Importing
As your agent we are responsible for marketing, promoting, and sales distribution of your wine. We hand-craft buzzworthy marketing campaigns to make sure customers choose your wine.

Getting Your Wine Into the Ontario Market - Things to Know
The LCBO utilizes a structured and systematic approach when considering and reviewing products.

Phase 1: Matching Product Needs
Product needs are established by the LCBO. We carefully select wines from your portfolio that fit into the product needs.

Phase 2: Pre-submission
We submit a strong application which includes a competitive marketing plan.

Phase 3: Initial Decision
The initial decision is made to proceed with further evaluation.

Phase 4: Product Assessment
Organoleptic assessment of taste, smell and impression of product, and Sales and Marketing plan.

Phase 5: Decision
A decision is made to purchase the product.

*Note: This process takes an average of nine weeks.

Why it’s Important to Have a Strong Marketing Plan & Voice
Applications in the first stage are reviewed by the Product Manager, under the supervision of the Category Manager, based on their relevance. The application, along with the marketing plan, and product image are considered against the product needs criteria and other general factors.

Evaluations are based on the following criteria, as well as the overall judgment of the buying teams surrounding the commercial prospects of the product:

• A review of category trends and consumer demand

• The price/quality ratio of a product

• Label and packaging appeal

• The size and type of target audience

• Marketing and promotional plans

• Sales and marketing data from other markets

• Organoleptic assessment (tasting): An LCBO Grading Panel tastes and grades

• Product submissions

• Product differentiation

• Innovation

• Inventory availability/forecasts

• Payment terms

• Third party endorsements

• Responsible consumption usage

• Environmentally friendly packaging/sustainable agriculture/production practices