British Columbians are being encouraged to discover, share and choose B.C. wines through a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the BC Wine Institute.

April is BC Wine Month — a chance to celebrate and support B.C.'s grape growers and winemakers.

“B.C.’s vineyard owners and winemakers produce award-winning wines, while providing good jobs and economic benefits to their communities,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “Our government is committed to helping winemakers create and expand markets for their products internationally, and in our home province, which remains, by far, the most important market for B.C. wines.”

Along with the proclamation of BC Wine Month in April, the Province has committed $100,000 to the BC Wine Institute to help in the promotion of B.C. wine to British Columbians.

“We are grateful for provincial support to promote the many B.C. grape growers and wineries, most of which are small, family-owned and operated businesses, here at home,” said Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the BC Wine Institute. “Celebrating all things grown, crushed, raised and produced in B.C., we are working with restaurants, retail liquor stores, tourism organizations — including Destination BC — and wineries themselves throughout the province in a collaboration of efforts to support BC Wine Month.”

April’s BC Wine Month campaign will showcase the world-class wines that are produced in B.C.’s recognized wine regions. British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) wine will be featured in 119 BC Liquor Stores. There will be sommeliers and chefs teaming up for wine and food-pairing events in all 18 BC VQA wine stores and multi-chef collaborative BC VQA wine-paired dinners.

There will also be a sweepstake competition. The grand prize is an all-inclusive trip for two to the Chef Meets BC Grape Taste of the Okanagan signature event in the heart of B.C.’s wine country.

B.C. Wine Month will also tie into Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL, a dine-out campaign run by the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association. This promotion involves B.C. restaurants and bars highlighting local foods and beverages to customers during May 2018, so British Columbians can experience restaurant takes on B.C.-grown and produced food and beverages.

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is home to 929 vineyards, including more than 350 licensed wineries.
• There are 4,130 hectares of wine grapes grown in B.C.
• More than 60 grape varietals are produced in the province, including Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
• In 2016, B.C. wine exports increased 4% over the previous year to $9.7 million, and were shipped to 17 international markets.
• The top international markets for B.C. wine in 2016 were China (54%), Taiwan (23%) and the United States (11%).
• B.C.’s wine industry employs about 12,000 people, and contributes approximately $2.8 billion per year to the B.C. economy.

Learn More:

BC Wine Institute: www.WineBC.com

BC Liquor Stores: www.BCLiquorStores.com

April is BC Wine Month news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018AGRI0010-000209

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL: http://www.eatdrinklocal.ca/