Dec 1, 2024
We're nearing the end of a volatile year in BC
Wine.
It featured wildfires, floods, COVID, road closures, price,
tax and wage increases and two cold snaps over two Winters.
Vineyards were damaged or destroyed by the freeze. Wineries
and growers were facing a 2025 with little or no wines to cellar
and sell. The Wine Industry and Government leadership came up with
a plan to allow BC Wineries to harvest next year's fruit this year
in Washington, Oregon, California, Ontario and The Cowichan
Valley.
As long as the label states "Crafted in BC"
and the process is transparent.
Will BC wine fans buy their favourite labels if the fruit
comes from another region?
If they like the new juice, will they still embrace their
original BC wines?
What gets replanted, and what new varietals will we see
growing in the new BC?
So much to consider.
Which is why we've invited four of the most
connected leaders from the BC wine industry to share
opinions, suggestions and creative ideas over the course of an
hour.
They are:
Cristine Coletta: Co-Owner
Okanagan Crush Pad. For 9 years, executive director of
the BC Wine Institute!
Specialist in marketing and branding wine.
www.okanagancrushpad.com
DJ Kearney - Wine Director The Terminal
City Club. Wine Educator at large. @djwines www.tcclub.com
Rhys Pender - Master of Wine. Co-owner of
Little Farm Wine. Similkameen Valley www.wineplus.ca
Lauren Skinner Buksevics- Director of Sales
and Marketing Painted Rock. Okanagan Falls. Member of the
Wine Growers of BC Board. @paintedrocklaur
@paintedrockwine www.paintedrock.ca