Organization

In 1999 the Canadian wine industry, under the auspices of the Canadian Wine Institute, agreed on the need to carefully assess its future and the factors that could influence it. Through its visioning process Canadian vintners determined where the wine industry wants to go, the multiplicity of factors influencing the industry’s business environment and future, and those policies and actions that will drive success. The process was based on the premise that any effort to significantly shape the future of Canada’s wine industry must reach well beyond the interests and activities of individual companies.

The result was the evolution of the Canadian Wine Institute, an organization that existed for almost 60 years and which has been incorporated since 1975, into the Canadian Vintners Association (CVA). The Wine Council of Ontario and the British Columbia Wine Institute became integral members of the Canadian Vintners Association, which also assumed promotional activities previously handled by VQA Canada.

Twenty five Canadian corporations with over 30 wineries make up the vintner membership of the Association, representing over 90% of Canada’s wine production and exports.

The CVA is governed by a Board of 14 Directors, seven each from Ontario and British Columbia, and is managed by a President. Its governance structure provides for expansion of the board to encompass evolving wine areas in Canada such as the Atlantic Provinces and Québec, and the Association is actively seeking new members.

The CVA is an incorporated non-profit trade association, financed and supported by its members. It is based in Ottawa at:

Suite 200 – 440 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X6 CANADA
Phone: (613) 782-2283
Fax: (613) 782-2239
Email: info@canadianvintners.com