What is VQA
The Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) is Canada's appellation of origin system for wines produced in Ontario and British Columbia. VQA certification guarantees that wine meets strict standards for grape origin, variety, vintage, and winemaking practices. Wines must pass analytical and sensory evaluation before carrying the VQA designation. Cepaos tracks your grape sourcing and production data to verify VQA eligibility.
Prerequisites
- Vineyard blocks with Designated Viticultural Area (DVA) assigned in Vineyard > Blocks.
- Harvest records linked to each block with accurate weights.
- Lab results (alcohol, VA, SO2) in the Lab module.
- Cellar book with complete winemaking records.
Step by step
1. Access VQA compliance
In the sidebar, under Compliance, click VQA Compliance. Your current-vintage wines are listed with their origin breakdown.
2. Review origin percentages
For VQA certification, at least 85% of grapes must come from the declared DVA (100% for sub-appellations like Niagara-on-the-Lake).
| Wine | Niagara Peninsula | Prince Edward County | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chardonnay 2026 | 95% | 0% | 5% |
| Riesling Reserve 2026 | 80% | 12% | 8% |
The Riesling Reserve does not meet the 85% threshold for Niagara Peninsula.
3. Check varietal and vintage rules
VQA requires 85% minimum for single-variety claims and 85% for vintage year. Cepaos checks all three thresholds simultaneously.
4. Generate VQA application
Click Generate VQA Application. Cepaos produces a document with:
- Origin percentages with traceability proof.
- Varietal composition.
- Analytical results summary.
- Production volume.
5. Submit for tasting
Download the application and submit it along with wine samples to the VQA authority in your province.
6. Record VQA approval
After certification, enter the VQA number in Cepaos. It appears on all labels and shipping documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cepaos cover both Ontario and BC VQA?
Yes. Select your province in Settings and Cepaos applies the correct rules and DVA list.
What about Icewine certification?
Cepaos tracks harvest temperature data. If the grapes were picked at or below -8 degrees C, the system flags the lot as Icewine-eligible.