15 things that changed the BC wine industry in 2011
What's happening in BC wine country? A BCWineLover/CityCaucus.com cross-post
2011 was a watershed year for BC's young and evolving wine industry. Once again cool weather would test the resolve of both veterans and newcomers alike. The mild springs and hot summers British Columbia got used to during the last decade are doing a disappearing act, forcing wineries to adapt to much lower grape yields and in some cases causing inconsistent output.
On the bright side, however, BC wine seemed to shift into a higher gear in terms of its overall quality, and the industry gained respectability and influence both at home and abroad. It's easy to overlook our successes and lose track of the events that are helping to shape BC's wine industry, which is what brings me to write this industry retrospective.
What were the biggest events which impacted British Columbia's wine industry? I present them in ascending order of significance.
#15 Culinary experiences expand in the Okanagan
Two years back BC Wine Lover interviewed local wine pioneer Harry McWatters about what he felt the industry could do to add value to the wine travel experience in our province. His advice – seen in this short video clip – was to increase the number of culinary attractions. "We've had a deficit in great culinary experiences historically, and we're starting to see now a broader range of accommodation," remarked McWatters, who goes on to say the challenge is to expand beyond just the traditional (summer) seasonal business.
To that end, 2011 was the year Okanagan wine country saw an increase in choice for fine dining. In recent years the Naramata Bench has had a couple of options at Hillside Estate Winery and Lake Breeze Vineyards where wine travellers could pair with delicious dinner and lunch dishes.
BCWineChat - Discussing the BC Grape and Wine Industry
If you are reading this post, you are obviously someone interested in BC wine. Maybe you would like to learn more, get more involved or find others who share your love of BC wine, but just don't know how. Well last month BCWineChat was born, a weekly discussion through Twitter under the hashtag #BCWineChat. You can tune in to Twitter every Wednesday evening from 8PM to 9PM PST and you will be able to chat with other BC wine retailers, growers, producers and, most importantly, consumers!
Topics range from legal issues in the BC wine industry (interprovincial wine shipment in Canada, BCLDB regulations for retailers and restaurants) to general topics like BC wine resolutions for 2012. Check the schedule for a list of the upcoming discussions. You can even suggest a BC wine topic you would like to see discussed!
Dan Albas in Ottawa: Getting it done for BC wine producers
Mike Klassen with MP Dan Albas
It's another testament to the power of Twitter. Last summer I was avoiding a little damp weather that rolled over the Okanagan on our vacation, when a Twitter mention came in from someone I was following: @DanAlbas. Don't know why I didn't put it together that Dan was the MP for BC wine country Okanagan-Coquihalla before that moment. Dan suggested we get together for lunch at one of his favourite eateries in Penticton since I was in the area.
It was raining (in July!!) so I begged off from one of our outings with Stacey and our friends Pete and Sharon, and took the 12 minute or so ride from our summer accommodation in Kaledan. I met Dan and was immediately struck by what an immensely friendly and passionate advocate for the Okanagan had been elected to Parliament.
A former Penticton city councillor, Dan had the rather large shoes to fill for Stockwell Day, who had recently left a top cabinet post and stepped down before the federal election earlier this year. Dan introduced me to his plan to put forward a private members bill to end the prohibition of wine sales between provinces in Canada.
Yes, a law that had been put in place to curb illegal alcohol sales during the US prohibition period of the late 1920s was still in place! But we've all heard that private members bills are pointless. How can a rookie in the House of Commons, let alone a backbencher get an old law changed? Perhaps it's Dan's charm, or the fact that most people are just sick of this unnecessary red tape, but it looks like it's only a matter of time before Bill C-311 gets passed.
Here's a quote from Dan's blog:
Last night in the House of Commons my Private Members Bill received all party support and was passed at second reading debate and will know move on to Committee Stage review. In this case the committee in question will be the Finance Committee as the IILA legislation is administered by the CRA. Over the next few months the Finance Committee will call expert witnesses to speak to the Bill and also potentially propose amendments or changes. After Committee Stage the Bill then comes back to the House of Commons for Report and Third Reading. On a personal note it was very rewarding to hear from my colleagues both in the Liberal and NDP Caucus including my fellow BC MP’s Alex Atamanenko, Joyce Murray, Jean Crowder, Ron Cannan and Parliamentary Secretary Cathy McLeod who all spoke very passionately about the need to eliminate trade barriers within Canada and support our Canadian Wine Industry.
Not only is the private members bill ready to be tabled, it's gained unanimous support of the government and opposition!
- Aug 27 2011Winestock returns to Pender Island September 3rd!0
- Aug 10 2011Harry McWatters finds a new place in BC's wine business0
- Aug 3 2011Foodie Tour of Vancouver's Food Carts0
- Jun 7 2011Vancouver to host annual gathering of Canadian chefs0
- Jun 3 2011BCWineLover.com new sponsor! Walnut Beach Resort Osoyoos0
- May 20 2011BC Wine Lover Rides for Cancer Research0
- Mar 9 2011South Okanagan Banée is back!0
- Mar 8 2011Marquis Wine Cellar social media tasting slideshow0
Follow via email, Twitter, Facebook or Flickr