EXPERIENCE NEW DIVERSE OFFERINGS FROM BC’S WINE REGIONS THIS SEASON
BC wineries open and ready to welcome guests
May 14, 2024
British Columbia – Across BC’s nine wine regions, wineries are not only open and have an abundance of wine to share, but they have created an array of diverse and unique offerings that allow guests to experience wine country like never before. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to Sip, Smile and Stay Awhile while taking in the warm hospitality and charm BC wineries have become known for.
While there are more than 60 events coming up in the next two months, ten wineries across the province have developed completely new wine tourism experiences as part of the Cultivating Experiences: Elevating BC Wine Tourism program. Working with Wine Growers British Columbia and Destination BC in partnership with Firecircle, and supported by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), the wineries have been hard at work over the past few months with the goal of bringing their offerings from vision to market this summer.
“Being relevant in today’s world of travel and tourism means having a rock-solid foundation of operational and physical infrastructure and innovative thinking to support meaningful experiences for your guests,” said Deneen Allen, CEO, Firecircle. “The Cultivating Experiences program offered an opportunity for BC wineries to take new or existing experiences through a robust envisioning, designing and building process.”
Over the past few years, BC wineries have faced challenges like never before, yet they remain committed to welcoming guests to their tasting rooms in new and exciting ways this summer and beyond. “We could not be more excited for the launch of the Cultivating Experiences program,” said Kim Barnes, Marketing Director, Wine Growers British Columbia. “This program, combined with our new Sip, Smile and Stay Awhile campaign, highlights the exceptional array of warm, welcoming and diverse wine tourism experiences available across the province and provides new ways for guests to enjoy 100% BC wine this year.”
The Cultivating Experiences program represents Wine Growers BC and Destination BC’s united effort to promote the province as a destination for incredible tourism experiences. The program provided virtual workshops, valuable market research, and mentorship for each participant winery to ultimately launch a unique wine tourism experience. These Cultivating Experiences winery offerings are the latest added to the plethora of options available to those exploring BC wine country this summer:
- Monte Creek Winery, Thompson Valley, Long Table Dinner Series
- Maverick Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, Intimate Dinner Series
- Mythology Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, Sip, Savour & Create Mediterranean Experience, launching soon
- Joie Farm Winery, Naramata Bench, Aikin’s Walk the Loop Tour Experiences, launching soon
- Da Silva Vineyards & Winery, Naramata Bench, Terroir Sessions
- Township7 Vineyards and Winery, Fraser Valley & Naramata Bench, Saber & Sip: The Art of Sabrage at both locations
- Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery, South Okanagan Valley, Flavour, Texture & Time
- Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Vancouver Island, A Sparkling Day in Cowichan
- Unsworth Vineyards, Vancouver Island, A Sparkling Day in Cowichan
- Culmina Family Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley, Wine & Art event
With more BC wine events than ever, “British Columbia’s wine tourism is a testament to the passionate folks who work in the province’s vineyards, wineries and touring companies,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “It’s not just about the wine, it’s about our stories, our people, and our wine country culture. We are pleased to support Destination BC and our nine wine regions, ensuring visitors can experience our incredible BC wines while enjoying our exceptional hospitality from the vineyards to the tasting rooms.”
Follow along with @WinesofBC and #ExploreBC to get inspiration on where to plan your next BC wine adventure.
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QUOTES
Deneen Allen, CEO, Firecircle
“Being relevant in today’s world of travel and tourism means having a rock-solid foundation of operational and physical infrastructure and innovative thinking to support meaningful experiences for your guests. The Cultivating Experiences program offered an opportunity for BC wineries to take new or existing experiences through a robust envisioning, designing and building process.”
Kim Barnes, Marketing Director, Wine Growers British Columbia
“We could not be more excited for the launch of the Cultivating Experiences program, which combined with our new Sip, Smile and Stay Awhile campaign, highlights the exceptional array of warm, welcoming and diverse wine tourism experiences available across the province and provides new ways for guests to enjoy 100% BC wine this year.”
Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
“British Columbia’s wine tourism is a testament to the passionate folks who work in the province’s vineyards, wineries and touring companies. It’s not just about the wine, it’s about our stories, our people, and our wine country culture. We are pleased to support Destination BC and our nine wine regions, ensuring visitors can experience our incredible BC wines while enjoying our exceptional hospitality from the vineyards to the tasting rooms.”
Richard Porges, President & CEO, Destination BC
“This program helps increase visitation to wineries across BC from spring well into the fall, providing visitors with enticing reasons to extend their trips. It encourages people to explore new places and diverse wine tourism offerings, increasing revenue streams for businesses and enriching visitor experiences. The wine sector is a valuable contributor to BC’s tourism landscape and economy. We are proud to support agri-tourism and winery experience development, strengthening BC’s reputation as a sustainable and leading wine tourism destination.”
VISUAL ASSETS AVAILABLE TO MEDIA
Suggested Social: New diverse offerings are just the start of a full summer of #BCWine events winebc.com/wine-bc-events/
MEDIA CONTACTS
Lindsay Kelm, Wine Growers British Columbia
Email: LKelm@WineBC.com
Destination BC Media Relations
Email: Media.Relations@DestinationBC.ca
Deneen Allen, Firecircle
Email: Deneen@TheFirecircle.ca
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ABOUT WINE GROWERS BRITISH COLUMBIA
Wine Growers British Columbia 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. WGBC 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 $3.75 billion in provincial economic growth annually. WGBC 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 – as of 2019 drawing 1,191,500 visitors with $783.7million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact on an annual basis. For more information about Wine Growers BC programs and services, please visit WineBC.com. Twitter: @WineGrowersBC |
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ABOUT DESTINATION BRITISH COLUMBIA
Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing. Destination BC’s programs help to improve the visitor experience, support businesses and communities across the province, and strengthen BC’s worldwide reputation as a destination of choice. For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: DestinationBC.ca Twitter: @DestinationBC |
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ABOUT FIRECIRCLE
Firecircle is Canada’s leading online training organization for tourism entrepreneurs. Firecircle’s point of differentiation is the expert, mentored guidance they provide along with digital resources to help entrepreneurs to launch or take their existing tourism ventures to the next level. Firecircle’s 5×5 Method™ follows a step-by-step approach the team has used for over 15 years to help Canadian tourism enterprises of all sizes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to plan, launch, grow and optimize their tourism and hospitality businesses. Deneen Allen and Firecircle’s Ignite team of 26 mentors and facilitators, are dedicated to helping clients uncover opportunities for raising the bar in providing new, immersive tourism and hospitality experiences across Canada. For more information about Firecircle, please visit TheFirecircle.ca. Facebook: @FirecircleTourism |
