BC WINE INSTITUTE WELCOMES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A NEW NAME AT ITS FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Kelowna, BC – In a year full of change, the BC Wine Institute (BCWI) held its first-ever virtual annual general meeting on September 1, 2020 welcoming a new board of directors and a new name for the organization.
Nine voting BCWI Directors represent all British Columbia wineries. Newly elected or re-elected members of the Board of Directors are:
- Greg Berti, Andrew Peller
- Josh Stewart, Arterra Wines Canada
- Vice-Chair Darryl Brooker, Mark Anthony Group
- Christa-Lee McWatters, TIME Winery
- Charlie Baessler, Corcelettes Estate Winery
- Santiago Cilley, Phantom Creek Estates
Continuing their directorships are Chair Erik Fisher (Monte Creek Ranch Winery), Leo Gebert (St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Winery) and Dapinder Gill (Kismet Estate Winery). BC Grapegrowers’ Association representative David Kozuki and BCWI President & CEO Miles Prodan continue as ex officio non-voting members.
“It has been a busy and challenging year in the BC wine industry, and we appreciate the time commitment and dedication of our volunteer Board of Directors and committee members,” notes Prodan. “We look forward to working with our newly appointed Board members and our continuing Board members to evolve the BC wine industry, adapt to our new reality and work together to ensure a bright and strong future for BC wine.”
The BCWI would also like to thank outgoing Director Ezra Cipes (Summerhill Pyramid Winery) for his contributions to the Board during his term.
Prior to the Annual General Meeting, the BCWI Board of Directors identified the importance of rebranding both the BC Wine Institute and the BC wine industry to Wine Growers British Columbia to better align with other provincial and national associations. BCWI members voted unanimously to make the change, and the BCWI looks forward to officially launching the new brand in early 2021.
“The rebrand helps to reposition the BC wine industry as a high value agri-food producer and economic growth generator, representing and supporting grapegrowers and wineries as part of a family farm network,” says Prodan. “It also better aligns with our Canadian wine colleagues, Wine Growers Canada, Wine Growers Ontario and Wine Growers Nova Scotia to strengthen our collective identity and ultimately the Canadian wine industry.”
The BCWI Industry Recognition Awards which would typically follow the Annual General Meeting, and which recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to support and enhance British Columbia’s grape wine industry, will now be held in October. Nominations are being accepted until Friday, September 25. Visit WineBC.com for more details.
Suggested Tweet: New Board of Directors for @WineBCdotcom & a new name for the organization announced at the BC Wine Institute’s 2020 Annual General Meeting on September 1 #BCWine
