With American tariffs hitting hard, the push to support local businesses has never been stronger. For Ontario’s wine and distillery industries, this moment presents a golden opportunity to encourage Canadians to explore their own backyard instead of looking south for wine and spirit getaways.
Did You Know? Ontario’s Wine and Distillery Industry is a Tourism Powerhouse
Ontario isn’t just home to world-class wines—it’s also emerging as a premier destination for craft distilleries. Each year, over 2.6 million visitors explore the province’s vineyards, contributing more than $1.04 billion to the economy. By 2030, annual visitation is projected to climb to 3 million, reinforcing the demand for unique tasting experiences.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s craft distilleries are also thriving, attracting spirit enthusiasts eager for locally produced whiskey, gin, and vodka. As of 2024, the province boasts 117 distilleries, contributing significantly to the local economy. The craft spirits sector has seen substantial growth, with domestic spirit sales reaching approximately $1.1 billion in 2023. Many distilleries are also integrating tourism experiences, with tasting rooms, tours, and cultural events drawing increasing numbers of visitors to local craft spirit destinations. The Distillery District in Toronto, for example, is a major tourism hub, demonstrating the potential for distillery tourism to grow across the province.
With increasing competition from other Canadian wine and spirits regions—like British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley or Quebec’s Charlevoix—Ontario vineyards and distilleries must enhance their marketing efforts to stand out and capture more of this growing market.
Why Go Local with Your Advertising?
At Ad Ops House, we’re a Canadian ad agency that believes in supporting local businesses first. Just like our world-class wineries and distilleries, we know that success comes from deep community roots. Our expertise in targeted digital advertising, SEO, and social media marketing can help your vineyard or distillery:
✅ Attract more domestic tourists looking for authentic Ontario wine and spirit experiences ✅ Compete with U.S. destinations through strategic online campaigns ✅ Maximize exposure on Google, Facebook, and Instagram to drive bookings ✅ Build a loyal audience of wine and spirit lovers who choose local over imported
The Time to Act is Now
With travel preferences shifting and more Canadians looking to support homegrown businesses, there’s never been a better time to amplify your marketing efforts. Ontario wines and spirits are world-class—let’s make sure Canadians know it.
Are you ready to put your vineyard or distillery on the map? Let’s work together to bring more visitors to your tasting rooms, tours, and events.