Innovation in the Canadian Wine Industry: Evidence from Three Wine-Producing Regions

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate if and how different regional conditions influence innovation patterns in the Canadian wine industry. The empirical analysis draws from an original survey at the firm level and compares the regions of Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec. The results show that, contrary to expectations, firms innovate very similarly in the three wine-producing regions in spite of substantial historical and territorial differences. Therefore, distinct regional characteristics do not lead to variations in innovation in the Canadian wine industry.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Ministry of Research and Innovation of Ontario for funding this project. They also greatly acknowledge David Rangdrol for his comments and suggestions. The usual disclaimers apply.

Notes

A straightforward environmental consideration is that of urban density: wineries cannot locate in urban areas, unlike, say, machine-tool manufacturers.

Therefore, this article does not define the Canadian wine-producing regions as regional clusters or intends to demonstrate how these regions fit into a cluster.

Liquor Control Board of Ontario, BC Liquor Store and Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ).

The same latitude as Bordeaux in France and the Northern wine-producing regions of California.