Alberta Government Won't Stock B.C. Wines That Sell Direct To Consumers

An interprovincial wine war is fermenting after Alberta’s liquor wholesaler told winemakers in B.C. that it won’t stock their products in retail stores unless they stop shipping it directly to consumers.

Last week, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, which regulates the sale of liquor in the province by controlling wholesale and distribution, sent a letter to wineries in B.C.

It said the agency had been investigating the practice of consumers in Alberta ordering wine directly from B.C. wineries instead of buying it in Alberta stores.

The AGLC says to maintain the integrity of Alberta’s liquor model and to protect the interests of Alberta retailers and liquor agents, AGLC will not accept any inbound shipments from investigated wineries moving forward.

They’ll resume acceptance of inbound shipments if, by way of written notice, the wineries agree to immediately cease direct-to-consumer shipping operations to Alberta.

B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement Wednesday, said it was “actively engaging with the government of Alberta to address the issue and navigate shared concerns related to interprovincial direct-to-consumer wine sales for the benefit of the industry and consumers.”