Celebrate BC Wine Month
April is BC Wine Month and it’s time to fill those glasses and celebrate our BC Wine Industry!
No official proclamation has been issued yet, so with compassion for the Crown’s current more pressing preoccupations, we are all in agreement that April 2024 is BC Wine Month.
Our story is still in infancy but we have attracted talented winemakers from all over the world and continue to innovate and evolve - a sure sign of a thriving and resilient industry. Our production is low and our exports minimal, yet there is quality to be found in every one of our many Geographical Indications. The diversity of our regions, soils, and wines is truly remarkable. From our quaint 5000 hectares of vineyards we boast light, crisp Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and fragrant delicate whites. We have sparkling wines, buttery Chardonnay and Viognier, and smooth red blends. There are full, opulent reds to make a seasoned wine collector blush, and ice wines that will break the most disciplined cellar master.
Photo Credit: Wines of British Columbia (Painted Rock Winery, Adrian)
We have much to be proud of. We’ve come so far, and yet our greatest accomplishments still lie ahead. That’s why, with the help of all of us, BC’s wine industry will make it through this challenging period.
What challenging period? Oh, just the fact that due to consecutive severe freezing events, BC’s 2024 vine harvest is expected to be 1-3% of average. Not 1-3% below average, just 1-3%. It’s a catastrophic crop loss, but there are already several options being discussed that would sustain producers through a multi-year recovery. The federal government has offered $177 million for Canadian wineries, and in BC there will be up to $70 million available for wineries and fruit producers to aid in replanting.
You can be part of the recovery too. Here are some ways to show your support to BC wineries and help them through the next few years:
Drink BC wine! Can it really be that simple? Every bottle helps. Your local liquor store or wine shop will surely have a significant portion of BC wines, so next time you choose to uncork a bottle, select a BC Wine.
Visit BC wineries. So much more than wine, tasting rooms across this province offer gracious hospitality and service, and often incredible food as well. It’s a quintessential summer experience to visit BC wineries and again there is no shortage of choice. Find our recommendations and better yet, get your BC wine passport which includes complimentary tastings at over 100 locations in the province.
Join a BC wine club. Many wineries offer this service and ship 6 or 12 wines twice or thrice a year. Most allow you to customize the selection as well to suit your taste. Wine club members usually get additional perks like discounts on wine, exclusive experiences, and access to members-only wine releases. For a more adventurous experience, women-owned Gone West Wine Club curates selections from a different Okanagan winery for each release. These come out each month and are opt-in, meaning you only pay for the releases you want. This is much more discovery-driven and they highlight smaller, hidden gem wineries and the stories behind the wines. Summerland-based Carl’s Wine Club is another excellent club which features tons of BC wine in its solely Canadian wine focus. This is also opt-in with releases every couple weeks, and Carl hosts weekly live tasting videos with winemakers to get you all the inside information beyond the bottle.
Spread the word, share your knowledge. I’ve got friends who like wine and have lived in BC their whole lives and can only name fewer than 5 local wineries. Help these poor souls out by introducing them to your favourite BC wines and wineries! Try a blind tasting with family or friends and discover what makes our wines so special.
Whether you celebrate BC Wine Month by enjoying your go-to favourites, exploring new varieties and styles, or connecting with local wineries, let’s all rejoice and get to work rebuilding our next era of BC wine. There’s going to be a lot of heavy lifting - is your glass ready?
This article was written by Matt Tinney, Contributor, uncorkBC.