Release:

On March 18, representatives from the Wine Growers Nova Scotia (WGNS) and the Grape
Growers Association of Nova Scotia (GGANS) met with the Premier, other members from
government and the wine sector.

We went into the meeting hopeful that we would hear a willingness from the government to
consult specifically with the farm wine industry and we are pleased that was exactly what was
communicated to us. We appreciate the opportunity to have a discussion and thank the Premier
for listening. We are encouraged by the collaborative spirit demonstrated during the meeting.
We applaud the Premier for pausing the Commercial Wine Support Bottling Program and
launching a collaborative process that ensures farm wineries are at the table.

For more than two decades, our agri-businesses have delivered significant economic impact to
Nova Scotians that is now measured at $245 million in annual economic benefit and more than
150,000 visitors each year. And the vibrancy, investment, community, and opportunity within farm
wine communities stand in stark contrast to the gradual decline seen in many rural areas across
Canada.

Premier Houston stated today that Nova Scotia’s locally grown wine sales have surged by 11%,
marking a significant milestone in the industry’s growth. Emerging wine regions are seeing growth
on the global stage and this remarkable achievement for Nova Scotia grown wine underscores the
potential for further expansion. Nova Scotia wines can and do hold their own against international
competitors, reminiscent of the strong domestic support enjoyed by European wine industries in
their regions, where domestic consumption of local wine often exceeds 90%. The Nova Scotia
farm wine industry is looking forward to collaborating with the provincial government to replicate
this success in our own backyard.

On behalf of both of our boards, we would like to thank all those who stepped up to support the
farm wine industry and continue to do so, including federal and provincial legislators, those from
the tourism and agriculture industries, numerous stakeholders, including mayors, councils,
chambers, associations, businesses, employees, customers and Nova Scotians.
As we move forward in our discussions with the province we will continue to assert that farm
wineries make substantial investments in our local communities with significant economic
impacts and focused on how to nurture and expand our locally grown industry that already draws
tens of thousands of tourists annually, into a $500 million industry, elevating Nova Scotia and
attracting even more attention. The government is listening, and we are committed to working
collaboratively toward a solution that respects the investments the Nova Scotia farm wine sector
has made from coast to coast throughout our province.