Wine Institute Delegation Presses for Urgent Action to Return U.S. Wine to Canadian Shelves

2026 Wine Institute Washington Week Delegation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A delegation of senior winery owners, winemakers and executives from 14 California wineries traveled to Washington, D.C., May 19-21, 2026, for Wine Institute's 41st annual Washington Meeting, where restoring access to the Canadian market was the central focus of three days of meetings with federal lawmakers, administration officials and Canadian provincial representatives.

The delegation urged policymakers to help resolve the ongoing dispute with Canada and return U.S. wine to what was, until last year, the largest export market for American wine. For more than a year, Canadian provincial bans on U.S. alcohol have hurt wineries, distributors, retailers, restaurants and consumers on both sides of the border, while creating a significant obstacle in the broader U.S.-Canada trade relationship.

"Throughout these meetings, our vintners shared real-world examples of the challenges they are facing in the current environment and the urgent need to regain access to the Canadian market," said Steve Gross, president and CEO of Wine Institute. "Canada has long been an essential trading partner for U.S. wine. Restoring that relationship is critical for wineries, workers, growers and the communities that depend on a strong and competitive wine sector."

Over the course of three days, Wine Institute's face-to-face advocacy reached 25 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, four U.S. senators, dozens of senior Congressional staff, numerous senior administration officials and Canadian provincial representatives. In addition to the Canadian provincial bans on U.S. alcohol, the delegation highlighted support for key U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that are critical to the wine sector and raised concerns about the proliferation of unregulated THC hemp products in the marketplace.

"Every vintner has a unique story to tell about how these policies impact their businesses, employees and communities," said Robin Baggett, Wine Institute board chair and managing partner of Alpha Omega Winery. "When policymakers hear directly from winery leaders, they better understand what is at stake - not just for individual businesses, but for the broader agricultural economy and the communities that support it."

As part of the Washington Meeting, Wine Institute also hosted its annual congressional reception, bringing together members of Congress, staff, administration officials and industry leaders to continue conversations and showcase the California wines the delegation was advocating to protect and promote.

Wine Institute will continue pressing both the U.S. and Canadian governments to work toward a lasting resolution that restores full market access for U.S. wine in Canada.

Members of the Wine Institute delegation meet with Canadian government representatives from Quebec and Ontario. From left to right: Quinlin Gray (Province of Ontario), David Paterson (Ontario's official representative in Washington, D.C.), Gretchen Roddick (Hope Family Wines), Steve Gross (Wine Institute), Robert Capecchi (Province of Ontario)