SAN FRANCISCO - The Province's international trade and investment network and the British Columbia Wine Institute are teaming up to promote B.C. VQA's award-winning wines and vintners at one of the world's most prestigious food and beverage shows.

For the first time, select VQA wines from B.C. will be showcased during the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, a key gathering for the California wine trade, sommeliers, restaurateurs and media. This evening's event will include a guided tasting by Vancouver sommelier and chef DJ Kearney and remarks from Cassie Doyle, Consul General of Canada, San Francisco-Silicon Valley.

The event is co-hosted by the B.C. Wine Institute, which builds and markets the Wines of British Columbia brand, and the Province's trade and investment office in Palo Alto, California. British Columbia's international trade and investment network works to open and expand markets for the province's goods and services, one of the pillars of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. California is a key market for B.C. VQA wines and the United States is the world's largest retail wine market - and one of the fastest growing. Americans consumed over $32 billion worth of wine in 2011, the 18th consecutive year the market expanded.

The B.C. Wine Institute and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training's Tourism Division also work together to promote the province's wineries and vineyards to wine-loving travellers. HelloBC.com features 119 wineries and 23 wine tour experiences.

The three-day Winter Fancy Food Show, which draws over 17,000 attendees and features 80,000 of the world's finest foods and beverages, wraps up tomorrow.

Quotes:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell -

"Our international trade and investment network and this partnership with the British Columbia Wine Institute allows us to promote our wines as great additions to any wine lover's cellar - and our vineyards and wineries as must-sample tourist destinations."

Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick -

"B.C. wines are winning medals and winning over consumers at shows and tastings, and exports of our high-quality wines are growing in volume in markets all over the world. The potential for exports to U.S. wine lovers is huge."

British Columbia Wine Institute Executive Director Miles Prodan -

"This is a first for us in this vital market. We're thrilled to be showcasing British Columbia's standout VQA wines to key industry and wine, food and travel media at this year's Winter Fancy Food Show."

Learn More:

To find out more about British Columbia's international trade and investment network, visit: www.BritishColumbia.ca

B.C. VQA is an appellation of origin system that guarantees authenticity and quality standards for B.C. wines. Visit: www.winebc.com to learn more.

HelloBC.com's winery listings and tour experiences can be uncorked here: http://www.hellobc.com/british-columbia/things-to-do/food-wine-relaxation/wineries-vineyards.aspx

The BC Winery Touring Guide is available at Visitor Centres and B.C. VQA wine stores and online through HelloBC.com's free travel guide order page at: https://www5.hellobc.com/brochures/

To find out more about BC Jobs Plan visit: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 356-8177