Launch of First National Online Directory of Canada's Wineries

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - July 17, 2014) - At their recent annual general meeting, the Canadian Vintners Association (CVA) announced the Wine411 joint project with BlackSquare Inc. to produce the first independent, national online directory of Canada's nearly 800 wineries.

When completed in late 2014, Wine411 will deliver the first comprehensive, accurate and independent online directory of Canada's wineries, cideries and meaderies, from coast to coast.

Wine411's user-friendly directory will be a resource for wineries, travellers and anyone interested in Canadian wineries and wine regions. The online directory will be updated annually, providing comprehensive information on winery contact information, production volumes, varietals, awards received and winemakers, as well as consumer-friendly data on visitor facilities, websites, wine clubs and unique features. Wine411's print-friendly design will further allow users to print all or part of the directory.

Wine411 was conceived and funded jointly by Canadian Vintners Association and BlackSquare Inc., who are committed to a multi-year evolution of the project.

"We are pleased to work closely with BlackSquare Inc. on developing Wine411," said Tony Stewart, CVA Chair and President of Quails' Gate Winery. "Wine411 will help raise the profile of our vibrant Canadian wine industry. I expect this directory to become a go-to resource for a broad range of users."

"Wine411 was an easy decision for BlackSquare. We work with wineries globally and know that every important wine-producing country enjoys some form of national winery directory," said BlackSquare's CEO Matthew Protti. 

"Canada currently has none, so we decided to apply our industry and technology expertise to meet that need. Happily, the CVA independently recognized the need for a national directory, so we joined forces."

Wine411 information is being gathered by personal telephone interviews with all wineries, at no cost to them, to ensure authenticity and accuracy.

"Because wineries have been universally enthusiastic about the directory, we're able to gather authentic, accurate content for Wine411," said Protti.

Rapid growth in the Canadian wine industry triggered the need for the Wine411 online directory. With more than 3 million visitors to Canadian wineries annually, and an annual industry economic impact valued at $6.8 billion, Wine411 will support industry growth and enhance public awareness of Canadian wine.

About the joint project partners:

The Canadian Vintners Association (CVA) is the national voice of the Canadian wine industry, representing more than 90% of Canada's annual wine production. CVA members are engaged in the entire wine value chain: from grape growing, farm management, grape harvesting, research, wine production, bottling, retail sales and tourism. (www.canadianvintners.com)

BlackSquare Inc. created Blackboxx, the most powerful ecommerce technology tailor made for direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales in the global wine and spirits industry. BlackSquare powers efficient, cost-effective DTC sales for wine-producing clients on four continents. BlackSquare is based in Calgary, Alberta, with a subsidiary office in Sydney, Australia and local presence in Vancouver and Hong Kong. (http://blacksquare.ca/) (http://blackboxx.biz/)

Media Resources:

Twitter feed: @CanWine411

Wine411 English information page: http://blacksquare.ca/canadawine411/
Wine411 French information page: http://blacksquare.ca/canadawine411-fr/

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