Sales of Ontario wines have 'skyrocketed' since LCBO pulled U.S. booze from stores: officials

Sales of wines made from Ontario-grown grapes have soared since the Doug Ford government directed the LCBO to pull U.S. booze from store shelves nearly a year ago, officials say.

"It's been huge," said Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, a non-profit trade association. "We call this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Wasylyshen says overall the association's numbers are up about 83 per cent.

"That's sales numbers within the LCBO and some of my members are reporting even higher sales increases than that."

Producers say they hope even if U.S. bottles return to store shelves, consumers will continue to buy wines made from Ontario grapes.

In early March 2025, the Ontario government told the LCBO to stop selling U.S. products in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

The directive means wine, spirits, cider, beer, ready-to-drink coolers and cocktails, and non-alcoholic products produced in the U.S. have not been available for sale in LCBO retail stores, convenience outlets or through its website and app, according to the LCBO.

The ban also means wholesale customers, including grocery stores, convenience stores, bars and restaurants, have not been able to place orders of U.S. products online through the LCBO.

Ontario Craft Wineries represents over 100 wineries that make Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine.

VQA wines are regulated by and registered with the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority, which sets standards for wine made in the province, the Grape Growers of Ontario says on its website. The VQA symbol or name on the bottle means the wine is made from 100 per cent locally grown grapes and has met specific requirements for quality.

Wasylyshen says when a customer buys a bottle of VQA wine, 100 per cent of the amount spent on the bottle stays within the province.

"People are really understanding that, when they buy that wine, they're supporting the Ontario economy. And I think what this has done for us, the U.S. products being taken from the shelves, it's given new consumers an opportunity to try us," she said.

"Our sales of Ontario VQA wine have really skyrocketed."

In a statement on Friday, the Ontario Ministry of Finance said VQA wine sales have experienced an increase of about 79 per cent in the last year. The ministry said sales of Ontario alcohol products have increased by about 33 per cent, while sales of local craft products have increased by about 50 per cent.