Media Releases

For Immediate Release:
July 10, 2019

Kelowna, BC – Following another successful Annual General Meeting (July 9, 2019 at the Manteo Resort, Kelowna) that brought together winery owners and representatives from across BC, the BC Wine Institute (BCWI) is pleased to announce its new Board of Directors.

Nine voting BCWI Directors represent all British Columbia wineries. Newly elected or re-elected members of the Board of Directors are:

• Dapinder Gill, Kismet Estate Winery (new)
• Leo Gebert, St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery
• David Wilson, Mark Anthony Group

Continuing their directorships are Chair Christa-Lee McWatters (Encore Vineyards), Vice Chair Ezra Cipes (Summerhill Pyramid Winery), Charlie Baessler (Corcelettes Estate Winery), Greg Berti (Andrew Peller), Erik Fisher (Monte Creek Ranch Winery), and Josie Tyabji (Arterra Wines Canada). BC Grapegrowers’ Association representative David Kozuki and BCWI President & CEO Miles Prodan continue as ex officio non-voting members.

“It has been a busy 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 member Dapinder Gill and continuing Board members, including BCWI Chair Christa-Lee McWatters, to evolve the BC wine industry and take the vision of our member wineries and the BC wine industry’s WineBC2030 Long-Term Strategic Plan to the next level.”

The BCWI would also like to thank outgoing Director Tony Holler (Poplar Grove Winery) and Independent Director Douglas Friend for their contributions to the Board during their terms.

In the evening, the BCWI welcomed keynote speaker Provincial Agriculture Minister Lana Popham to the 2019 BC Wine Industry Awards, which recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to support and enhance British Columbia’s grape wine industry.

BCWI Chair Christa-Lee McWatters presented the BCWI Industry Recognition Award to two recipients in gratitude of their respective many years of outstanding contribution to the British Columbia wine industry. Jeffrey Thomas, Chair of the BC Wine Authority for 10 years, and Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods were each honoured with the BCWI Industry Recognition Award.

The BCWI Award of Distinction was presented to Richard Cleave and Robert Goltz of R & R Management, in recognition of their outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the advancement of the British Columbia wine industry.

“Richard and Robert have been fundamental in planting and farming most of the premium vineyard sites and production methods for grape farmers post free trade agreement in 1990,” said BCWI President & CEO Miles Prodan. “Together they have more than 45 years of grapegrowing experience and are two of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in the province.”

Suggested Tweet: New Board of Directors for @WineBCdotcom & industry leaders recognized at the BC Wine Institute’s 2019 Wine Industry Awards ceremony on July 9 #BCWine

 

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Editors: Photos are linked for your consideration with the following cutlines:

Photo 1 – British Columbia Wine Institute Board of Directors (Back Row L-R: David Kozuki (BC Grapegrowers’ Association), David Wilson (Mark Anthony Group), Charlie Baessler (Corcelettes Estate Winery), Chair Christa-Lee McWatters (Encore Vineyards), Miles Prodan (BC Wine Institute), Leo Gebert (St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery) and Ezra Cipes (Summerhill Pyramid Winery). Front Row L-R: Erik Fisher (Monte Creek Ranch Winery), Dapinder Gill (Kismet Estate Winery), Josie Tyabji (Arterra Wines Canada) and Greg Berti (Andrew Peller).

Photo 2 – Jeffrey Thomas (recipient of the BC Wine Institute Industry Award), Christa-Lee McWatters (BC Wine Institute Chair).

Photo 3 – Darrell Jones (recipient of the BC Wine Institute Industry Award), Christa-Lee McWatters (BC Wine Institute Chair).

Photo 4 – L-R: Robert Goltz and Richard Cleave (recipients of the BC Wine Institute Award of Distinction).