Media Releases

For Immediate Release:
April 1, 2019

BRITISH COLUMBIA – The BC Wine Institute (BCWI) welcomes the return of April BC Wine Month with a series of wine tastings, educational seminars, promotions and events province-wide to celebrate the quality and diversity of BC wine!

Last year, the BC government proclaimed April as the official province-wide wine month, encouraging all British Columbians to discover, share and choose 100 per cent BC wines. Resulting in record-high British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) wine sales in April 2018, the BC Wine Institute is anticipating another strong showing in 2019.

“The local support we see during April BC Wine Month is tremendous and today we are thrilled to continue this genuine celebration of BC farm to glass,” says Miles Prodan, President & CEO of the BC Wine Institute. “BC’s wine industry is maturing and thriving and there has never been a better time to visit BC wine country. BC Wine Month allows wine lovers to explore our diverse wine growing regions and enjoy what’s in their glass, which is a representation of 100 per cent British Columbia.”

The April BC Wine Month campaign will showcase the world-class 100 per cent BC wines produced in BC VQA’s recognized nine wine regions and encourage consumers to take advantage of special events, new BC wine spring releases, local wine and food pairing recipes, and guidance from top wine, food and travel writers from across the province.

How to get involved and celebrate April BC Wine Month:

• Experience BC VQA Wine and food pairing events in all BC VQA Save On Foods Wine store locations on April 5 and 6.
• Note various BC restaurant, retail and winery promotions with special consumer events throughout the province.
• Participate in a series of Chef Meets BC Grape events kicking off in April.
• Follow an educational story-line on WineBC.com Taste & Terroir blog written by wine, food and travel experts sharing the latest information on the BC wine industry including tips and recommendations on wine and food pairings, wine touring and BC wine trends for 2019.
• Share BC wine experiences across social media @WineBCdotcom with hashtag #BCWineMonth.

Officially launching as part of BC Wine Month, the BC Wine Institute has unveiled the BC Wine Country Explorer’s Pass Program. Now available, the Explorer’s Pass encourages consumers to visit BC wine country and create their own, personalized adventures.

More than 50 wineries across BC are offering Explorer’s Pass holders complimentary tastings and exclusive offers. The time is now to create your own adventure with the BC Wine Country Explorer’s Pass Program and experience the wine, scenery, and hospitality that defines British Columbia.

About BC Wine Month:

April BC Wine Month is made possible through a strong partnership between the BC Wine Institute and Destination BC and offers the opportunity for British Columbians to show their local support and experience the quality and diversity of 100 per cent BC wine. A month-long celebration of wine events, tastings and learning, April is the perfect time to start planning your BC wine trip!

“With nine diverse wine regions, British Columbia’s vibrant wine and culinary industry continues to attract visitors to many different parts of our province”, said Marsha Walden, CEO of Destination BC. “BC Wine Month is a chance to celebrate our province by welcoming new visitors, exploring local wineries, and contributing to the thriving visitor economy.”

Media Assets. BC Wine Month
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Quick facts about the BC Wine Industry:

• BC’s wine industry has grown from just 17 grape wineries in 1990 to more than 280 today.
• Each year British Columbia’s wineries contribute $2.8 billion annually to British Columbia’s economy and welcome more than 1,000,000 visitors.
• There are more than 10,499 acres under vine in British Columbia with nine geographical indications (GIs) and two sub-geographical indications (sub-GIs): Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Thompson Valley, Lillooet, Shuswap, and Kootenays. Two sub-GIs include Golden Mile Bench and Okanagan Falls, and fall within the larger Okanagan Valley GI.
• British Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) designation celebrates 29 years of excellence in 2019.

About British Columbia Wine Institute:

Since 1990, the BC Wine Institute 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 exceptional wine tourism experiences. The BC Wine Institute markets the wine and 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 industry that contributes $2.8 billion in provincial economic growth annually.

The BC Wine Institute represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia, while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product – currently drawing 1,000,000 visitors with $600 million in tourism and tourism employment-related economic impact every year. For more information about BC Wine Institute’s programs and services, please visit: WineBC.com .

For details on BC VQA Wine and the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com, like the Wines of British Columbia Facebook page and follow @WineBCdotcom on Twitter.

April BC Wine Month in partnership with Destination British Columbia.