February 23, 2026 - In response to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling and its implications for U.S. trade policy, Wine Institute Interim President and CEO Steve Gross issued the following statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling underscores the importance of durable, predictable trade policy for American small businesses and agricultural exporters. As we approach one year since U.S. wines were removed from store shelves across Canada, Wine Institute remains laser focused on expanding export opportunities for American wineries, including restoring access to Canada, our most important export market. We hope the administration will take this opportunity to move toward a resolution and bring an end to the unprecedented Canadian ban on our world-class wines.”
Background
On March 4, 2025, U.S. wine and other alcoholic beverages were pulled from store shelves in key Canadian provinces in response to tariff disputes, disrupting a market that — before the ban — accounted for 36% of all U.S. wine exports and $459.5 million in shipments. As the industry nears the one-year mark, the restrictions continue to create significant disruption for American wineries and the cross-border trade relationships they spent decades building. For more background, see Wine Institute’s fact sheet.
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, the Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine.
Source: Wine Institute
