Your guarantee that every sip is 100% grown and made in British Columbia
When you see BC VQA on a wine label, you can trust you’re getting 100% grown and made right here in British Columbia.
BC VQA stands for British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance. Created in 1990 to help wine lovers like you know exactly what’s in your glass, VQA is our province’s official guarantee of origin and quality.
To earn the BC VQA certification, wines must meet strict standards for grape variety {Link}, vintage, and where the grapes were grown (link to regions). Every wine is also tasted by an expert panel to ensure it meets the quality you expect from BC’s best.
In short?
BC VQA means you’re enjoying a wine that’s local, authentic, and crafted to high standards, so you can sip with confidence and enjoyment.
Click here to learn more about BC VQA regulations, governed by the BC Wine Authority.
1. Name of Winery
2. Vintage
3. Name of Wine or Varietal
4. Assurance of quality and where grapes are grown
Click an image to explore a Geographical Indication (GI)
- 100% British Columbia grapes
- 9 Geographical Indications (GI)
- 12 Sub-Geographical Indications (Lake Country, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes, Summerland Bench, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Valleys, Golden Mile Bench, Golden Mile Slopes, Okanagan Falls, Skaha Bench, Naramata Bench and Cowichan Valley
- 95% of grapes must come from specific region mentioned on the label
- 85% of grapes must come from the vintage stated on the label
- 85% of grapes must be the stated varietal
BC VQA: 100% Local. Authentic. British Columbia.
The BC wine industry has faced some tough climate related challenges recently, including severe cold snaps that impacted the 2023 and 2024 grape harvests. But BC wineries are nothing if not resilient. To help keep your favourite local wineries thriving and their talented teams working, a temporary, creative solution has been introduced for the 2024 vintage: Crafted in BC wines.
These wines are made right here in BC by the same passionate winemakers you know and love, but with a little help from grapes sourced outside the province. It’s a temporary solution to support local wineries while BC vineyards recover and replant, helping keep the wines flowing, the teams working and the spirit of BC wine alive as we rebuild towards a full recovery.
What are Crafted in BC Wines?
For one year only, some BC wineries will be using grapes or juice sourced from outside of BC – such as Washington, Oregon, or Ontario – to produce wines locally. These wines will be crafted, bottled, and sold in BC, but will not be labeled as BC VQA. Instead, they will be clearly marked to show where the grapes originated, ensuring complete transparency.
Will There Still Be BC VQA Wines?
Absolutely! BC VQA wines will continue to be available throughout this transition, made from 100% BC-grown grapes and representing the highest standard of quality and authenticity. When you see the BC VQA label, you can trust that you’re enjoying a wine crafted exclusively from BC’s unique terroir.
Why was Crafted in BC Started?
An extreme cold event which occurred early 2024 meant many vineyards couldn’t produce a crop in 2024, leading to a potential gap in local wine availability. Crafted in BC wines provide a way to keep wineries running, staff employed, and shelves stocked, all while maintaining the high standards of quality BC wine lovers expect.
What Does This Mean for You?
By choosing Crafted in BC wines, you’re supporting local businesses during a challenging time. These wines offer a unique opportunity to experience BC winemakers’ craftsmanship with grapes from other regions, all while helping the industry bounce back for a strong 2025 harvest and beyond.
