency and priority for the sector appears to have come to an end. Producers and workers need new solutions Agriculture is theoretically prioritized in the immigration regulations, but it continues to be squeezed by on all sides. Agriculture

Syngenta brings new fungicide to Canadian potato growers

The Orondis Advanced premix combines a Group 29 and Group 49

Mastering Controlled Burns -- Essential Safety Tips for Farmers

Controlled burns can improve soil health and manage vegetation, but they require careful planning and strict safety measures.

Carney heading to China to talk ag and other issues

Prime Minister Carney is expected to discuss ag when he visits China next week

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service