EP 328 | 2024 The State of BC Wine -With Winemakers, Owners, Wine Growers and Master of Wine Opinions

Mulligan Stew

We're nearing the end of a volatile year in BC Wine. It featured wildfires, floods, COVID, road closures, price, tax and wage increases and two cold snaps over two Winters. Vineyards were damaged or destroyed by the freeze. Wineries and growers were facing a 2025 with little or no wines to cellar and sell. The Wine Industry and Government leadership came up with a plan to allow BC Wineries to harvest next year's fruit this year in Washington, Oregon, California, Ontario and The Cowichan Valley. As long as the label states "Crafted in BC" and the process is transparent. Will BC wine fans buy their favourite labels if the fruit comes from another region? If they like the new juice, will they still embrace their original BC wines? What gets replanted, and what new varietals will we see growing in the new BC? So much to consider. Which is why we've invited four of the most connected leaders from the BC wine industry to share opinions, suggestions and creative ideas over the course of an hour. They are: Cristine Coletta: Co-Owner Okanagan Crush Pad. For 9 years, executive director of the BC Wine Institute! Specialist in marketing and branding wine. www.okanagancrushpad.com DJ Kearney - Wine Director The Terminal City Club. Wine Educator at large. @djwines www.tcclub.com Rhys Pender - Master of Wine. Co-owner of Little Farm Wine. Similkameen Valley www.wineplus.ca Lauren Skinner Buksevics- Director of Sales and Marketing Painted Rock. Okanagan Falls. Member of the Wine Growers of BC Board. @paintedrocklaur @paintedrockwine www.paintedrock.ca www.winebc.com www.totabc.org