Wine licences to be auctioned to B.C. grocery stores

More B.C.-made wine could soon find its way into grocery stores around the province if thosestores are able to secure the required licence.

The province plans to auction off six such licences in April, and an additional 12 in the future. Thelicences would allow their holders to sell 100 per cent made-in-B.C. wines ongrocery store shelves.

In order to bid on these licences, stores must meet a number of criteria, including:

• Being at least929 square metres in size.
• Not already being licensed to sell liquor.
• A deposit of $25,000.

Ongoing liquor reforms

The announcement is the latest in a series of liquor reforms in recent years as the province attempts to loosen the laws around licensing.

In May of 2015, the government announced changes allowingVinter Quality Alliance (VQA) and independent wine stores to transfer their licences to eligible grocery stores.

The City of Vancouver has yet to allow the sale of wine in any of its grocery stores.

In December, councillors shot down a pilot project that would allow wine sales in five grocery stores around the city, asking instead for areview of the province's new policies.