2012 BDO BC Wine Grape Crop Report: Tonnage Increase for Return to More Normal Vintage
(Kelowna, BC) After a few years of challenging vintages, the 2012 BDO BC Wine Grape Crop Report shows that the total tonnage* has returned to normal levels, increasing by 17% over the previous year, from 22,722 tons in 2011 to 27,257 in 2012.
The increased tonnage over last year is great news for consumers who would like to find more BC wine, but it wasn’t a surprise to growers across the province. Vineyard manager Harold Gaudy at Summerhill Pyramid Winery feels that the mild winter that began the season set the way for a good year. “While the rain at the beginning of the year was disappointing, our flowering didn’t occur during the big rains and wasn’t affected.” Gaudy explains that good fruit set prepared the way for a good harvest. The warm temperatures through harvest made for an excellent finish to the vintage.
While many 2012 BC VQA white wines are already in wine stores, consumers must wait until 2014 for most of the red wines, which are showing great promise. The conditions for red wines allowed for great development. BC Grapegrowers’ Association President, Manfred Freese noted, “The resultant full ripening of the berries all but guarantees this will be a superior vintage year for red wines.”
2012 BC Wine Grape Tonnage* by Variety – Top 10
Variety | 2012 Rank | 2012 Total Tons* | Variety | 2011 Rank | 2011 Total Tons* |
Merlot | 1 | 5,636.9 | Merlot | 1 | 4,829.7 |
Chardonnay | 2 | 2,979.6 | Chardonnay | 2 | 2,480.9 |
Pinot Gris | 3 | 2,787.6 | Pinot Gris | 3 | 2,331.0 |
Pinot Noir | 4 | 1,980.9 | Cabernet Sauvignon | 4 | 1,693.5 |
Cabernet Sauvignon | 5 | 1,964.4 | Sauvignon Blanc | 5 | 1,425.8 |
Gewürztraminer | 6 | 1,512.6 | Pinot Noir | 6 | 1,416.9 |
Sauvignon Blanc | 7 | 1,434.5 | Gewürztraminer | 7 | 1,261.8 |
Cabernet Franc | 8 | 1,370.9 | Pinot Blanc | 8 | 1,173.1 |
Syrah/Shiraz | 9 | 1,327.7 | Cabernet Franc | 9 | 1,060.9 |
Riesling | 10 | 1,309.4 | Riesling | 10 | 1,010.9 |
BC Wine Institute Executive Director Miles Prodan is pleased to see growth in the tonnage and BC VQA sales over the last year. “Consumers have continued to support BC VQA wine as the category grows, supporting the great quality and value of 100% BC VQA wines.”
The 2012 BDO BC Wine Grape Crop Report was compiled confidentially by BDO Canada LLP from volunteered information collected from 110 wineries across the province. “As we have compiled the Wine Grape Crop Report since 2008, we have been able to learn more about industry issues and appreciate the focus and drive of BC’s grapegrowers, winemakers and proprietors,” says Ken Davidson, C.A., CFP, Partner at BDO. “BDO is a proud supporter of the BC Wine industry.”
To view the complete report, visit www.WineBC.org/press_room/publications.
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*Tonnage reported in short tons. Participation in this survey is voluntary and unaudited, therefore the tonnages and prices reported may differ from actual industry results and are meant as a guide only.
For further information:
Kate Crothers
Communications Coordinator
tel. 250-762-9744 ext. 103
cell. 250-317-8688
British Columbia Wine Institute
Suite 107 – 1726 Dolphin Avenue
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9R9
phone. 250-762-9744
toll free. 1-800-661-2294
fax. 250-762-9788
About the BC Wine Institute (BCWI)
Since 1990, the BCWI has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing quality wine tourism experiences.
Representing 131 member wineries throughout the province, the BCWI supports and markets the Wines of British Columbia (BC VQA), which gives consumers assurance they are buying a wine that is 100% from BC. The BCWI also markets the Wine Regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of its members.