Finding the balance…

As Canadian wine lovers, we take great pride in supporting our homegrown industry. From the Okanagan Valley to Prince Edward County, our vintners continue to craft world-class wines, and there’s a deep sense of national pride in choosing a bottle from a local winery.

But wine appreciation doesn’t end at the border. Many of us have also built deep connections with U.S. winemakers, particularly in regions like California, Washington, and Oregon, where we regularly visit, taste, and invest in their wines. With Canada being one of the largest export markets for American wine, the recent threats of increased tariffs on Canadian goods by the U.S. government feel like an alarming disruption that will reverberate on both sides of the border.

A Market on Edge

Harvested pinot noir at Résonance vineyard in the Willamette Valley.

Tariffs on Canadian products could force our government to retaliate with its own levies, and wine is often a prime target in these trade disputes. If Canadian tariffs on American wines increase, it will almost certainly translate to higher prices for consumers.

As people who enjoy discovering boutique Napa Cabernets, Columbia Valley Syrahs, or Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, this is a frustrating and disheartening prospect.

Canadians drink a lot of American wine.

While we remain committed to supporting our Canadian wineries, the idea of being financially squeezed out of access to some of our favourite U.S. producers is troubling.

The reality is that Canadians drink a lot of American wine. According to industry reports, the U.S. accounts for nearly half of all imported wine in Canada. A significant price increase due to tariffs could lead to a noticeable drop in sales, which in turn will affect small and mid-sized U.S. wineries that rely on Canadian buyers. Many of these wineries already operate on thin margins, and a sudden downturn in their Canadian sales could create serious financial strain.

The Human Cost

Chris with Résonance winemaker Guillaume Large.

Beyond the economics, there’s a human element to this situation that’s hard to ignore. Many Canadian consumers, us included, have formed relationships with U.S. winemakers through visits, tastings, and industry events. We want to support our friends and their businesses, just as we hope they’ll continue to support Canadian wine when they have the chance.

These tariff disputes make it feel as though we are being forced to choose between national loyalty and personal affinity—an impossible and unfair position.

We also like supporting local winemakers like Evan Saunders at Blasted Church.

We know our local winemakers face challenges of their own, from climate-driven crop losses to competition with larger global brands. If higher tariffs push more Canadians toward domestic wines, that may seem like a silver lining for our local industry.

However, artificially forcing consumers to buy locally by making foreign options prohibitively expensive doesn’t truly support the industry in the long run.

Strong, sustainable growth for Canadian wine should come from genuine consumer enthusiasm, not market distortions caused by trade disputes.

A Call for Stability

As wine consumers, we simply want to enjoy the bottles we love, regardless of where they come from. The U.S. and Canada have long enjoyed a strong trade relationship, particularly in wine, and it would be a shame to see that disrupted by politics.

Hoping for brighter days ahead with no tariffs.

Instead of escalating tariffs, both governments should be working toward trade agreements that benefit producers and consumers on both sides of the border.

For now, Canadian wine lovers face uncertainty. We remain dedicated to supporting our local wineries, but we also hope for a resolution that allows us to continue enjoying the American wines we love. As the situation unfolds, all we can do is watch, wait, and, in the meantime, raise a glass to better trade relations in the future.