NEWS: Sen. Schiff Pushes to End Québec Restrictions on California Wine, Restore American Imports

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is fighting to end Québec's current restrictions on the importation and sale of wines from California and other parts of the United States.

Schiff wrote to Québec Premier Christine Fréchette acknowledging the impacts of President Trump's harmful trade policies but emphasizing Québec's long-standing relationship built on mutual economic benefit and unrestricted trade.

"Québec consumers have historically enjoyed access to a wide variety of American wines, and their absence limits choice in the marketplace, while cutting off a $434 million market. Unfortunately, the restriction on American wine has had damaging consequences for regional consumers, businesses, and producers who have no influence over national policies. In fact, I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to and voted against the President's harmful trade policies, including as they pertain to Canada," the Senator wrote.

Senator Schiff also highlighted the significant impact of Québec's restrictions on consumer choice and California wineries.

"Reopening the market to American wine would restore consumer choice and signal a commitment to restoring fair and balanced trade for Québecois consumers and American wineries who have no connection to the underlying trade disputes," the Senator continued.

Background:

Schiff is the first senator from California to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in over 30 years.

To support California's winemakers, he is also pushing USDA to provide emergency funding to address the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter in California, which threatens wine grapes and table grapes.

Recently, Senator Schiff introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to strengthen resilience in our domestic food supply chains and expand markets for producers. He also introduced legislation to increase food banks' access to fresh produce to provide nutritious food for families and support specialty crop farmers.

In June, the Senator introduced six new pieces of legislation aimed at expanding support and market access for specialty crop farmers and to level the playing field for California growers in the upcoming Farm Bill.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Premier Fréchette:

Thank you for your recent visit to Washington and your work to promote U.S.-Québec trade relations. I am writing today to express my strong support for lifting Québec's current restrictions on the importation and sale of American wine.

The United States and Québec share a long-standing relationship grounded in trade, cultural exchange, and mutual economic benefit. As you know, the U.S. is the top export market for Québec and received 73.5 percent of Québec's exports in 2024, worth $91.2 billion. The United States is also Québec's largest supplier, accounting for 33.3 percent of total imports in past years.

Québec consumers have historically enjoyed access to a wide variety of American wines, and their absence limits choice in the marketplace, while cutting off a $434 million market. Unfortunately, the restriction on American wine has had damaging consequences for regional consumers, businesses, and producers who have no influence over national policies. In fact, I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to and voted against the President's harmful trade policies, including as they pertain to Canada. As a U.S. Senator on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have had the great fortune of spending time with and learning about the challenges and opportunities of California's winegrowers. They take great pride in their work, are essential to the state and national economy, and have brought tremendous value - in culture and in taste - to Americans and Canadians alike.

Reopening the market to American wine would restore consumer choice and signal a commitment to restoring fair and balanced trade for Québecois consumers and American wineries who have no connection to the underlying trade disputes. I hope to visit with you and other Canadian leaders about this and other issues during an official visit to Canada in October of this year. I welcome the opportunity to engage in dialogue and work collaboratively toward a resolution.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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