With 24 new grape varieties approved for VQA certification, Ontario takes a bold step toward sustainability, innovation, and global competitiveness
Ontario’s wine industry is entering a new era of growth and opportunity with the announcement that 24 new grape varieties have been added to the list of those eligible for Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) certification. This expansion marks the largest update to the approved grape list in the program’s history, paving the way for greater innovation, improved sustainability, and broader consumer choice.
The new grape varieties—approved for their ability to produce high-quality wines, their resilience to extreme temperatures, and their reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides—represent a significant step forward in aligning Ontario wine production with both climate realities and market demands.
“Ontario wineries are producing great-tasting, top-quality wines,” said Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement. “They are earning praise around the world and beating out wine-producing giants in international competitions. As we approach Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day, we’re proud to support this thriving industry and remind everyone that world-class wine is being made right here at home.”
Photo: Ontario Wine Appellation Authority
The VQA certification, administered by the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority (OWAA), is Ontario’s gold standard for wine authenticity and origin. Each wine undergoes rigorous testing and auditing before earning the VQA seal, ensuring that consumers are purchasing wines that are not only high-quality, but also true to the place and practices behind them.
For producers, this new list unlocks exciting new possibilities.
“We are very pleased the Ontario government has approved this historic expansion of the grape list,” said Derek Cartlidge, Chair of the OWAA Board of Directors. “The additions reflect both established and new grape varieties and support a drive to sustainability, more flexibility to adapt to growing conditions, and more consumer choice. These changes provide new options for winemakers who are striving to make the best and most authentic wine possible, across all winegrowing regions in Ontario.”
“It’s a win for our farmers, a win for sustainability, and a win for everyone who enjoys high-quality Ontario wine.” – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West
The expansion arrives at a time when the market for VQA-certified wines is stronger than ever, with over $433.6 million in sales worldwide in 2024. For many industry stakeholders, the announcement is as much about economic development as it is about oenological advancement.
“Today’s news means more jobs and bigger paycheques in Ontario’s growing grape and wine sector,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “Approving these new grape varieties means our local wineries and the farm families behind them can continue to innovate, adapt to changing growing conditions, and bring new, distinctive wines to market. It’s a win for our farmers, a win for sustainability, and a win for everyone who enjoys high-quality Ontario wine. Niagara’s wineries are already some of the best in the world and this announcement helps them stay ahead.”
Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, emphasized the broader economic and cultural value of the move: “Expanding the list of grape varieties certified by VQA is great news for Ontario’s grape growers and wineries. It opens new opportunities for growth at a time when the market is growing and modernizing—and when supporting local agribusinesses has never been more important. Whether you’re visiting a winery, dining out or shopping, choose a locally grown and globally acclaimed Ontario wine.”
As Ontario prepares to celebrate Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day on Friday, June 27, 2025, this announcement serves as a timely reminder of the dynamic evolution of the province’s wine industry—and its continued commitment to excellence, sustainability, and local pride.
For more details and a complete list of the newly approved grape varieties, visit the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority website here.
