Summerland B.c. Winery Says Imported Fruit Is Hurting The Local Market - Beritaja

A provincial programme meant to thief British Columbia’s struggling vino manufacture whitethorn now beryllium squeezing section grape growers.

Following a devastating acold threat that wiped retired overmuch of the Okanagan’s grape harvest successful 2024, the state introduced an exemption allowing wineries to import consequence from extracurricular the country. The measurement was intended arsenic a short-term fix, but it was extended earlier this year.

Now, immoderate Okanagan producers opportunity that move is backfiring.

“Fruit that’s being brought successful from Washington has displaced consequence that was grown successful B.C.,” said Jesse Gill, proprietor of Back Door Winery successful Summerland.

Gill says the hold has made it easier, and cheaper, for wineries to root grapes from the U.S. alternatively than bargain locally.

“The exemption allows them to bring successful grapes from, let’s say, Washington state, pinch preferential taxation treatment. The costs of those grapes is simply a fraction of what they’d salary here,” he said.

But Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers BC, says the rumor is much about proviso than savings.

“If you look astatine what group person brought in, we’re really only bringing successful varieties that aren’t disposable successful B.C.,” Guignard explained. “Someone’s importing Syrah aliases Sauvignon Blanc because there’s nary of that disposable locally.”

Gill, however, says there’s still plentifulness of consequence near to sell. He’s presently storing about 160 tons of grapes from six Okanagan wineries that would different spell to waste.

“There are still rather a spot of grapes near connected the vines,” he said. “We’re still getting inquiries, we’re turning group distant astatine this point.”

Guignard says the manufacture has already purchased a grounds magnitude of locally-grown consequence this twelvemonth and is moving to thief find buyers for what remains.

“We’ve purchased thousands of tonnes from independent growers, a grounds high, and we’ll effort to thief find a location for these ones,” he said.

In a statement, Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said wineries are expected to proceed prioritizing B.C.-grown grapes and producing 100-per cent section wines.

“We person been clear that participating wineries are expected to prioritize the acquisition of locally-grown grapes complete sourcing out-of-province grapes for replacement wines,” Popham said.

In the meantime, Gill is doing what he could to make judge section grapes don’t spell to waste. He’s launched a “Save the Grape” campaign, creating a typical vintage pinch the consequence he’s managed to prevention from crossed the Okanagan.

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