Northern Lights Estate Winery is welcoming the news of the BC and Alberta governments reaching a deal allowing direct-to-customer sales.
The Alberta government had previously blocked direct sales from BC wineries, because it was missing out on the income from the markup that is usually charged.
Northern Lights Estate Winery Owner and Operator Doug Bell said the new deal will allow Alberta’s wine lovers access to wines they possibly couldn’t get before.
“We do sell through the Alberta system, so we do ship to Alberta liquor stores, but because of the size of our winery, we’re only able to ship a limited number of skews,” Bell explained.
“It isn’t available in every city, because every liquor store chooses whether or not they want to get our wines. We have many fans from across Alberta from Fort McMurray to Calgary that have been looking to get our wines and don’t have access to it, and this is going to give them that access.”
Bell added one of the more difficult parts of operating a winery in Canada is that there haven’t been free shipping laws across the provinces.
“Some provinces allow you to ship to them and others don’t, and what that means is that some consumers don’t get full access to the availability of your portfolio,” he explained.
“This is going to change that, at least from a British Columbia to Alberta standpoint, and hopefully more provinces will come on board, although some already do.”
Bell added there are several eastern provinces, including Quebec and the Territories where Northern Lights doesn’t have access to ship their wines.
“It can be very frustrating because we have customers that fly to Prince George from all over the country and then can’t get our products when they get home,” he said.
Bell added the new deal will have some impacts for local consumers as well.
“It does mean you can ship our local wines to your friends and family in Alberta. Might be a good Christmas gift or something for the next birthday.”
–With files from the Vista Radio National Newswire
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