$10 Million Investment Supports VQA Wineries

Submitted by gvt on June 16, 2006 - 3:19pm

Helps Promote Table Wines With 100 Per Cent Ontario-Grown Grapes

TORONTO, June 15 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is investing $10 million over three years to support the long-term economic growth of Ontario's domestic wine industry, Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced today.
"Our support for the wine and grape sector is part of our overall strategy to build a stronger, more vibrant and more prosperous Ontario," said Minister Takhar. "I am proud to say that today's announcement will also support our farmers, as VQA wines are made with 100 per cent Ontario grown grapes."
The program supports Ontario's wine industry by encouraging the sale of Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) table wines, containing 100 per cent Ontario-grown grapes. Today's investment will help Ontario wineries and their VQA products become more competitive, encouraging research and innovation leading to new product and process development.
"This announcement is great news for our industry because it helps make Ontario wineries more competitive and will now encourage smaller wineries to introduce their wines into the LCBO," said Norm Beal, Chair of the Wine Council of Ontario.
This program complements existing support, including:
- $10 million over five years to support Wine Council of Ontario marketing initiatives that are part of the Ontario Wine Strategy
- $3 million in 2005-06 for small and medium-sized producers of VQA wines to recover from the short crop in 2005
- $1 million in 2005-06 to further support Ontario wine marketing efforts; and
- $1 million in 2005-06 to the Grape Growers of Ontario for research into hardier varietals.

"We're on the side of Ontario businesses, including small wineries and entrepreneurs who contribute to Ontario's prosperity and create jobs for Ontario families," said Takhar. "This program will help wineries have even more made-in-Ontario success stories."

www.ontariocanada.com

For further information: Stephanie Nadalin, Minister's Office, (416)
326-1939; Dino Rocca, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8058