Destination BC & Wine Growers BC Experiences: Sip, Smile, and Stay Awhile

Ten wineries across the province have developed completely new wine tourism experiences as part of the Cultivating Experiences: Elevating BC Wine Tourism program. Working with Wine Growers British Columbia and Destination BC in partnership with Firecircle, and supported by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), the wineries have been hard at work over the past few months with the goal of bringing their offerings from vision to market this summer.

The Cultivating Experiences program represents Wine Growers BC and Destination BC’s united effort to promote the province as a destination for incredible tourism experiences.

The program provided virtual workshops, valuable market research, and mentorship for each participant winery to ultimately launch a unique wine tourism experience. These Cultivating Experiences winery offerings are the latest added to the plethora of options available to those exploring BC wine country this summer:

• Monte Creek Winery, Thompson Valley, Long Table Dinner Series

• Maverick Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, Intimate Dinner Series

• Mythology Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, Sip, Savour & Create Mediterranean Experience, launching soon

• Joie Farm Winery, Naramata Bench, Aikin’s Walk the Loop Tour Experiences, launching soon

• Da Silva Vineyards & Winery, Naramata Bench, Terroir Sessions

• Township7 Vineyards and Winery, Fraser Valley & Naramata Bench, Saber & Sip: The Art of Sabrage at both locations

• Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery, South Okanagan Valley, Flavour, Texture & Time

• Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Vancouver Island, A Sparkling Day in Cowichan

• Unsworth Vineyards, Vancouver Island, A Sparkling Day in Cowichan

• Culmina Family Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, Wine & Art event

View announcement →

Wine Growers BC 2025 Operational Plan

Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) recently released its Fiscal 2025 Operational Plan. This year, the plan is focuses on five key Board-approved objectives:

• Build a world-class brand for Wines of British Columbia

• Position BC as a premier wine region with trade

• Make BC wine country a benchmark for wine tourism

• Strengthen wine industry leadership

• Leverage government advocacy efforts

In consideration of the challenges facing the BC wine industry, the Annual Operational Plan has been developed to address the current environment while still retaining the flexibility necessary to help industry and member wineries meet new and emerging challenges.

View Plan

BC Wine Month - Here's how to get involved, including free online certification

The provincial government proclaimed April 2024 as BC Wine Month for the seventh year.

Wineries are excited to welcome guests this spring and summer and share an abundance of 100% BC wines.

Wineries are hosting tastings, tours and paired dining experiences, as well as yoga, painting and concerts. View winery events and start planning a visit at WineBC.com.

Restaurants and wine shops that serve BC wines are listed on the Pour More BC webpage.

Wine Growers BC are offering the Wines of BC Ambassador Program first level, complimentary for the month. Level One is an online certification course with valuable information on BC wine history, varieties, styles, unique climate, and food pairing expertise. Get certified now – $99 value offered complimentary (promo code BCWINE24) for BC Wine Month.

Want to spread the word? Follow along all BC Wine Month on social media @WinesofBC and tag #BCWineMonth in your BC wine adventures this season.

See Wine Growers BC announcement →

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.

Monte Creek Ranch Winery Wins Best White Wine of the Year Award

Kamloops, BC – July 29, 2020: Monte Creek Ranch Winery is pleased to announce that nine wines were awarded medals at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships, including Best White Wine of the Year for their 2018 Thompson Valley Reserve Riesling in this national level wine competition.

• Best White Wine of the Year: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Reserve Riesling

• Gold: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Reserve Chardonnay

• Gold: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Varietal Series Chardonnay

• Gold: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Varietal Series Riesling

• Gold: 2019 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Hands Up White

• Gold: 2017 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Hands Up Red

• Silver: N/V Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Fruit Sparkling ‘Split Decision’

• Silver: 2017 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

• Silver: 2017 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Varietal Series Cabernet Merlot

Erik Fisher, General Manager of Monte Creek Ranch Winery, said: “I couldn’t be more of proud of our winemaking and viticulture teams. It takes a tremendous amount of focus and precision to make great wines. I see the dedication on a daily basis but this recognition is a testament to the skill and hard work that goes into making a wine this special.”

Winemaker Galen Barnhardt noted: “The 2018 Thompson Valley Reserve Riesling is crafted from fruit grown on our two vineyards here in the South Thompson Valley. Riesling is well adapted to our hot summers and cold winters here in the South Thompson, and we feel the future is bright for this variety in our region.”

About the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships
The 40th annual judging of the All Canadian Wine Championship 2020 was completed on July 24, 2020. The field of entries included 805 wines from 130 wineries throughout Canada, including those in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Judges were comprised of the most experienced and unique pool of wine industry professionals including sommeliers, wine educators, bloggers, and members of the media. For more information visit: AllCanadianWineChampionships.com

About Monte Creek Ranch Winery
The Kamloops, BC area’s largest winery features award-winning wines, seasonal al fresco patio  dining, and stunning river valley views. It was voted Kamloops’ Best Winery and Wedding Venue in 2020. Monte Creek Ranch Winery’s winemaking philosophy is to showcase the terroir of the South Thompson valley, where they produce Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other premium wines.

Wines are available at the winery, on the Monte Creek Ranch website, and at selected retail locations. The winery is also open for tastings daily until the end of September.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Marketing Manager
Danielle Belcourt
danielle@montecreekranch.com
MonteCreekRanch.com