By Rick VanSickle
New data from the LCBO shows a significant boost of 67% year-over-year growth for Ontario VQA wines.
That, coupled with a 23% increase for all Ontario-made products, reflects not only the shifting customer buying habits, but also the strength and quality of Ontario- and Canadian-made products, according to the LCBO.
Also in this Ontario Wine Report: Niagara wines released at Vintages Oct. 11, plus a B.C. wine from Hester Creek coming to stores.
“We have incredible producers here in Ontario, and we have more local products than ever in store and online in response to customer demand,” said George Soleas (above), president and CEO of the LCBO. “Whether shopping for something local on “The EH List.” enjoying a complimentary Ontario VQA wine tasting in store or asking for a product recommendation for your fall occasions, I hope customers discover new local favourites and feel good about supporting our local industry.”
“The “Buy Canadian” movement has given Ontario VQA wine producers an opportunity to get our products into the hands of new consumers and our soaring sales show that they are falling in love with us,” said Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries. “Ontario VQA wine has always been an authentic made-in-Ontario story, but Ontarians are tuning in like never before. Our partnership with the LCBO is critical in showcasing the exceptional quality and diversity of Ontario wines that belong on the world stage.”
Ontario VQA wines – wine made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes – continue to outpace other Ontarian product categories with a 67% growth overall. Most notably, the LCBO points to strong demand for VQA red wine, up 80%.
Paul Speck, president of Henry of Pelham in Niagara, told Wines in Niagara that the total VQA market including grocery sales is up over 65%. “The LCBO has been very supportive of VQA wines during the tariff era. They have replaced California wine shelf space with mostly VQA wines and have brought in more wines from smaller wineries and have increased distribution of all VQA general list wines throughout the province,” he said.
He noted that sales during the Period 7 VQA promotion at the LCBO, on until Oct. 16, “look amazing. We did a local event in Toronto of craft beer, VQA wine and spirits that was the biggest event the LCBO has ever done,” Speck said. “It sold out at the pre-release price and was amazing. Over 850 people.”
Speck isn’t entirely sure how sales will be impacted once U.S. wines come back, “but we anecdotally hear from former Cali wine drinkers that they ventured out to the VQA section and were surprised by the quality and the fact that the prices are so good.”
He notes, that for Henry of Pelham, “the huge winners are the (regular) Chardonnay and the Goat lady Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and all of our Baco Noirs, as they fit the Josh/Bread and Butter red taste profiles. I had one person who only drank Cali Chardonnay (Sonoma Cutrer) switch to The Goat and she couldn’t believe how good it is and $15 cheaper. We think when Cali is back, they will have some work to do and VQA could be in many people’s wheelhouse that was not before. It doesn’t help the U.S. when (President Donald) Trump reiterated at the UN that we should be the 51st state and continues to raise tariffs on specific Canadian products trying to destroy our economy and people’s jobs. Hard to feel sympathetic.”
Carolyn Hurst, co-owner of Westcott Vineyards and former chair of Ontario Craft Wineries, said her winery was already “experiencing significant growth with the LCBO before the U.S. products were taken off the shelf. The U.S. product removal is helping us grow even more.”
Hurst noted that the LCBO has not only increased sales of known VQA brands, but they have been trying to purchase from smaller producers. “This is giving consumers a chance to try some new products from new smaller wineries. More choices,” she said.
“I am hopeful that as more consumers try our great VQA wines and love us, they will continue to buy our wines when the U.S. products return to the shelves. Sales have gone up for wines from other European, South American and Australian producers during the period with U.S. products off the shelves … so people still have choices other than VQA and even so, they are choosing VQA.”
Heidi Fielding, whose family owns and runs Fielding Estate Winery on Niagara’s Beamsville Bench, expressed joy with the growth of the estate’s wines at the LCBO. “It’s been rewarding to see consumers trying Ontario grown wines and finding new favourites,” Fielding said. “It’s piqued a greater interest in Ontario grown wines and a huge sense of pride in buying local. My hope is that they continue to choose these Ontario grown wines and know that they have heard our stories, tried the wines and most importantly, enjoyed them. Ontario consumers are having an a-ha moment.”
Other Ontario-made wine categories such as International Domestic Blends show modest growth at 5%.
Ontario craft beer and Ontario-made spirits are also experiencing a boost in sales — 8.4% and 4.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, Ontario craft cider is experiencing positive growth in LCBO stores and online.
Outside of Ontario, Canadian products from other provinces are also experiencing increased sales such as British Columbia wines, up 55%, Nova Scotia wines, up 30%, and Alberta spirits, up 13%.
These most recent numbers are a year-over-year comparison of overall sales between Feb. 9, 2025, and Sept. 6, 2025.
The LCBO said it is working closely with local industry partners to bring more products to Ontarian consumers. In response to customer demand, it has added 130 new Ontario VQA wines in the premium Vintages section stores.
Here are the Ontario Vintages
wines coming to stores Oct. 11
• Bachelder L’Ardoise Niagara Chardonnay 2023 ($26)
• Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2022 ($35)
• Divergence Hughes Vineyard Fumé Blanc 2022 ($26)
• Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2023 ($25)
• Flat Cellars Good Kharma Chardonnay 2024 ($18)
• Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve White Meritage 2023 ($30)
• Tawse Limestone Ridge North Riesling 2021 ($22)
• Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet Merlot 2020 ($20)
• Hidden Bench Gamay 2023 ($30)
• Peninsula Ridge Reserve Syrah 2020 ($XX)
• Reif Estate Reserve Merlot 2020 ($35)
A B.C. VQA wine coming to Vintages Oct. 11
Hester Creek Old Vine Cabernet Franc 2022 ($39, LCBO online and Flagship stores only, 93 points) — The Cab Franc was harvested with each bunch hand sorted before being destemmed with whole berries sent to the estate’s Italian Ganimede fermentation tanks where they were cold soaked for two days before undergoing a 15-day fermentation. The wine was then pressed off the skins aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Really nice Cabernet Franc here from the South Okanagan’s Golden Mile Bench terroir. It has a penetrating nose of black currant puree, wild raspberries, anise, mulled herbs, pepper and toasted vanilla bean and spice. It’s mouth-filling on the palate with ripe dark berries, sun-drenched raspberries, anise/licorice, firm tannic structure, oak spice notes and a lifted, finessed and long finish. Can cellar through 2035.
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