Raise a Glass to Summerland: BC Wine and Hospitality Industry Set to Turn Local Love into Action
For immediate release: 08/18/2026
British Columbia – British Columbians looking for a way to show their love for Summerland have a simple and delicious option: choose a bottle of Summerland wine.
Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC), together with the BC Restaurants & Foodservices Association (BCRFA), Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE) and Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive Association is encouraging restaurants, retailers and wine lovers across the province to shine a spotlight on Summerland producers by featuring their wines and sharing what they are pouring using #SummerlandStrong.
“People across British Columbia have been asking how they can show up for Summerland, and one of the simplest answers is to enjoy what this incredible community makes,” said Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. “You don’t need to travel to Summerland to show your love for Summerland. You can do it at your neighbourhood restaurant or liquor store. Order a Summerland wine with dinner, discover a new bottle at your local wine shop or share a favourite producer with a friend. What makes this so special is its British Columbians showing up for British Columbians.”
Restaurants and retailers are being encouraged to feature Summerland wines, create in-store displays, recommend Summerland producers and use #SummerlandStrong to help customers connect with the movement.
For BC’s hospitality community, it’s a natural extension of what restaurants and wine shops do every day.
“Restaurants have always been about community. When people are going through difficult times, hospitality has an extraordinary ability to bring people together,” said Ian Tostenson, President/CEO, BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association. “This is an easy way for restaurants across BC to show Summerland that they’re not alone.”
“BC’s independent liquor retailers have deep relationships with local producers and the communities they serve,” said Bo Chen, Executive Director, ABLE BC. “Summerland Strong is an opportunity for retailers across the province to stand behind our local wine industry in a very tangible way.”
The effort builds on a growing wave of community-led initiatives. Bottleneck Drive Association is connecting people with the wineries, cideries, distilleries and breweries that make up Summerland’s craft beverage community, while #SummerlandStrong is gaining momentum on social media.
“Summerland is home to an incredible community of passionate producers who put so much into what they grow, make and share,” said Jordan Kubek, chair of the Bottleneck Drive Association which represents Summerland producers. “Seeing people across BC seek out a Summerland wine, cider, craft beverage or locally made product means a great deal. We want people to keep discovering Summerland, keep talking about us and, when the time is right, come experience everything this community has to offer.”
Reason to Celebrate All BC Wine
While Summerland is in the spotlight, WGBC is encouraging British Columbians to carry that enthusiasm for local wine across the province.
British Columbia’s wine regions are home to passionate growers and winemakers producing wines that reflect the places they come from. Choosing BC wine at a restaurant, asking for it at a retailer, visiting a winery or sharing a favourite bottle with friends are all opportunities to discover more of what is being grown and made close to home.
“Let’s make a big deal about BC wine,” said Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. “Put it on the wine list. Give it a place on the shelf. Pour it by the glass. Tell people about the bottle you loved and the people who made it. Summerland gives us a reason to start, and we want to see that local pride extend to wineries throughout British Columbia.”
Beyond the Bottle
Those wishing to contribute directly to the Summerland community can also support the SOS Wildfire Response Fund, established by the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.
And there is another way to show your love for BC wine: start planning your next wine country getaway.
Fall is a magical time in BC wine country, with harvest underway, changing landscapes and incredible opportunities to experience the people and places behind the wines. Wine communities across BC look forward to welcoming visitors with the warm hospitality, local flavours and memorable wine experiences our regions are known for.
Explore the Wines of BC Winery & Cidery Finder to discover wineries and build your own itinerary using filters to find the experiences that are right for you. Or, find inspiration in our ready-made itineraries, with ideas for exploring each of BC’s wine regions.
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Media Contact
Kelly Josephson, Wine Growers BC
KJosephson@WineBC.com
250-869-2476
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ABOUT WINE GROWERS BRITISH COLUMBIA
Since 1990, WGBC 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.
For details on the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com.
BC WINE INDUSTRY PARTNERS
BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC)
