With a focus on bouncing back and starting anew, winemakers from all over B.C. gathered in the Okanagan on Wednesday to talk about what lies ahead.
“It’s a chance to see what’s happening,” Wine Growers BC president and CEO Miles Prodan mentioned during the sixth annual meeting.
“And it’s especially important this year, considering the challenges we’ve faced after the last two freezes.”
The one-day conference in Penticton, named the Insight Conference, was organized by the B.C. wine industry.
Farmers have been asking the province for financial assistance following this year’s devastating crop loss.
Some of that call for help was answered, with Premier David Eby announcing a $70-million replant program.
The new funding adds to the $15-million perennial crop renewal program that started last spring.
“The province of British Columbia is going to aid B.C. vineyards and fruit growers in replanting with more support than before,” Agriculture and Food Minister Pam Alexis mentioned.
However, the discussion on Wednesday also touched on tourism.
“The wine industry is a crucial part of how people travel in the province and why people travel to B.C., and where they go in the province,” Maya Lange of Destination BC said.
“Kelowna is currently the fastest-growing city in Canada. A large part of that is the lifestyle,” Wine Growers Canada president Dan Paszkowski mentioned.
“People are moving here because they want to be near the vineyards or wineries.
“The added value of the wine industry to Kelowna, Penticton, and the entire Okanagan Valley revolves around the wine and grape industry to a great extent. And it hasn’t reached its full potential yet.”
Paszkowski points out that three decades ago, California's Napa Valley was a small community, but now it's a thriving area. And the Okanagan could follow the same path.
“A bottle of wine, a liter of wine produced in British Columbia contributes around $105 to the local and national economy,” he said.
“Compare that to an imported bottle of wine that provides around $15 a liter. That’s a significant difference.
“So if we can revitalize the industry, that will contribute to the British Columbia economy and the well-being of all British Columbians and Canadians.”
Also, on Wednesday, Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell mentioned that the province is working on policy changes to improve visitor experiences at wineries and other liquor manufacturing sites.
“This includes being able to offer better guided tour experiences where people can sit and enjoy a glass of wine while on a tour,” Russell said.
“It allows sales in more places on site, including during tours. It includes allowing more flexibility around sampling so manufacturers can personalize the sampling experiences.
“It allows manufacturers to sell products in picnic areas and host people more effectively. All of this will make it clear that it’s fine to bring a glass of wine from one area to another.”
Industry leaders say the assistance is good news, but there’s still a long journey to recovery ahead.
Russell said that they are actively working on different aspects of the government side to help support the sector in the region, and officials have been involved in many conversations.
The government wants to ensure that they understand the opportunity and vision, and are making every effort to figure out how to deliver on them.
