VQA = 100% Ontario

Our Mandate

The VQA Act sets the framework by which standards for the production of VQA wine and appellations for wine growing regions are established. The Ontario Wine Appellation Authority has the following operating objectives:

• To establish, monitor and enforce an appellation of origin system in accordance with the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999 that allows consumers to identify wines on the basis of the area where the grapes are grown, the methods used in making the wine and other quality standards;
• To regulate the use of specified terms, descriptions and designations associated with the VQA appellation system when used to describe any wines made in Ontario;
• To act as the Wine Authority under the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999, and to participate in discussions with government and other stakeholders which relate to quality wine standards;
• To inform, educate and work with the grape and wine industry, governments and the public to promote the value and benefits of appellations and VQA-approved wines.

The Ontario Wine Appellation Authority’s long term strategic goal is to build a strong, credible and relevant appellation system, supported by quality standards and label integrity, and to raise the recognition and knowledge of each of Ontario’s wine appellations and their unique features.