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When the province announced they’d be corking their plans for a subsidy program targeting the wine bottling industry, grape growers felt their concerns had been heard.

“No grudges from us,” said Steve Ells, President of Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia. “We just want to move on and focus on growing our industry which currently generates $250 million annually, to $500 million,”.

Ells is pleased to see the government listen to the concerns shared by many local growers who felt the legislation would have effectively subsidized grapes grown outside of Nova Scotia.

“This government was big on buying local and supporting local, so I think their recognition to pause this policy just makes sense given that outlook,” said Ells.

Industry hopeful of a good growing season

Ells spoke with us as he was tending to his vines on the first day of spring and said the early signs are pointing to a good year. “It’s unlikely we are going to set any records this year as many vines are still recovering from the polar vortex event that took place last winter, however, the weather is cooperating and giving us what we like to see at this time of the year,”.

Ells says it is still early but it’s possible some growers could see a ‘bumper crop’ this year which is characterized as an unusually productive harvest.