Program Overview
The Ontario Wines Direct Delivery program allows Ontario wineries to direct deliver approved locally made wines to LCBO stores.
The program’s objectives are to:
Grow and develop regional wines, highlighting Ontario's smaller appellations and emerging regions/trends
Augment the Ontario wine assortment in stores with market potential
Create destination locations for customers interested in a broader assortment of local VQA wines
This program is best suited to products that have a strong local appeal or fill a small or localized niche market.
A wine cannot participate in the direct delivery program and be available for stores to draw from our warehouses at the same time.
Application Process
Click here to find out more about how to register for NISS and acquire a username and password.
Submit an application through NISS into one of the Direct Delivery Program product needs calls, Product Needs Letters | Doing Business with LCBO.
Pre-submission Due Date - The final date which the NISS Submission can be made into the call.
LCBO Callback Date - The date which Category Accepts or Declines products for tasting and review are communicated (via NISS)
Sample Due Date - The date which the sample is due for tasting (final liquid sample needed).
Scheduled Tasting Date - The date all products in the call are tasted and reviewed by Category.
Once a submission is accepted:
Once a product has been tasted and reviewed by Category, you will receive notification of the results via NISS email. If your submission is accepted you will be prompted to provide additional product information:
Provide through NISS (Upload in NTP/Additional Info):
A quote on Supplier letterhead, signed and dated, indicating cost per case and retail price per bottle. Please contact Pricing Administration for any questions related to calculating retail price points. Spirits Pricing Calculator is available at:
Pricing | Doing Business with LCBO
• Upload a file with a picture of the label into the NISS system for Label Examination.
• Confirm UPC and SCC Codes through the NISS system.
• Provide tastings notes.
After the additional information is received and the label is deemed compliant, an LCBO product number will be generated and then you will receive an NTP (Notice to Purchase) via NISS email.
Once the NTP has been issued, it is time for final lab examination. Please do not submit a final lab sample until notified. This sample must be market ready and, in every way, a true representation of what will be delivered to LCBO stores should approval be granted.
The Product Advisor then informs stores of all the products approved for the program and alerts them that wineries may be contacting the stores. Three times a year stores receive a guidebook that outlines basic information on participating wines and provides winery contact info.
Stores will make the listing decision based on their current business needs. Please note that approval to participate in the program allows the winery to approach the desired stores for listing – it does not obligate the store to list the wine. The final listing decision is at the discretion of each individual store manager.
The winery can begin to approach approved stores to solicit listing.
Delivery Procedures
It is the responsibility of the winery to deliver the approved product directly to the selected stores. Wineries must contact store managers directly for repeat orders and to make arrangement for a convenient delivery schedule. Each winery is assigned a unique distributor code to support the payment process.
Suppliers will continue to receive email payment notifications and can get more details on shipments via LCBO Gateway.
Wineries will be reimbursed for the freight cost which is $0.1567/L + HST ($1.4103 + HST per 12 x 750 mL case). This is automatically calculated when payment is processed.
Wineries provide a delivery slip to the receiving store along with each delivery and send a detailed invoice to LCBO Accounts Payable to initiate the payment process including the following:
- Article number
- The number of selling units being shipped
- The number of cases being shipped
- LCBO store number and address
- Shipment date
- Packaging slip/bill of lading must be signed by an LCBO employee as proof of delivery in the event of any discerpancies
Stores receive orders in the same manner as any other product.
Sales Expectation
To continue to be included in the program wines are expected to maintain minimum sales of one case per store per financial reporting period. For a calendar of financial reporting periods please click here.
Participating wineries will be expected to support sales via in-store tastings for both customers and staff.
Vintage Changes
When UPC remains the same: The winery can continue to deliver the wine to stores as they request. Quality Assurance and the Product Manager work together to ensure that each product is tested annually to ensure quality.
When UPC changes with the vintage: Before delivery to stores the winery must contact the Product Manager/Advisor with the new UPC. Once the new code is databased (enabling the barcode to scan in stores) the Product Manager/Advisor will inform the winery that they can now deliver the wine.
Contact Information
For more information about the LCBO’s Ontario Wine Direct Delivery Program or for information on other programs designed specifically for Ontario wineries, please contact:
Akiko Kurakata
Product Advisor (Acting), New World & Ontario Wines, LCBO
100 Queens Quay East, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5E 0C7
Email: akiko.kurakata@lcbo.com
FAQ
Q: I am looking to grow my product with the LCBO, when and how could I be considered for a general listing? What exactly is a general listing compared to this program?
The category management team considers many elements when considering an item for general list. As general listings come with warehouse fulfillment and distribution some aspects considered would include (but not limited to) current product distribution, production capacity, marketing, and sales expectations. If you wish to have a discussion regarding your product(s) and your ability to transition to general listing, please reach out to the respective product manager directly to set up a meeting.
Q: I don’t have an agent; do I require one?
A Supplier may wish to appoint an Agent to represent its interests when dealing with the LCBO. The LCBO is unable to recommend specific Agents. However, as part of your search for an Agent, you may wish to visit the website of Drinks Ontario, a large trade association made up of both large and small agencies. Their website, www.drinksontario.com, lists their members and the products they represent. Please note that not all Licensed Agents in Ontario are members of Drinks Ontario as membership is voluntary.
Q: I am interested in hosting consumer tastings; how do I apply?
The consumer tasting program is application based, promotional, and has applicable fees based on the tasting type. Once you have determined the type of tasting best suited for your product/brand needs, you may apply and once authorized you will select from a list of active locations to conduct your tasting. Important note, the responsibility will fall with the supplier/agent to ensure the store has ordered or has adequate inventory for the event. You may reach out to the store directly prior to the event to determine. All information including further details on all forementioned, how to apply, application deadlines, et cetera may be found here, In-store Tasting Program. All additional requirements and FAQs are listed here, In-store Tasting Requirements, Frequently Asked Questions about Tastings. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the In-Store Tasting Administrator at (416) 864-6758 or instoretastings@lcbo.com. Agents may apply for in-store tastings by completing an online application http://www.lcboaccess.com/trading_partner_access_request/
Q: What is the Ecommerce platform? Are we able to sell our product(s) online through Ecommerce?
Ecommerce is the LCBO’s online store, LCBO.com, available for Ontario consumers to purchase for in store or home delivery fulfillment. DDP products are invited to apply to participate in the program, distributed through a centralized warehouse, Trillium. As with in-store, the responsibility of delivery to our centralized facility lies with the agent/supplier. If you are interested in participation with our Ecommerce platform and would like to be considered for online availability, please contact store0974@lcbo.com.
Q: What is Sale of Data? How do I apply and what information do I receive?
The LCBO Sale of Data (SOD) site provides sales and inventory data to agents 24 hours a day, seven days-a-week. To enable our Trade partners to analyze their business and forecast with greater accuracy, the LCBO will continue to provide data relating to your SKU(s) at no cost. However, access to your competitors’ sales information is a paid-for option. Fees are in CAD. For a full list of data packages and application please review, Sale of Data.
Q: I would like to obtain authorization to deliver directly to licensees and restaurants, how do I apply?
Wineries who wish to supply product directly to licensees or duty free, must contact LCBO Corporate Policy: lcbo-policy@lcbo.com. Additional information and application may be found here, Direct Delivery Program | Doing Business with LCBO.