The B.C. government plans to auction off a number of licences that will allow grocery stores to sell B.C. wine, cider and sake.
On Thursday, Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton introduced Bill 22, the Special Wine Store Licence Auction Act, which, if passed, will award the highest bidders access to a limited number of dormant liquor licences.
But an internal British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI) email, sent to institute members on Tuesday, indicates that at least one grocery store, the Save-On-Foods at 3033 152 St. in Surrey, will be able to start selling B.C. wine as early as April 1 as part of B.C. liquor regulations announced last November.
“The (B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch) has approved (pending final inspection) Save-On-Foods — South Point … for an April 1st launch of BC VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wine on grocery shelves,” wrote Miles Prodan, president of the BCWI. “Still pending & confidential is confirmation of a ‘downtown’ Vancouver location.”
SCOTT BROWN, VANCOUVER SUN MARCH 26, 2015
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