N.S. wineries gearing up for interprovincial sales to Ontario consumers
Posted Apr 26, 2026 06:16:00 AM.
Last Updated Apr 27, 2026 10:51:21 AM.
Wine producers across Nova Scotia are anticipating a boost in business when interprovincial alcohol sales are allowed to begin in May.
The province is on track to begin selling alcohol directly to consumers outside of the province as of next month, due to changes in policy.
A spokesperson for the Privy Council Office says provinces are continuing to work and plan toward the May deadline, with each detailing how they’ll implement the policy.
So far, Ontario is the only province with which Nova Scotia has signed a deal to participate in cross-border sales.
Wine Growers Nova Scotia’s (WGNS) executive director says local wineries are calling that partnership a move in the right direction.
“It’s definitely an important step towards reducing interprovincial barriers,” WGNS’s Melissa Herbin says about the deal. “That really gives Nova Scotia immediate access to Ontario’s 14 million customers, so a very large market.”
She admits there is a series of administrative steps for wineries to take in order to participate in direct-to-consumer sales, adding that the largest barrier for many local businesses is likely shipping costs, which remain high and restrictive.
“We do have logistics challenges, and that’s not going to disappear overnight,” Herbin says. “It’s unlikely to see a result in a flood of new sales immediately, but obviously, this is an opportunity that we can work towards and work through those challenges.”
Jost Vineyards will be one of Nova Scotia’s wine businesses taking advantage when the rules are lifted.
Jim Gallant, general sales manager of the province’s longest-operating winery, which supplies around 80 products under 12 different brands to the NSLC at any given time.
He says that while the volume of direct-to-consumer sales is fairly low in comparison to retail sales, Jost Vineyards will be using the rule change to help market its product in Ontario.
“Where we see the biggest immediate opportunity is just in the visibility,” he says, adding that he believes if the winery can provide figures to the Liquor Board of Ontario (LCBO) that back up Ontario consumers’ interest through direct-to-consumer sales, it could help Jost Vineyards increase the number of listings on shelves in Ontario’s regulated liquor stores.
“It’s just an extra little piece of the story to help support the listing. I’m in the world of sales so that’s a selling story that you can bring now to what is by far the biggest liquor board in Canada (and) that might result in some future listings (so) there are different ways to look at it but without a doubt, there’s opportunities across the board.”
