As of April 1, 2026 Alberta has eliminated the ad valorem wine tax and moved to a fully volume-based markup. Blasted Church Vineyards has aligned the charges in our online store accordingly, so what you see at checkout reflects the new policy.

While the Alberta government did introduce a modest increase to the base rate, this change removes a structure that disproportionately impacted higher-value wines, like BC VQA bottles (including ours). In other words, a little less punishment for drinking well.

The updated markup has increased from $4.11/L to $4.69/L, which translates to $3.52 per 750ml bottle. As of April 1, the additional ad valorem tax on this base tax is cancelled, lowering the overall tax rate for thirsty Albertans.

We’ll be honest: it’s never our favourite sermon when wine gets singled out in policy discussions. That said, this shift is a meaningful improvement. It brings greater predictability and stability, helping us continue sending great bottles your way without too many plot twists.

And there’s more good news. On April 17, 2026, British Columbia and Alberta agreed to extend their memorandum of understanding, allowing BC wineries to continue shipping directly to Alberta consumers. The agreement is now in place through March 31, 2027. It’s music to our ears (and hopefully yours, too).

Many of our Alberta customers are part of the Flock, enjoying complimentary shipping and 10% off all wine purchases. If you’re planning an order, it’s a natural way to get a little extra value with every case. Learn more about membership perks of the Flock, and sign up online here.

A Little Background (The “Before Times”)

In 2025, the Alberta government, through the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), introduced an ad valorem markup structure on wine—without consultation with the wine industry.

This system added a percentage-based markup on top of existing flat taxes, increasing costs for Alberta consumers and small businesses. It also created challenges for Canadian wineries and ran counter to broader efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.

The additional markup ranged from:

• 5% for wines valued between $15–$20 per litre
• 10% for wines valued between $20–$25 per litre
• 15% for wines valued above $25 per litre

In practice, this meant most wines over $11.25 per 750ml bottle were affected.

Unsurprisingly, the policy was widely opposed by a coalition of Canadian wineries, restaurants, retailers, agents, and hospitality businesses, all advocating for a return to a fairer system.

As of April 1, 2026, Alberta has officially removed the ad valorem tax and returned to a fully volume-based markup. Blasted Church Vineyards has aligned the charges in our online store accordingly, so what you see at checkout (as AGLC Tariff) reflects the new policy.