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NIAGARA, ONTARIO and OKANAGAN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 29, 2011) -

Attention: Food, Lifestyle and Business Editors

This year will be a strong year for wineries in Canada's biggest wine producing regions, according to some of the countries top producers. In 2010, revenue from wine sales topped $900 million as Canadian producers look to own their own backyard, and capitalize on growing opportunities in China.

John E. Peller, President and CEO, Andrew Peller Limited, Gordon Fitzpatrick, President, Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Norm Beal, President, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery, joined David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal today in a roundtable discussion and outlook for Canada's wine industry.

"Despite a challenging market, Canadian vintners continue to win over consumers with high quality, distinctive wines at competitive prices" said David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Wineries output has grown at an average annual rate of 7.6 per cent since 1998, much faster than the overall beverage sector at 1 per cent. Going forward we anticipate that Canadian wineries will continue to maintain their position in Canada while showcasing their quality products in new markets," added Rinneard.

Highlights from the panel include:

• With the growth of its middle class, China has become a growing market for Canadian wines, compiling 20 per cent of Canada's wine exports, second only to the U.S.
• The wine consumer is "winning", with prices for good wines being driven down by the recession
• The high Canadian dollar has helped wine producers, making for cheaper equipment imports such as a glass and barrels
• Canadian vintners have room to grow in their own backyard: Canadians consume half of the per capita levels of consumers in the UK
• There is a cultural shift occurring, with growing demand from aging boomers and increasingly popularity of wine among the younger generation