Ferment on Premises in Alberta
October, 2017 Filed in: Wine making
In 2015, Ferment on Premises was legalized in Manitoba. After Nova Scotia legalized them in 2013, it meant that 7 of the 10 Canadian provinces allow consumers the ability to have their wine made for them in a store. Quebec is currently reviewing it and is expected to approve Ferment on Premises in their province. This would leave Alberta and Newfoundland as the only two provinces where consumers are denied this freedom of choice.
What are Ferment on Premises? In such a facility, consumers select the wine kit they would like to have, add the yeast that day, and then the store takes it from there, doing all the remainder of the steps until bottling time. The consumer then comes back and bottles the wine. The store invests in industrial filling equipment that looks like a commercial bottling plant. The consumer pays for this service.
The number of wine kit retailers in Alberta has consistently being declining, with 27 store closures in the last 10 years, with no new stores opening. Clearly, while the home wine making industry can sustain most of the stores still open, the home wine making market in this province is not thriving. Ferment on Premise would allow a more vibrant market and more consumer choice.
At the same time, Ferment on Premises in Alberta could offer an economic benefit. Estimates based on legalization in Nova Scotia, suggest that 400 more permanent jobs would be realized in Alberta, stimulating our economy.
While, many of our customers enjoy this hobby at home, the ability to make wine in a designed facility, with specialized equipment, might be appealing, especially to those who express concern over lifting carboys or perhaps find themselves downsizing from a house to a condo and may no longer have the space.
The Government of Alberta are indicating they might have an interest in allowing Albertans the same choice and freedom that 7 other provinces now provide their citizens. So, call, or email your MLA, NDP or opposition, and ask them to consider allowing Ferment on Preemies. We may have a narrow window to get this through, given the current political environment in Alberta. Your help would be appreciated.
What are Ferment on Premises? In such a facility, consumers select the wine kit they would like to have, add the yeast that day, and then the store takes it from there, doing all the remainder of the steps until bottling time. The consumer then comes back and bottles the wine. The store invests in industrial filling equipment that looks like a commercial bottling plant. The consumer pays for this service.
The number of wine kit retailers in Alberta has consistently being declining, with 27 store closures in the last 10 years, with no new stores opening. Clearly, while the home wine making industry can sustain most of the stores still open, the home wine making market in this province is not thriving. Ferment on Premise would allow a more vibrant market and more consumer choice.
At the same time, Ferment on Premises in Alberta could offer an economic benefit. Estimates based on legalization in Nova Scotia, suggest that 400 more permanent jobs would be realized in Alberta, stimulating our economy.
While, many of our customers enjoy this hobby at home, the ability to make wine in a designed facility, with specialized equipment, might be appealing, especially to those who express concern over lifting carboys or perhaps find themselves downsizing from a house to a condo and may no longer have the space.
The Government of Alberta are indicating they might have an interest in allowing Albertans the same choice and freedom that 7 other provinces now provide their citizens. So, call, or email your MLA, NDP or opposition, and ask them to consider allowing Ferment on Preemies. We may have a narrow window to get this through, given the current political environment in Alberta. Your help would be appreciated.