The BC Wine Growers Association is left scratching it’s head as to the motive behind a “wine war” with Alberta.

In a letter last week, the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission told BC wineries it would not stock their products in retail stores, unless they stop shipping directly to Alberta consumers.

BC Wine Growers CEO Miles Prodan says they’re not sure why that letter was sent as BC wineries have been shipping to Albertans for a number of years.

“The letter from the AGLC makes reference to Federal Regulations and as far as we are aware, that is completely been taken off the books in 2019; the federal government got out of regulating the shipment of wine, and left it to the provinces, so there is no federal law being broken.”

Prodan says wineries in this province are now contemplating their next steps.

“What do we do? What is the best choice? I think there is a misunderstanding just in terms of the value of the BC Wine industry in Alberta overall. Our wine is not cheap, I will argue they are the best value available.”

Prodan says while it seems the AGLC is trying to say there is “big opportunities” for BC wineries in Alberta, he notes they haven’t seen the results.

“Albertans have a lot of choice, they do do prefer and support BC wine in stores and on wine lists, but really we are talking about high end, expensive, relative wine from BC to wine club members and why that should be shut down, doesn’t make any sense at all.”

Prodan stresses that BC wineries the aren’t breaking any laws by shipping directly to Albertans, noting they’ve been doing that for years.

He also says the AGLC is only able to regulate rules with people in their province.