After Alberta’s temporary boycott of BC wine, the BC government is showing it’s support for the industry by declaring April as BC Wine Month.

“B.C.’s wine industry is made up of family-run vineyards and wineries that have chosen farming and wine-making as their passion and their profession,” said Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham. “In addition to delivering fantastic wine, they also provide good jobs in communities throughout the province, and we are proud to shine a spotlight on the work they do and the wine they make. We told British Columbians we would fight for our wine-making community, and devoting an entire month to B.C. wines is a wonderful way to do just that.”

Along with the proclamation of B.C. Wine Month in April, other government initiatives in support of B.C.’s wine industry include:

  • Increased opportunities to have B.C. wines in local BC Liquor Stores, including local wines from small and medium producers that are not typically available outside of the wineries.
  • Promotion throughout the month with storefront displays.
  • A greater variety of in-store tastings of B.C. wines.
  • Funding for an expansion of the Buy BC: Eat Drink Local campaign, to further develop partnerships between the BC Wine Institute and the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Services Association.
  • Funding to support the marketing of BC VQA wines to new international markets.

DID YOU KNOW…

  • B.C. is home to 929 vineyards, including over 350 licensed wineries.
  • There are just under 3,900 hectares of wine grapes grown in B.C.
  • Over 75 different grape varieties are produced in the province, including Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
  • In 2016, B.C. wine exports increased 4% over the previous year to $9.7 million shipped to 17 international markets.
  • Ice wine exports were $1.8 million of the total.
  • The top markets for B.C. wine were China (54%), Taiwan (23%) and the United States (11%).
  • These initiatives in support of B.C.’s wine industry will be developed in the context of B.C.’s existing trade obligations.
  • Numbers produced by the Ministry of Agriculture show the industry–which employs 12,000 workers–is worth almost three billion dollars a year to the BC economy.
  • There are 800,000 winery visitors each year.

(Facts provided by the BC Government and the BC Wine Institute)

On behalf of the team at Monte Creek, we would like to thank the BC Government for taking quick action to support and protect the industry that we drink, sleep and breathe. We’d also like to thank all of our customers and clients to continue to support us daily. We raise a glass to each and every one of you. CHEERS!

Learn More:

BC Wine Institute: http://www.winebc.com/

BC Liquor Stores: http://www.bcliquorstores.com/