Wine lovers around Canada will be able to take cases of their favourite bottles across provincial borders for personal use, but winemakers in the Cowichan Valley say a new bill passed in the House of Commons Wednesday doesn't go far enough to loosen restrictions on cross-border booze swapping. 

A private member's bill on interprovincial shipments still restricts winemakers from sending large amounts of wine to private interests in other provinces.

Vineyard owners in the Cowichan Valley are not nearly as impressed with the bill as the politicians who passed it.

Averill Creek Vineyard owner Andy Johnston told SunFM News the legislation does little to amend the provincial liquor controls holding his business back.

“I think the whole liquor control situation should be tossed out the door, absolutely. I mean how can they, under my constitutional rights, restrict my ability to ship anywhere in Canada?”

Cherry Point Estates Owner, Xavier Bonilla, agreed that the bill does nothing to amend the restrictions on interprovincial trade.

“It is a joke I see, free trade is free trade, Duncan to Cobble Hill should be exactly the same as Duncan to Alberta.”

The vineyard owners believe a lot still needs to change for them to be able to produce and trade their wine anywhere in Canada.

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