Professors at Okanagan College have conducted extensive research to find out what motivates wine visitors to come to the valley, and what is needed to ensure they return. Along with the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and the British Columbia Wine Institute the team discovered the "greatest influence on visitor motivation."

A provincial pilot project to sell VQA wines at farmers' markets may need more flexibility to be beneficial, local wineries say. "Everybody, all the members are committed to it, and we're sticking with it, but I think it's going to take some time," said Ann Wilson, president and general manager of Oxley Estate Winery.

A new Harris Decima poll shows that Canadians want the federal government to remove the limitation on importing wine from other provinces. About half of Canadians say they drink wine at least occasionally and nationally 17 per cent say they drink wine regularly, while 36 per cent say they drink wine occasionally.

The fallout from this year's harsh winter may allow a Lambton County winery to sell wine next year at farmers' markets.

Breaking down Ontario's prohibition-era liquor laws to allow local stores to sell alcohol would lower prices while generating more revenue for the government than current "quasi-monopolies," according to a new report.

Another alcohol brand has looked beyond glass to offer a new line in PET packaging. Andrew Peller Limited has introduced skinnygrape spritzers in a 330ml barrier PET bottle from Amcor Rigid Plastics. The beverage was previously only available as a low-calorie wine in a 750ml glass bottle

Thanks to a new agreement between Ottawa and the European Union, Canada and the EU appear to be opening up freer trade terms than what's currently in place between the provinces. Provincial wine and craft beer monopolies that control and restrict distribution in their jurisdictions are arguably the most discussed impediments within Canada's tangle of internal trade barriers, according to experts.

"You simply turned on a tap, and the water went down the drain, and that's all you had to know about water management 20 years ago."

Western provinces with more competition had seven per cent more per capita in provincial alcohol profits than those with government-run monopolies, according to the report written by two economists

Canada's wine industry could face new restrictions within its own borders, if a leaked EU trade deal turns out to be accurate.

Meanwhile, critics are now questioning why Canadian stakeholders are learning about the deal from Europeans and not their own government.

Naramata's award-winning Serendipity Winery is proud to introduce acclaimed Okanagan winemaker Bradley Cooper as the newest member of the Serendipity winemaking team.

Ontario's wine industry has grown rapidly from a promising, local curiosity to a burgeoning international presence, and the Wine Council of Ontario is working to ensure that the industry's management of natural resources can keep pace. Utilizing the expertise of the BLOOM Centre as an enabler and facilitator, the Wine Council is turning Ontario's wine sector into a hotbed for sustainable water innovation.

Good luck finding a 2014 merlot from Niagara when you're shopping for wine over the next couple of years.

iSys Label will be showcasing the EDGE 850, a roll to roll digital label printer for printing full color BS5609-compliant chemical drum labels on demand at the upcoming LabelExpo Americas tradeshow

Ontario's wine region was yet another victim of the long, cold winter and grape numbers may be dwindling because of it.

The polar vortex earlier this year has all but wiped out the Merlot crop in Niagara, with Sauvignon Blanc also severely affected.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the policy, which came into effect last month, will inhibit small business growth

Exceptional and best-value vintages will battle it out at a prestigious Niagara competition next week.

This year marks the 14(th) national competition judged by an extensive panel of the most respected wine writers, wine critics, retail buyers, Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wines in Canada. With 1,335 wines being reviewed from 189 wineries across Canada, the Canadian Winery of the Year is the highest distinction in the Canadian wine industry.