An aboriginal tribe in western Canada's arid Okanogan Valley is on the cusp of realizing a decades-old dream: becoming North America's first native winemakers.

Government recognizes climate change, gives $2.86 million for research

Kudos to Summerhill Pyramid Winery, the Okanagan vintner that is switching some of its quality wine from bottles to bags-in-boxes. And sour grapes to the stuck-in-mud bureaucratic rules that mean any wine that's boxed will lose its B.C. Vintners Quality Alliance certification.

The B.C. wine country backstory is also its backbone. Relatively young in the scheme of things, local wine producers and growers have had an optimistic, win-win vision to capture the world's attention since day one.

With top French wines fetching record-breaking prices, Canadian wineries are trying the sell their liquid gold in hopes of cracking an emerging market.

will add a hotel, restaurant, wellness centre, conference centre, art gallery, wine museum, guest cottages and microbrewery

B.C.'s wine and grape industry is growing so it needs more skilled workers. That need is why the provincial government announced Monday it is providing $140,000 for a study on how to meet the ever-increasing demand for properly-trained labour.

British Columbia winemakers are working to pinpoint what skills and training will be needed to meet future employment demands for their expanding industry.

Though generally offered only at small operations such as Painted Rock, a new cult-wine star nestled on an undulating ridge that straddles Skaha Lake south of Penticton

Magnotta Winery Corp. says net earnings slipped in the first quarter as the company felt the impact of a new tax on alcohol in Ontario.

The Ontario government kicked in about $2.86 million in funding Monday for Brock University's Cool Climate Viticulture and Oenology Institute. The grant will go to a 19-person team studying how to adapt the region's wine industry to changing climates.

"It's the first appellation wine for Nova Scotia," said Jurg Stutz, winemaker at Domaine de Grand Pre. "Basically, what that means is the wine comes with a set of standards.

"The access to market is critical."

Canada's wine industry is growing strongly, but losing market share at home and abroad, according to a new report from economists at the Bank of Montreal.

Quails' Gate owner Tony Stewart said in an interview that the Okanagan winery flew its wines north to ensure they arrived at the dinner in time.

VQA wines to benefit from vineyard improvement investment

The grape growing industry got some welcome news on Tuesday morning, the announcement of a new $12-million vineyard improvement program.

More good things will be grown in Ontario with a new program to improve grape growing and wine making in the Niagara Region.

The province's grape and wine industry is toasting a $12-million top-up from the province.

A group has received a grant to build an information base that will assist its bid to build a wine and grape region along the Lake Erie north shore.