Ontario Wine Week, an annual, province-wide celebration of Ontario’s local grape-growing and wine-making industries is this week.
Wine enthusiasts and novices alike are invited to support and discover Ontario VQA wines and the history of this remarkable, homegrown industry. Whether you pick up a bottle at the LCBO, a tasting room or at your local farmers market, celebrating means toasting with a glass of Ontario VQA wine.
“Ontario has a well-aged wine history” says Richard Linley, President of the industry’s trade association, Wine Council of Ontario (WCO). “Our craft wineries share a fruitful agricultural past and familial connection to the land. They are also the purveyors of 100 per cent local, VQA award-winning craft wines that generate jobs, tourism, revenue and a reputation for quality in the province of Ontario.”
The Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) celebrates the contribution of the people and places who have built a rich history and valuable commodity for the province. Their winery members are family-owned small and medium size wineries that are dedicated to producing 100 per cent VQA Ontario wines and committed to responsible, sustainable and profitable growth.
[ezcol_1half]
Did you know there are over 18,000 acres of wine grapes planted in Ontario’s five primary appellations?[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
“Our industry is made up of generations of farmers and artisans whose excellence in the craft of winemaking and agriculture has had an impact on communities and Ontario’s economy for over two hundred years,” says Carolyn Hurst, President of Westcott Vineyards, and WCO board member. “Now is the right time to support an important local industry as it continues to grow.”
ONTARIO’S ‘VINEYARD TO GLASS’ FACTS & FIGURES:
- $98.20 per bottle in added value to the province
- 2.4 million visitors to Ontario wineries
- $847 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact
- 20 million+ litres of VQA wine sold in 2017
- 18,000+ acres of grapes grown
- 75,000+ metric tonnes of grapes processed
- VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) means the wine is made from 100 per cent Ontario grown grapes and indicates it has passed through a strict quality-assurance and label integrity program.
“Let’s celebrate a multi-dimensional, multi-generational industry that prides itself on ensuring environmental stewardship, a rich agricultural heritage and award-winning VQA wines,” says Linley.
Cheers to that!
About the Wine Council of Ontario
The WCO leads the growth and profitability of Ontario’s respected VQA wine sector – through strategic partnership and authoritative trusted advocacy.
As a non-profit trade association, the WCO represents over 100 wineries from across the three designated viticultural areas of the province (Niagara, Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore – including Pelee Island) as well as emerging wine producing regions such as Ontario’s South Coast and Georgian Bay/Grey County. Our members are independently owned small and medium sized enterprises – grape growers, manufacturers and leaders in tourism in their communities.
