Niagara wineries optimistic following $35M provincial investment in grape farms

Niagara wine makers say they’re optimistic after the Ontario 2025 budget plans to invest $35 million into grape farms over the next five years.

Wine lovers could potentially see more Ontario-made wine at the LCBO, according to a spokesperson for the Ontario Craft Winery Association (OCWA).

“We’re going to make some absolutely stunning, beautiful wines from our Ontario grown grapes and the program guys are going to help us with that,” said Carolyn Hurst, the co-founder of Westcott Vineyards in Lincoln. “We’re investing money in additional capacity for winemaking processes.”

Hurst said the province’s new pledge of up to $35 million to grape farms and wineries will have a positive impact on her business and other Vintner’s Quality Alliance wineries across the province.

The funding, which was announced during the province’s budget meeting last week, is anticipated to double – on average – the percentage of Ontario grapes in blended wine, according to the Ford government.

Hurst is also a chairperson of the OCWA and says now is the best time to shop Canadian.

“We’ve also had a directive from the Minister of Finance to the LCBO, to encourage the LCBO to seek out smaller producers in terms of craft products,” said Hurst.

With the new provincial funding, Hurst said consumers can expect to see a lot more smaller Ontario brands on the LCBO shelves.

Some local consumers spoke with CHCH said that they were looking forward to those brands.

“Canadian wine is excellent, and not enough Canadians appreciate that,” said one person. “We make great wine in Canada and more people need to buy it and appreciate – it’s fantastic. So I always have, but even more so now – only Canadian wine in our house.”

“I think more so now, more than ever, I think there’s obviously a huge push to buy local,” said another person. “So I think this investment couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Hurst says the next step is for Ontario Premier Doug Ford to break down interprovincial barriers.

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