The government of British Columbia (BC) has announced a raft of major reforms to the Canadian province's liquor licensing laws. The new changes, announced earlier this month, are expected to make it easier for small and medium-sized BC breweries, wineries and distilleries getting their products to market.

Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie, owners of Summerland's Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP), British Columbia's premier custom-crush winery facility, announce that Matt Dumayne has joined the team as associate winemaker, effective immediately.

A new study shows wine consumption in this country is growing three times faster than globally and Canada is projected to be the fifth fastest-growing wine market in the next five years.

he Harper Government is helping a British Columbia winery innovate to increase its competitiveness. Member of Parliament Dan Albas (Okanagan-Coquihalla) today announced an investment for Stoneboat Vineyards to purchase and install new wine processing equipment at its facility in Oliver, British Columbia.

The rural board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen voted last week to send Tinhorn Creek Vineyards' non-farm use application to the Agricultural Land Commission with a request that its restaurant be allowed to serve all kinds of B.C.-made booze, not just wine.

Terrabella Wineries, a British Columbia-based group that is involved in acquiring and establishing wineries to centralize production, management and distribution, has acquired an 18 acre vineyard property in West Kelowna, British Columbia.

Terrabella Wineries Ltd., of Summerland, B.C., announces it has completed the purchase of an 18-acre vineyard property in West Kelowna, B.C. This marks the company's second acquisition in their process of obtaining existing wineries and building new wineries in B.C. with the intention of creating quality brands for wine consumers.

Terrabella Wineries Ltd., of Summerland, B.C., announces it has completed the purchase of an 18-acre vineyard property in West Kelowna, B.C.

Brewery, distillery and winery owners who also have off-site restaurants or pubs will be able to sell their products at the off-site establishments as of March 1.

"The third quarter remains our strongest period of the year due to seasonal sales and we were very pleased to generate a solid 4.2 percent predominantly organic growth in sales for the quarter compared to last year," commented John Peller, president and CEO.

Minister Rich Coleman announced several changes today that will help support local breweries and distilleries, create new business opportunities, and revise current liquor laws in British Columbia.

The provincial government has unveiled some major changes to liquor laws that should make it easier for small- and medium-sized B.C. breweries, wineries and distilleries to get their products to market.

The deal also includes Kittling Ridge's retail store licenses, giving Magnotta six boutique outlets in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), on top of the seven stores it already operates in Ontario.

Approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the deal allows Kittling Ridge brand to continue as part of Magnotta portfolio and add its Icewine and Brandy and Vidal Icewine products, and stores located in Barrie, London, North York, Richmond Hill and Toronto to Magnotta's portfolio.

Everyone in Ontario agrees that the grape harvest in 2012 was outstanding, some are even calling it the best in Ontario's grapegrowing history. The same prediction is being made for the ice wine harvest.

An Ontario push to let convenience stores sell wine and beer may be affected by a B.C. study that finds deaths jump 2 percent with a rise in private sales.

Magnotta Winery Corp has bought fellow Canadian winery Kittling Ridge, doubling its number of independent retail outlets in Ontario.

Faced with an expected flood of applications from winery restaurants seeking to expand their drink menus beyond B.C. wine, the regional district will ask the Agricultural Land Commission to again re-examine its position on the matter.

Cherry Point Estate Wines opened about 23 years ago and has 34 acres, but only 24 acres are used for the vineyard. The rest is for the tasting room, a bistro, house, a lake and extra space for special events such as weddings and concerts.

Among other things, the transaction will transfer store licences, grape grower agreements and the Kittling Ridge name and trademarks to Magnotta.