B.C. Wine Industry Welcomes Six New Sub-Geographical Indicators

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced the approval of six new sub-Geographical Indications (sub-GIs) located in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The sub-GIs, recognized as Summerland Valleys, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Bench, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes, and Lake Country, are now protected terms under BC law representing a geographical area of origin for 100% BC VQA wine.

The Okanagan Valley is B.C.’s largest winegrowing region (175 km north to south), comprising 86% of B.C.’s vineyards (9,617 planted acres) and offers a range of diverse soil types, climatic conditions, and resulting styles of wine.

The wine regions of B.C. are identified by ‘Geographical Indications’ (GIs), furthermore by ‘sub Geographical Indications’ (sub-GIs). With a focus on terroir-driven wines, the B.C. wine industry is looking towards recognizing unique growing areas within larger regions as ‘sub-GIs’ to further identify and understand B.C.’s diverse terroir, and to help tell the story of B.C. wine. Once approved, these sub-GIs can then be noted on wine labels to indicate a minimum of 95% of the grapes were grown from the specified region.

British Columbia now features 21 Geographical Indications (10 GIs; 12 sub-GIs):

• British Columbia

• Vancouver Island (1 sub-GI)

  • Cowichan Valley

• Gulf Islands

• Fraser Valley

• Lillooet

• Thompson Valley

• Shuswap

• Okanagan Valley (11 sub-GIs)

  • Lake Country

  • East Kelowna Slopes

  • South Kelowna Slopes

  • Summerland Valleys

  • Summerland Lakefront

  • Summerland Bench

  • Naramata Bench

  • Skaha Bench

  • Okanagan Falls

  • Golden Mile Slopes

  • Golden Mile Bench

• Similkameen Valley

• Kootenays

The creation of a sub-GI is determined based on the science of terroir. Soils, climate conditions, landforms, bodies of water, geographical boundaries are all studied, with results comprised and included in a detailed technical report submitted to the BC Wine Authority. This regulatory process involves collaboration among regional producers to source and submit the proposal to prove defined boundaries and distinct terroir.

British Columbia is becoming globally recognized as a quality wine region producing world-class wines renowned for having bright natural acidity and intense ripe fruit flavours.

As growers and winemakers gain more experience with British Columbian terroir, the nuances and qualities of each unique area starts to become apparent, and the wines continue to gain in complexity and excellence. The approval of these new sub-GIs is a win for both winegrowers and consumers alike.

Read the proposals and technical reports behind each new BC sub-GI at BCVQA.com.

Learn more about each of the wine regions of British Columbia at WineBC.com.

Quick facts:

• This year, British Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) designation celebrates 32 years of quality assurance and 100% BC grown and produced grape wine.

• BC’s wine industry has grown from just 19 grape wineries in 1990 to 284 today.

• There are 11,086 acres (4,486 hectares) of wine grapes in British Columbia’s ten Geographical Indications (GIs): British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Thompson Valley, Lillooet, Shuswap and Kootenays.

• The Okanagan Valley is the largest wine producing region in B.C., with 11 sub-GIs, 186 licensed grape wineries, and 9,617 acres of wine grapes planted.

• The Golden Mile Bench in the Okanagan Valley was B.C.’s first sub-GI established in 2015.

• The B.C. wine industry contributes $2.8 billion annually to British Columbia’s economy.

• Each year, B.C.’s wineries welcome more than 1,000,000 visitors.