Wine Experience at Info Centres

Tourists can now pick up a bottle of Nova Scotia wine when they stop for information at the Yarmouth, Amherst and Port Hastings visitor information centres.

The centres are among 10 owned by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. Nova Scotia wines are being sold in their gift shops which are operated by Island Beach Company.

"This is an excellent way to promote Nova Scotia products that are part of the visitor experience," said Len Goucher, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Food and wine are among our visitors' key interests. Making the products easier for tourists to buy in our visitor information centres helps provide the authentic Nova Scotia experience they're looking for."

Wines from Jost, Grand Pré and Lunenburg wineries are on the shelves in these gift shops. Products from other Nova Scotia wineries may soon be sold as well.

"Having local wines available in gift shops at visitor information centres makes the fact that we have a wonderful growing wine industry in Nova Scotia more real to tourists and it's already stimulating sales for us," said Hans Christian Jost, owner of Jost Vineyards in Malagash.

"We know of many tourists who speak to travel counsellors in the centre, then browse through the gift shop where they find Nova Scotia wines, and return to the travel counsellors to get more information about visiting our wine region."

During the second annual Discover the Wines of Nova Scotia Tour, which started in September, visitors can stroll through vineyards, sample wines and learn about pairing wine with food. Events are happening at vineyards and restaurants across the province until Oct. 27. Dates and locations are listed on the Nova Scotia Wineries Association's website at www.winesofnovascotia.ca .

Last summer, the department ran a pilot project with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation and Island Beach Company to test the sale of Nova Scotia wine, beer and liquor in the Yarmouth visitor information centre gift shop. The wines were the most popular choice among visitors.

Island Beach Company was awarded a contract to operate the three gift shops in Yarmouth, Amherst and Post Hastings in 2007.