Wineries in Nova Scotia just got a big boost from the government.
The province has announced a $12-million investment aiming to expand the industry over the next four years.
The contribution will go towards vineyard expansion, wine research, and marketing.
Stewart Creaser, co-owner of Avondale Sky Winery, says this will help bring Nova Scotian wines to the rest of the world.
“The long term benefit would be investing in finding correct export channels. You don’t want to go out an export, you want to focus on the regions of the world where you’ll have the most success.
Discussions on how to divide the money are expected to begin within the next month.
Minister of Agriculture Keith Colwell says job creation was a priority in making this investment.
“They say for every acre of grapes planted – including the planting the grapes, maintaining the grapes, winery work – it creates 1.1 full time jobs.”
He says he hopes to see more youth staying in the province and working in the industry.
The first installment of $3.5 million will be given this year.
