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I'd guess cost of labor is a major factor.

If you buy any California wine, for instance, it was picked by a migrant worker. Times haven't changed much since Grapes of Wrath, other than it's typically Latino workers rather than Dust Bowl refugees.

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As someone living in an Ontario wine growing region, I can assure you that we bring in plenty of migrant workers every year.

They're still paid more than California labour. And in any case, apart from not needing irrigation, growing conditions here are way more difficult than California. (At least for now). And equipment and input costs also way higher.

(I grow about a 1/2 acre of grapes here in Ontario)

That still wouldn't be a law giving local wines a competitive advantage.

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