As LCBO stores enter a second week of closure due to strike action, local wine suppliers and wineries say it’s “kickstarting” business.
Nicastro’s La Bottega in the ByWard Market sells more than 200 bottles of specialty imported Italian wines for takeout, as well as a selection of Italian liqueurs. And because La Bottega is supplied by private importers, the family-owned business hasn’t had issues with supply. Instead, sales are through the roof.
Owner Pat Nicastro says sales of take-home bottles have doubled since the LCBO strike began just over a week ago and he is encouraging Ottawans to explore independent, locally-owned options for their wine needs.
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“People have said they’re happy there’s another option and the nice thing is that they’re seeing wines that are not at the LCBO,” he said. “In our opinion, Italy is the best wine region in the world, so we’re happy to let people try some things they wouldn’t have tried otherwise.
“We’re hoping we’re building new clients who get to be introduced to Italian wines,” Nicastro continued. “People knew we had wine, but now they need new options and they’re coming to see what we have.”
The wines are sold with a restaurant liquor licence, allowing customers to buy wine to take home with their meal, and Nicastro has been stocking everything from vintage bottles, some of which are $200 per bottle, to standard Italian wine for $15 or $20 a bottle. The wines also complement the food selection at La Bottega, which he said is a great combination.
“We’re showcasing all kinds of different areas in Italy and, for us, it’s a perfect match because they can take home food and match it with a beautiful bottle of wine,” he explained.
Colio Estate Wines, a Peterborough winery, has two retail locations in Kanata and one on Merivale Road and says the Ottawa stores have seen sales triple since the LCBO strike began.
Troy Ireland manages both Ottawa locations and says that the strike has “pushed business through the roof.”
“To say that sales have been impacted would be to downplay it,” he told OBJ Monday. “It’s been a heck of a lot crazier than I could have thought.”
The Kanata store opened only a month ago and Ireland said the recent increase in sales has been “free marketing” by “putting the word out for us.”
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive as we’ve increased business, but we’re also building repeat customers,” he explained. “They’re looking for wine and come check us out and they’re coming back.”
In addition to the wine made by Colio Estate, the Merivale location also sells VQA bottles, which Ireland said has also drawn in new customers.
“People are coming here for the necessity of not finding any anywhere else and then they get to try our product,” he said. “While (the strike) is unfortunate for a lot of people, for us, on a smaller scale, it’s been like the holiday season.”
Even after LCBO outlets reopen, Nicastro said he hopes the strike encourages Ottawans to expand their palates and support local businesses rather than the familiar retailer.
“It’s not only us — there are bottle shops and restaurants doing the same and it’s an opportunity here,” said Nicastro. “We’re selling most of the stuff that you don’t find at the LCBO anyways, so we’re giving them more options and they’re supporting local, independently owned businesses, not a government monopoly.
“We’ve always had our wine selection here and we’re going to continue. Hopefully this just opens up even more opportunities for local business,” he continued. “Maybe this is the kickstart that we needed.”
