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FIVE GENERATIONS OF FAMILY EXPERIENCE IN THE OKANAGAN
Professional
Representation of Buyers and Sellers for Horticultural, Farm, Acreage and Estate properties throughout
the Valley
Scott Marshall was born and raised in the Central Okanagan and is part of the 5th generation of his family to live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. The Marshall Family has a proud history in fruit farming in the Central and North Okanagan since 1911, while the Thorlakson side of the family started farming in the North Okanagan in the late 1800s. Scott's parents operated large orchards and nursery plantings, and he grew up with them working in the Okanagan Real Estate market.
After completing four years of formal education at the University of British Columbia, Scott received a BCOM in Finance and Real Estate before becoming a licensed REALTOR® and Associate Broker at RE/MAX Kelowna. Since becoming licensed, Scott has quickly become a natural expert in the Horticultural, Viticultural, Farm, Acreage, Estate and Unique Property market. Scott has been able to professionally assist his valued clients so that when they are successful in their real estate buying or selling, he has also been able to be successful and is ranked as the #1 Individual Realtor at his brokerage.*
In today's
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Scott is uniquely quali ed to e ectively assist with the purchase and sale of Horticultural, Farm, Acreage, Estate and Unique Properties throughout the Okanagan. To take advantage of ve generations of valued agricultural experience in the Okanagan, call Scott Marshall for your farm property needs!
a sales history that speaks for itself has never been more important. I'm not afraid to get my boots dirty. “ “
industry connections, and
Scott training young cherry trees in the Black Mountain area of Kelowna.
Great Great Grandfather Thorlakur Thorlakson harvesting grain near Predator Ridge in Vernon.
Great Grandfather Lewis Marshall living in a tent on his rst orchard in the Glenmore area of Kelowna.
Grandfather Rexford Marshall next to newly planted orchard in the Carrs Landing area of Lake Country.
Father Lance next to nursery stock in the Carrs Landing area of Lake Country.
Leeann Froese, Kelly Josephson, Ron Maciborski, Natalie MacLean Ronda Payne, Gary Symons, Melissa Tesche, Yvonne Turgeon
Contributing photographers
Jessica Emin, Jay Lirag, Timothy Miles, Ronda Payne, Royce Sihlis, Myrna Stark Leader, Yvonne Turgeon
Seasons of strength
By the time this magazine is in your hands, the 2024 season of growth will be well underway. New shoots will be showing their glory, stretching to the sun.
Over this frightfully cold winter, many have had to stretch—stretch to find more resources, stretch to find more strength.
The winter’s hardships have galvanized a spirit of unity and determination among our growers.
Today, springiness is in the air. And it’s not just the canopy of cherry and apple blossoms spreading across the orchards. It shines in the souls of the growers, ready for another harvest and another one after that.
With its extension of funds for replanting, the government has planted seeds for the future of the B.C. fruit and wine industry.
Seeds represent possibility. Seeds represent growth and fruit.
The program aims to help remove damaged and lowproducing vines, plants and trees and replace them with climateresilient varieties that produce in-demand premium fruit.
In its essence, resiliency speaks of strength of character. Over these winter months, it has been humbling to speak to so many growers, so uncertain of their future, and inspiring to watch as resignation is replaced with resiliency.
Orchard & Vine Magazine is published six times a year and distributed by addressed mail to growers, suppliers and wineries in the Okanagan, Kootenays, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Washington State and across Canada.
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Orchard & Vine Magazine is published by Before & After Media Inc. Find them on the web at beforeaftermedia.com.
Farmers have more toughness and strength and more capacity to withstand challenges than any other sector of the Canadian economy.
Resiliency also speaks to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. And here we come to some of the fun terms this powerful word conveys: springiness, bouncebackability, and my favourite, the ability to last.
Farmers reap what they sow. Over the years, many seeds have been planted. Growers have gathered together and built strong and involved organizations that can advocate and make their voices heard. They’ve built strong relationships with governments at all levels, stakeholders and related industries.
They’ve invested in learning, research and resources, and they’ve created collectives of like-minded growers, winemakers, researchers and other industry professionals committed to the long-term health of the land and the industry.
They’ve planted the seeds in wine clubs to cultivate engaged and loyal patrons. Wine clubs are a testament to the deep-rooted connections between our growers and the broader community. These relationships are not just transactional; they are built on a shared passion for communion and the love of the land.
We must remember that our roots run deep. The beginnings of commercial fruit growing in B.C. can be traced back to the 19th century. By the 1950s, the Okanagan had become the dominant fruit-growing region in B.C., and the seeds for Orchard & Vine magazine were sown. We’ve reported on harvest after harvest for 65 years. And like the growers, we’re happy to say we’re ready for another season.
While mummy berry has become less common, there has been a resurgence of the disease in recent years that makes the curse of mummy berry much more serious. Mummy berry is caused by the fungus Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi. The fungus kills young, vegetative shoots and can also infect fruit making them inedible. Additionally, losing young shoots to mummy berry can cause a reduction in yield the following year.
Mummy berry gets its name from the infected fruit which mummifies and falls off the bush every year. These mummies overwinter on the ground and serve as the source of primary inoculum for the following spring. In the spring, once the weather starts to warm up, the mummies form apothecia which are small cup-shaped mushroom-like bodies that are filled with ascospores. Ascospores are what cause the primary infections on young leaf tissue. Without the leaf tissue, infection cannot occur.
Mummies look like tiny black pumpkins, smaller than a penny, and are often covered with leaf litter or partially embedded in the soil. You will have to get down and look very closely for these, they are easy to miss. Scouting hotspots and places you have historically had problems with first is always a good idea. Hotspots for mummy berry are often near forested areas and wet parts of the farm.
Removing and disposing of the mummies or burying them at least two inches deep with mulch reduces potential inoculum and helps fight mummy berry. Unfortunately, we often need to revert to fungicide applications to control this disease. Typically, fungicides belonging to FRAC code 3 are usually the most effective. There are several biologically based fungicides a grower might consider using near bloom to protect pollinators that have been effective in recent research trials.
The first symptom of mummy berry disease in the spring is the wilting of young leaves and shoots accompanied by a browning of the midribs and lateral leaf veins. Browning caused by mummy berry occurs in an oak-leaf pattern along the main leaf vein. Eventually, the entire shoot dies and looks like a shepherd’s-crook. Shoot strike is often used to describe blighted shoots. When humidity is high, tan to gray powdery spores can develop on the infected shoots.
Mummy berries form cup-shaped mushroom-like bodies filled with ascospores that cause infection on young leaves.
Occasionally, individual flowers or whole flower clusters may also become blighted. Flower strikes are less common than shoot strikes and may be confused with blossom blight caused by other fungi. However, the layer of gray spores on the stem of the flower is a key diagnostic characteristic of mummy berry. The blighted tissues eventually dry up and fall off the blueberry bush. If you find blighted leaves or flowers and are not sure if it is caused by mummy berry, you can send in a sample your local lab for testing.
Photos by Timothy Miles
The federal excise duty on beer, spirits and wine that was to increase by 4.7 percent on April 1 will stay at two percent for the next two years, to April 1, 2026. While it represents temporary relief, this taxation change is welcomed by many in the hospitality industries.
“This announcement is great news for breweries, distilleries and wineries from all across Canada who contribute so much to our national economy,” says Rechie Valdez, Federal Small Business Minister. “Not only are they producing incredible products, they are also small businesses who are creating jobs and opportunities in their local communities.”
Restaurants Canada also hailed the government’s decision to hold the line at two percent as it has been advocating for it alongside brewers, unions, consumers, farmers and retailers.
“This news demonstrates that our concerns have been heard and are taken seriously,” the organization’s March 9 statement says.
“The cap on the alcohol tax gives operators a chance to catch their breath,” says Kelly Higginson, president and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “For the past four years, restaurants have been dealt one blow after another.”
According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the "alcohol escalator tax" automatically increases federal excise duty on beer, wine and spirits every year on April 1. Taxes already account for about half of the price of beer, 65 percent of the price of wine and more than three quarters of the price of spirits.
Canadian wine made from honey or apples is not subject to excise duty.
B.C.’s home-grown pollinator
Bumblebees are excellent pollinators that use vibration to release pollen. This specialty work is called buzz pollination or “sonification.” They can also beat their wings 200 times per second. Yes, per second, not per minute.
Bumblebees not only increase fruit set and size in various crops but also reduce the pollination deficit in varieties deemed hard to pollinate.
These vibrating pollinators are used in cherries, blueberries,
tomatoes, squash, watermelons and kiwis, to name a few crops.
A 2023 trial in one nonself-fertile cherry variety showed an almost 30 percent increase in yield when the block with honeybees and bumblebees together was compared with a block with only honeybees. The cherry varieties and tree ages were the same and located a few hundred meters apart on the same farm.
Bumblebees also have a fascinating lifecycle. Fertilized queens hibernate under
the ground in small rodent tunnels or other suitable sites during the winter months. In spring, they leave their hibernation site, establish a nest and start to lay eggs. After the first workers emerge, the colony continues growing and to do so they need to collect a lot of pollen and nectar. Bumblebees are focused more on pollen collection than honeybees, so they ensure they get as much as possible from each flower. They feed the pollen to their brood, or young bee larvae and fuel themselves
some home to the nest.
Eventually, the colony switches into the sexual phase as young queens and males begin to emerge. Once strong enough, these new queens leave the nest to find a mate. After mating, the young queens go into hibernation, and the process repeats.
Bombus huntii is an Okanagan native bumblebee species that is now commercially available. Commercially reared hives contain one fertilized queen, around 100 workers and multiple immature stages of workers. The number of workers will continue to increase and will provide pollination for about six to eight weeks. Because it is local, this bee is well-suited to the B.C. Interior region environment. Last season, the bees were out at 15°C, with 100 percent cloud cover and light rain, when honeybees were nowhere to be seen. This isn’t to say they should do the job alone.
Bumblebees work very well in collaboration with honeybees, providing some insurance for bad weather and that extra boost in varieties that need it. Some research shows that honeybees collect more pollen when bumblebees are around, so they bring out the best in each other. —Courtesy of Biobest Group
Okanagan native pollinator Bombus Huntii is ideally suited to the challenging weather in the B.C. Interior.
Bumblebees can increase fruit set.
Photo courtesy of Biobest Group; top photo contributed
Alberta closes border to consumer-direct B.C. wine
BY RONDA PAYNE
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) dealt a rough hand to B.C. wineries at the end of January with a letter stating direct-to-consumer shipments must stop or else.
This ultimatum involves AGLC’s refusal to accept B.C. wine shipments intended for restaurants and retail sales in the province’s liquor stores.
This unexpected move is a significant unexpected blow to B.C. wineries. With this enforcement, wine club members in B.C.’s neighbouring province can no longer receive their anticipated shipments, nor can they order a case of their favourite B.C. wine for a special occasion.
Shipping across provincial borders has always been a headscratching conundrum, but the claims of AGLC to be maintaining the integrity of its model seem more than heavy-handed by B.C.’s industry. This model has never permitted direct-to-consumer shipping, but now this is being enforced rigidly.
At the B.C. wine industry’s Insight Conference on March 13, Premier David Eby announced a task force to resolve the issues and help B.C. wine grape growers and wineries be more successful and reach their customers.
“Interprovincial rules have been in the news lately,” he says. “[It] generally has always been a challenge working with provincial liquor laws.”
Discussions between the two provincial governments continue, with Alberta advocating for equitable access to B.C. markets for its craft brewers and distillers.
Because B.C.’s system differs from Alberta, the playing field isn’t level from either’s perspective.
BRINGING YOUR CONCERNS TO VICTORIA DAN ASHTON MLA
I know it is very stressful with many sleepless nights for our farming community. I will continue to take your issues and concerns to the Government of British Columbia.
PENTICTON AND AREA
Consumers don’t blame farmers
No, farmers aren’t charging too much — 64%
of survey respondents
Higher food prices have been a fact of life for a few years and a survey published in March found the majority of consumers don’t blame farmers.
While the study is U.S.-based, Canadian consumers are likely to have similar perceptions. Plus, as election timing draws near in both North American countries, more news is focused on pricing schemes of organizations involved in the food system.
The survey of 1,035 participants was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics of the University of Illinois and the Department of Agriculture Economics from Purdue University. In terms of who is seen as over-charging, farmers came out the best with just 21.9 percent of respondents believing farmer prices are too high. About 64 percent say “no, farmers aren’t charging too much” and 14.5 percent don’t know.
Food manufacturers, grocery stores and restaurants are all seen to be charging consumers too much with more than 70 percent of respondents saying, yes, those groups’ prices are too high. The results are similar for respondents asked “what players in the food system are too big?” Only 19 percent of respondents feel farmers are too large, while more than 35 percent of respondents feel food manufacturers (67.8%), grocery stores (51.6%) and restaurants (35.7%) are too large.
Large players only came out as “better” than, or “the same as”, small players in affordability of food.
Provincial funds for water storage
The BC Agriculture Council commented on the 2024 B.C. provincial budget in a press release that placed significant focus on the importance of the $83 million in funding for water storage for B.C. farmers and ranchers.
Recent climate events have stressed supplies of safe, reliable water in multiple regions of the province and numerous farmers and ranchers have been significantly impacted by irrigation curtailments at the most critical time of the growing season.
“We would like to thank the government of B.C. for this investment as it comes at a critical time,” says BC Agriculture Council president, Jennifer Woike. “Over the last several years, our farmers and ranchers have been significantly impacted by heat domes, drought, wildfires and flooding—in addition to managing skyrocketing production cost increases. This was a needed investment—one we hope will serve as a stepping stone to providing long-term, generational sustainability for the sector.”
The February 22 announcement adds to the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program, which was launched in Budget 2023 with $20 million in funding over three years. This brings the total investment in the program to approximately $113 million.
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Flavour combinations to note
Add a touch of spice
Spiciness isn’t something one normally thinks of in the same context as fruit flavour, but the number of fruity and spicy combinations has increased in recent years. This is perhaps partially due to the influence of well-known cocktails like margaritas adding zesty jalapeno or chili peppers to fruit flavours like strawberry. Yet spicy ingredients are also being mixed into smoothies and shakes; for example, adding cayenne pepper to a smoothie with cucumber and lime gives you a refreshing fruit flavour with a little undercurrent of heat.
Florals and botanicals
Berry fusion
Berries have been used for their juice or to add flavour to dishes for a very long time, but there has been a recent push to bring different berries together in new combinations. Also, other types of berries that haven’t traditionally been popular are now the stars of new products; examples include acai, black currant, elderberry and mulberry. There’s something about the tart and delicate berry flavour that pairs well with other kinds of fruit as well as floral, botanical, and even savoury ingredients. Berries are also regularly now used with tropical fruits like mango and guava.
One of the reliable truths of the food industry is that consumer tastes are constantly shifting and evolving. And to keep up with all the latest trends, food manufacturers always need to be innovating and developing new and exciting products. One perennial source of new product flavours is fruit; the truth is, though, that nature doesn’t make new fruits very often. That’s why food production companies rely on the endless combinations of fruit flavours to make their products stand out. There’s no doubt that some fruit flavours, whether they’re from fresh fruits or in the form of commercial ingredients like juices, essences, or purees, will always be popular in the United States and elsewhere around the world. Citrus flavours like lemon and lime have long been familiar in many different types of beverages, for instance, as well as various tropical flavours like mango and passion fruit. But even though these fruits will always be popular, the latest trend is to combine them with each other and less familiar flavours in unexpected and exciting ways.
Maybe it’s because fruit comes from flowers that fruit and floral flavours seem to go so well together. When used in the right amount, flavours like lavender and elderflower are known to complement the tartness of citrus fruits; a great example of this new kind of combination is floralinfused lemonade. Yet fruits and flowers are also being combined in teas, cocktails, hard seltzers and craft sodas. Even classic drinks like apple juice can become a fresh new experience with the addition of a botanical like thyme or basil.
International avour
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to feel like a distant memory, interest in travel and cuisine from different countries around the world has soared. This has meant that everything from salsas and salads to beverages and desserts can be found with combinations of fruit and flavours associated with the culinary traditions of numerous countries. One example is an Indian fruit chutney made with mangoes and apricot that is seasoned with cumin, coriander and pepper. Also, numerous Mediterranean cultures are fond of using figs and dates with aromatic ingredients like rosewater.
Salty and sweet
One of the most satisfying flavour combinations in recent years is salty and sweet. These two basic flavour categories are seemingly opposite, but the contrast the two provide is tasty and delightful. From prosciutto-wrapped melon chunks to salted apple chips, there are very few rules for how these flavours can be matched. This is largely because salt or salty ingredients can reduce the tartness or bitterness of fruits like pineapple, cranberry or grapefruit. This effect of salt is also why it is frequently used on the rims of fruity cocktails.
Herbal healing
Over the past few decades, as nutritional science continues to evolve and deepen, research has shown that fruits, herbs and other plant products contain valuable natural compounds that can improve various aspects of health. Because of this, food manufacturers have been more and more interested in developing products that aim to improve health by including these plants. A wide variety of products use nutrient-dense fruits like blueberries, cherries and oranges and then combine them with powders or essences that can provide additional health benefits.
There’s no doubt that fruit is always a popular addition to many different kinds of foods and beverages. But even though some of the base flavours may be incredibly familiar, there is literally no end to the combinations of flavours that are possible. — Courtesy of FruitSmart
Cherries get sweet storage help
WSU research looks to optimize firmness and fruit quality
What is the right firmness for cherries? It’s a difficult question to answer, especially with a number of varieties to choose from. Researchers from Washington State University’s Postharvest Systems lab are assessing new ways to measure firmness to ensure the sweet fruit gives its satisfying crunch even after shipping overseas.
The work is an intersection of two projects by Carolina Torres, a post-harvest specialist with WSU, and her team.
One project is on strategies for cold storing fruit for up to 30 days. The storage options include bulk storage, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) bags and two types of controlled atmosphere with varied inputs.
Serving the wine, cider and spirits industry for over
Researchers looked beyond traditional lab tests that asess firmness to hyperspectral imaging to find other insights into cherry textures.
The other project is assessing texture and other factors that lead to eating quality. Optimizing firmness and fruit quality will increase consumer approval and profits throughout the value chain.
Torres and the team looked at relationships between firmness, texture and eating experiences of different types of cherries which had been in the various storage methods. Data was collected over
two seasons in Wenatchee, Washington, characterizing the texture profile, cellular structure and cell wall components in cherries from contrasting genotypes in order to understand the differences in their eating quality.
Ultimately, it’s an exploration of how the cells of cherries work together to create the right craveable, crunchy texture.
Torres and the research team found that the
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Photo contributed
industry standard compression test for firmness falls short when it comes to assessing the full range of cherries.
Compression testing doesn’t account for variability between varieties and eating satisfaction.
For the firmness measures that link to eating quality, hyperspectral imaging is the key. This method has been successfully used in apples and pears. Sweetheart, Bing, Rainier and Skeena cherries were tested as they are the top varieties grown in Washington state.
Various wavelengths of light bounce off the cherries to provide information the human eye can’t possibly detect. Because optical sorting is already in use in the cherry industry, it isn’t far-fetched to imagine that different wavelengths can reveal cherry firmness.
Cellular elements in different varieties seen in the hyperspectral imaging allowed researchers to identify the texture profile that helps explain differences in eating quality.
Factors including weight, size, firmness/texture, skin colour and more were evaluated at different maturity markers from each variety and storage option: harvest, 15 days and 30 days into cold storage and two days at room temperature. Six industry panelists conducted eating quality tests.
From the data being compiled in the lab, a model will be created so that in time, growers and packers will be able to ensure the best fruit quality, no matter where it ends up.
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B.C. cherries packaged for the local grocer.
Photo courtesy of BC Tree Fruits
Strong B.C. showing at international festival
BY RONDA PAYNE
Italy may have been the focus of this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival, but that didn’t stop Canadians from convincingly showcasing what B.C. has to offer. More than 25 B.C.-based wineries participated at the festival in numerous events from the vast international tasting rooms to lunches, dinners and seminars.
The Shape of Wine seminar featured how Riedel stemware can influence the profile and taste of wines when poured in a glass specific to the varietal.
Winemaker Arnaud Thierry of Church & State Wines was on hand with his 2020 Sauvignon Blanc.
“These grapes are from the Okanagan,” says Thierry. “The Okanagan vineyards are very different from the Island vineyards. We blend. The proportions depend on the year.”
Italian wines and B.C. wines were part of the action at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Wine writer and educator, Evan Goldstein (Inset top right) discusses pairings. Organic grower, Ron Firman (inset bottom) samples wines, including one from his Spadefoot Toad Vineyard in B.C.
Event photos by Ronda Payne; bottle photos by Yvonne Turgeon
Canada proved its mettle on the international stage. More than 25 B.C. wineries participated in the festival, including Fraser Valley's oldest winery, Chaberton Estate Winery. CohortWholesale.com
The Chardonnay featured at the tasting was from Da Silva Vineyards and Winery, based in Penticton, which has several vineyards in the region.
Once poured in the right glass, it was noted that the Da Silva Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel before being aged in oak for eight months.
Turning to the reds, another B.C. wine showcased in the session was the 2021 Pinot Noir from Moraine Winery, from the Sophia Estate Vineyard on Naramata Bench.
Winemaker Amber Pratt spoke about the persnickety behavior of pinot noir grapes.
“It is the thin skin,” she says. “So, it’s a lot more susceptible to sickness in the vineyard.”
She added that while it’s a very difficult grape to work with, “the results are beautiful.”
Beyond the tasting seminar, B.C.’s presence was seen and tasted at more than 40 events.
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Washington sabbatical award recipient named
Monique Ortiz of North Slope Management in Walla Walla, Washington, was selected in December 2023 to receive the $5,000 Bill Powers Sabbatical by the Washington Wine Industry Foundation Board of Directors.
Ortiz currently serves as a viticulturist and assistant vineyard manager for North Slope Management. Her work includes assessing disease and pest pressures, studying historical phenology data, monitoring leafcutter bees, and improving biodiversity. She also manages crews, planting, and shipping harvested fruit.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in viticulture and enology from Washington State University.
“The sabbatical application first interested me because I knew it would give rise to the opportunity for professional and personal growth,” says Ortiz. “I hope to learn from other winegrowers and winemakers in Spain about methods of control in viticulture to ensure the continued growth of quality grapes amidst everchanging abiotic and biotic stresses.”
Ortiz will travel to Spain for 15 days in April to connect with winegrowers and winemakers who face similar threats to those in Washington state. Ortiz will collaborate with Jose Ramon of
Giviti, a vineyard management consulting firm in Spain, to delve into strategies concerning rising temperatures, cold damage, phylloxera, and water pH, with visits planned to Toledo, Andalucia, Rioja and other designated origins (DO) if time allows.
The Bill Powers Sabbatical is a collaborative effort between Badger Mountain Vineyard and Powers Winery, who started and continue to fund the sabbatical award to honour the legacy of their former owner.
Each year, one Washington state wine industry applicant is selected for the $5,000 award to empower themselves to grow professionally by travelling to an established wine-producing region of the world to further their learning and professional career and improve the Washington grape and wine industry. The Washington Wine Industry Foundation manages the sabbatical fund and selection process.
Upon returning from Spain, Ortiz will share her learnings with the industry through a report or presentation.
Viticulturist and assistant vineyard manager Monique Ortiz is heading to Spain to study innovative viticulture methods.
Photo contributed
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Upcoming Events
AgLife Connector Training
Mental health awareness training
April 16, 23 & 30 Online network@aglife.ca for more details and to register
Ontario Craft Wine Conference
Tuesday April 23 Niagara Falls, Ontario www.ontariocraftwineconference.ca
CPMA – Canadian Produce Marketing Association – 2024 Convention and trade show
April 23 to 25 Vancouver, BC www. convention.cpma.ca/home
Craft Beverage Expo
May 7 & 8 Reno, Nevada www.craftbeverageexpo.com
SIAL Canada
Agri-food business accelerator and trade show
May 15 to 17 Montreal, Quebec www.sialcanada.com/en
London Wine Fair
May 20 to 22 London, UK www.londonwinefair.com
USA Trade Tasting 2024 Wine conference and trade show
May 22 & 23 Chicago, Illinois www.usatradetasting.com
2024 International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show
July 23 & 24 San Francisco, California www.ibwsshow.com
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
September 10 to 12 Woodstock, Ontario www.outdoorfarmshow.com
Later this spring at bud break, vineyards will show the full story of the losses from the winter cold snap.
Replanting for Resilience Government support for struggling growers
BY RONDA PAYNE
Growers have been hit hard by a changing climate and governments are stepping up with financial and research support to revitalize farms and protect businesses.
A $70-million provincial replant program will assist B.C. fruit growers in planting varieties that can better withstand weather fluctuations. In a virtual appearance at the recent B.C. wine industry’s Insight Conference, B.C. Premier David Eby said the funding is needed more now than it has been in the past.
“For the critical work around replanting the trees, berry plants and vines that have been killed by the cold snap,” said Eby. “This $70-million replanting program should hopefully go a long way to getting fruit growers in our province back on their feet.”
The funds are intended for the replanting of grape, cherry, tree fruit and berry varieties that will better cope with extreme weather events. Once eligibility guidelines are created with sector associations, applications will open.
The new funding builds on the $15-million Perennial Crop Renewal Program launched in spring 2023, which has helped more than 200 producers remove diseased and unproductive plants and replace them with higher-quality crops.
As
spring 2024 nears, help arrives for growers in the way of a $70 million replant program, relaxed B.C. liquor rules and advocacy for crop insurance.
Photos by Yvonne Turgeon
Replants are occurring throughout the valley in a show of resilience.
“We could turn a crisis into an opportunity for the whole province,” said Eby. “We know here, in the government, how important the wine sector is to British Columbia. The wine industry touches so many different parts of our provincial economy.”
He described a tour of a Similkameen Valley vineyard where he saw the dead vines from the extreme temperatures.
“I understood in an instant how devastating this has been for many people in the industry,” he said.
He’d also met with tree fruit and berry growers. One grower said he needed to know if the government would support him or not so that he would know what to expect and be able to make decisions about his business.
“The sense of resignation and hopelessness about the series of events that he and his family had faced just really stayed with me,” he said. “I wanted to be here to say, look, we’ve got your back.”
Government staff will work with industry associations to develop
With production insurance
Source: BC Grape Growers Survey, 2024
planting guidelines to ensure replanted varieties have enhanced adaptability and performance in the face of climate change, pests, disease and market pressures.
As part of this investment, the government is also establishing a B.C. wine-grape sector task force to develop a research and varietal road
map for an economically viable B.C. wine-grape industry. The task force will run for two years and provide practical recommendations to producers and the industry about how to remain profitable and resilient. It will be comprised of Canadian and international experts, with members anticipated to be identified this year.
A vineyard on the Black Sage Bench in the South Okanagan being prepped for replanting.
Growers learned how to prune blueberries to balance growth and yield at a recent workshop.
Grape growers voice insurance concerns
BC Grape Growers’ Association surveyed their members about the recent winter damage. The results armed the association with hard facts about the people behind the need, equipping them with valuable insights when engaging with the business risk management group responsible for the province’s insurance.
Sue de Charmoy, president of the BC Grape Growers’ Association, emphasizes the importance of listening to growers’ concerns, particularly regarding production insurance.
“I think people just want to be heard,” she says.
She notes that approximately two- thirds of respondents were insured, with 30 percent having no insurance coverage. Additionally, nearly half are enrolled in AgriStability and 22 percent in AgriInvest for 2024.
She says some growers won’t have an income while they do a replant and wants to see them register for AgriStability.
“Our growers need to know that they need to get themselves registered,” she says. “AgriStability will make sure you have an income over the next few years based on your previous production.”
While late registration for the 2023 program is possible until the end of June, De Charmoy highlights the penalty for late participation. Enrollment for the 2024 program is open until the end of April.
However, wine-grape growers don’t feel the coverage they receive is adequate. Of those who made a claim for 2022/2023, the average rate of satisfaction was just 5.2 out of 10.
Some responses were telling: “The money received by the claim did not cover the loss we had in 2022/23;” “The Production Insurance team was very professional to deal with; they helped significantly.
WINE SECTOR SUPPORT EXPANDS WITH $177M INVESTMENT
During a visit to the Vancouver International Wine Festival on March 1, Parm Bains, B.C.’s Member of Parliament for Steveston– Richmond East, highlighted an extension to the Wine Sector Support Program. With an investment of up to $177 million over the next three years, the program will continue to help the Canadian wine sector improve its competitiveness and adapt to the challenges it faces.
“B.C. wines are known around the world for their quality and taste,” said Bains. “I proudly support and reaffirm our government’s commitment to grape growers, winemakers and the British Columbia wine industry to ensure its long-term sustainability and success.”
This follows an announcement made by Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri- Food, at Trius Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, earlier in the day.
“Canada’s wine sector creates jobs, drives economic growth, and supports so many communities right across the country,” said MacAulay. This extension of the Wine Sector Support Program will provide vitally important support to our wineries as they continue to innovate and adapt to challenges so the sector can stay strong and competitive for years to come.”
According to the most recent statistics from the Wine Growers British Columbia, the B.C. wine industry has an annual economic impact of over $3 billion and supports more than 14,000 jobs. The wine industry also provides a big boost to tourism, attracting
well over a million visitors to the province each year.
While the Canadian wine industry has seen considerable growth over the past several years, it continues to face a range of pressures impacting its financial resilience and competitiveness, including input price increases, labour shortages, climate limitations and severe weather events.
Initially launched in July 2022, the Wine Sector Support Program provides financial support to help licensed Canadian wineries adapt to ongoing and emerging challenges. This new funding will provide additional support to the wine sector, incentivizing investments that will help to capitalize on strengths and position it for long-term success.
The additional funding brings the government of Canada’s total investment through the program to over $343 million.
The national, regional and local economic contribution of Canada’s wine sector has a wide reach from grape growing to retail sales to tourism—while also helping the agricultural sector grow and diversify. The government of Canada will continue to work with the wine industry to strengthen the sector and keep it competitive.
Lawrence MacAulay Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Vineyard photo by Yvonne Turgeon; orchard photo by Ronda Payne; other contributed
“I understood in an instant how devastating this has been for many people in the industry.”
David Eby, Premier of B.C.
Unfortunately, the insurance system is not well set up and it did not effectively cover our loss;” and “Years with catastrophic valley-wide claims should not be included in the average crop coverage.”
Many respondents echoed this common concern, saying that severe losses disproportionately lower average production, compromising insurance coverage’s effectiveness.
De Charmoy sees the opportunity in this catastrophe.
“Maybe it’s created an opportunity to talk to business risk management about processes and policies,” she says. “That’s the opportunity out of this: to get ourselves invested.”
Delivering world-class visitor experience
Additionally, the B.C. government is working with wineries to support better experiences for visitors and promote tourism with a suite of policy changes to B.C. liquor laws.
At Insight, Roly Russell, parliamentary secretary for rural development, shared that new regulations should be in place in time for the summer.
Key to the changes is allowing wine sales in more places, including tours and picnic areas, and flexibility around wine sampling.
“That includes the ability to support betterguided tour experiences where people can sit and enjoy a glass of wine while on a tour,” he said. “All of this will make it clear that it’s okay to bring your glass of wine from one service area to another.”
“We know what a difficult time the last few years have been,” he said. “These improvements for the sector will help give our B.C. wineries more flexibility to deliver the tailored and worldclass visitor experience that they provide.” ■
BUYERS GUIDE THE 2024
Photo courtesy of Wine Growers British Columbia
Accounting-Taxes
MNP
250-979-2574 geoff.mcintyre@mnp.ca mnp.ca
As you grow, evolve and face challenges, we are here to support your journey. Whether you run a winery, cidery, or are involved in grape growing, fruit production, or supply, our specialists are here to help. With offices throughout B.C., we offer personalized and effective advice to meet your accounting, consulting, taxation, risk management and succession planning requirements. Let us help you grow and achieve your goals.
Landmark 7 1500-1700 Dickson Avenue Kelowna, BC
Aerial Surveying and Mapping
Geosurv Solutions
250-833-8663 todd@geosurv.ca geosurv.ca
Geosurv Solutions Inc. provides surveying, mapping and drone data collection services utilizing aerial photogrammetry and conventional techniques.
• Aerial mapping, data collection and inspection using visual, thermal and multi-spectral imagery
• Plant health mapping
• Vineyard and farm mapping, CAD design and construction staking
• Aerial thermal infrared mapping for heat stress, irrigation variability, site analysis
• Aerial photography and videography for real estate and marketing
Since its establishment in 2015, Swift Aerial Surveys has been at the forefront of delivering advanced agricultural intelligence. Specializing in cutting-edge surveying and mapping services, we harness the power of state-of-the-art drone technology to provide:
• Precision Vineyard Design and Layout
• Construction Surveying for Agricultural Projects
• Comprehensive Multispectral Imaging, encompassing NDVI, NDRE, and CWSI analysis
• Accurate Digital Terrain Modeling and Topographic Design
• Expert GIS and CAD Services meticulously crafted to meet the unique needs of agriculture.
Kent-Macpherson Appraisals Inc has built a reputation for professionalism and high standards, growing into one of Western Canada’s leading authorities in independent real estate valuation, consulting, and advisory services for both the private and public sectors. As agricultural properties throughout our valley are truly unique, detailed knowledge of the characteristics of any given property and all comparable market evidence is required in the valuation and consultation process. We pride ourselves in working with our clients to continue to serve the agricultural sector as a specialty service area for our company.
Unit 304-1708 Dolphin Ave. Kelowna, BC
Associations
BC Fruit Growers Association
250-762-5226
1-800-619-9022 info@bcfga.com bcfga.com
Helping to foster a healthy food system for the long-term prosperity of the tree fruit industry. Representing and serving tree fruit growers since 1889.
Exclusive benefits for grower- members including:
• four magazine/newspaper subscriptions,
• BCFGA EFP incentive,
• BCFGA Certificate of Recognition (on-farm safety) incentive,
• BCFGA TFW Application Assistance, and the Pesticide Applicators reCertification Program (no charge)
Acadian Plant Health™ is a biostimulant company with a core focus on sustainable, science- based biological solutions for specialty and broad-acre crops. Acadian is committed to launching patented innovative products, with a focus on regenerative and climate-smart agriculture.
Acadian’s world-leading crop science research and proprietary extracts comprise the foundation of the agricultural solutions we offer. We deliver key functionality to meet agricultural needs worldwide in the areas of performance and sustainability. Acadian Plant Health products are used in over 100 crops in more than 80 countries worldwide.
30 Brown Avenue Dartmouth, NS
Bottles
BosaGrape
Winery & Brew Supplies
604-473-9463
1-866-55GRAPE orders@bosagrape.com bosagrape.com
Bosagrape has been distributing ingredients, supplies, and equipment to the craft beverage industry since 1989. Call us; we always appreciate talking to you or check out our website and let us help. Big or small orders can be picked up in person, or we can ship your goods economically and swiftly throughout Canada. We are good at what we do!
Our Kelowna, Victoria and Richmond warehouses offer safe, secure and temperature-controlled facilities. We offer a logistics gateway to your customers and suppliers in B.C., Canada and around the world. From direct to store delivery of one case, to forwarding pallets and full truckloads. Due to current circumstances, we are working with you, our partners and now include tote and tanker logistic services to your doorstep. Our competitive pricing, technology, and industry & product knowledge, will exceed your logistics expectations.
At Universal Packaging, our specialties are screen-printing, glass decoration & bottle supply, and since 1985 we have grown our expertise to become one of North America’s leading bottle printing companies. Our family-owned company provides start to finish packaging out of our decorating facility in the Okanagan Valley. We offer glass bottles from around the world, screenprinting, label design services, cartons, closures and logistics.
We custom design pre-engineered steel buildings for
• Production Facilities
We custom design pre-engineered steel buildings for
• Boat Storage Facilities
• Aviation
• Production Facilities
• Wineries
• Boat Storage Facilites
• And more!
• Aviation
• Wineries
• And more!
All, or part of your building can be designed in steel, taking advantage of its low maintenance, energy efficiencies and long-term durability. We build across B.C. and beyond, and have been a family run business for over 30 years, successfully completing over 650 builds to date.
All, or part of your building can be designed in steel, taking advantage of its low maintenance, energy efficiencies and long-term durability. We build across BC and beyond, and have been a family run business for over 30 years, successfully completing over 650 builds to date. With
2711 Auburn Road West Kelowna, BC
Bulk Wine
ContainerWorld
604-276-1300
sales@containerworld.com containerworld.com
Our Kelowna, Victoria and Richmond warehouses offer safe, secure and temperature-controlled facilities. We offer a logistics gateway to your customers and suppliers in B.C., Canada and around the world. From direct to store delivery of one case, to forwarding pallets and full truckloads. Due to current circumstances, we are working with you, our partners and now include tote and tanker logistic services to your doorstep. Our competitive pricing, technology, and industry & product knowledge, will exceed your logistics expectations.
16133 Blundell Road Richmond, BC
Canning
Mile 37 Craft Canning Co.
778-217-1137
info@mile37.com mile37.com
Mile 37 provides the equipment, material, personnel and expertise to get your product into cans in the most hassle-free and cost-effective way possible. We come in with our equipment and leave you with packaged product at the end of the day. Competitive lead times.
Proud to offer many unique labelling options, including shrink sleeving and PS labels.
A family-owned and operated company that always goes the extra mile.
Locations in Port Coquitlam and Kelowna, BC
Crop Protection
Belchim Crop Protection Canada
519-826-7878
866-613-3336
info@belchim.com belchimcanada.com
Belchim Canada finds, develops, registers and promotes crop health products for Canadian growers to help them grow the highest quality food possible.
104-Unit 3 Cooper Drive Guelph, ON
Jim’s Supply Co.
1-509-233-5000
info@jimssupply.com jimssupply.com
Jim’s Supply Co., established in 1959, is the leading provider and manufacturer of trellising materials. Our domestic manufacturing facility allows us to work with growers to design the most effective and reliable trellising systems. We also carry various field supplies, including harvesting and pruning equipment, training and tying tools, safety and sanitation equipment, and much more! We have several locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
The world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. At BASF, we work with farmers, agricultural professionals and industry experts to help make this possible. We connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work — for farmers, society and the planet —and we’re proud to be able to offer a portfolio of products that give your fruits and vegetables excellent protection against weeds, disease and insects, keeping your crop thriving and healthy all season long.
510-28 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, AB
TerraLink
604-864-9044
1-800-661-4559 sales@tlhort.com tlhort.com
TerraLink has been serving growers and producers for half a century. We produce liquid and granular fertilizers (conventional, organic based and certified organic), and we distribute crop protection products, grass and forage seed, and supplies.
At TerraLink, we don’t just sell you products — we provide helpful advice and the service you need to get the best out of your crops.
Rooted in your community since 1973. Abbotsford • Chilliwack • Delta • Kelowna • Airdrie 464 Riverside Road, Abbotsford, BC
ACO Hygienic Drainage: Drainage systems are a particularly important niche for the persistence of listeria and can be a source of food contamination. Poorly specified drainage leads to costly ongoing cleaning and maintenance and at worst it can result in food contamination.
HygieneFirst stands for ACO’s commitment to ultimate hygienic performance. ACO addresses the hygienic requirements of floor drains and applies the design principles reserved for food contact equipment on them to deliver fully hygienic solutions.
#311-3602 Gilmore Way Burnaby, BC
Fabricating
Jim’s Supply Co.
1-509-233-5000 info@jimssupply.com jimssupply.com
Jim’s Supply Co., established in 1959, is the leading provider and manufacturer of trellising materials. Our domestic manufacturing facility allows us to work with growers to design the most effective and reliable trellising systems. We also carry various field supplies, including harvesting and pruning equipment, training and tying tools, safety and sanitation equipment, and much more! We have several locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
3500 Buck Owens Blvd Bakersfield, CA
2746 Kingsgate Way Richland, WA
Farm Equipment
Avenue Machinery Corp.
Abbotsford 604-864-2665
1-888-283-3276 Kelowna 250-769-8700 Vernon 250-545-3355 Rock Creek 250-446-2311 1-888-283-3276 reception@avenuemachinery.ca avenuemachinery.ca
Agricultural and light construction supply and service equipment.
Emerald Bay Agricultural Services Ltd. is a family operated agronomy and precision agriculture company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Farm in confidence with accurate data and solutions. Minimize costs and maximize profitability.
• Water management – drainage, weather and sell monitoring systems, soil type calculator.
5240 Highway 97A Vernon, BC
Gerard’s Equipment
250-498-2524 gerardsequipment.com
Proudly serving the Okanagan since 1973. We provide high quality farm equipment; vineyard and trellising supplies; and outdoor yard and garden products. We also provide repair service and replacement parts to most makes and models. In addition to our mainlines of Kubota tractors and STIHL garden implements we carry a large variety of tractor attachments; short line implements; pruning tools; bird scaring, trellising and harvesting supplies.
5592 Hwy 97 Oliver, BC
Matsqui Ag-Repair Ltd.
604-826-3281
admin@matsquiagrepair.com matsquiagrepair.com
New and used farm equipment sales.Authorized sales, service and parts for JCB, Kuhn, KIOTI, McHale and McCormick equipment.
Serving the Fraser Valley since 1989! 34856 Harris Rd. Abbotsford, BC
Farm Management
Fencing
Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) Inc.
204-348-3578
1-877-474-2871
Info@CAFAnet.ca CAFAnet.ca
CAFA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of advice for Canadian farm producers and their families. Our mission is to provide farmers with the best possible guidance and support, and to advance agribusiness in Canada. Seven Sisters Falls, MB
Jim’s Supply Co.
1-509-233-5000 info@jimssupply.com jimssupply.com
Jim’s Supply Co., established in 1959, is the leading provider and manufacturer of trellising materials. Our domestic manufacturing facility allows us to work with growers to design the most effective and reliable trellising systems. We also carry various field supplies, including harvesting and pruning equipment, training and tying tools, safety and sanitation equipment, and much more! We have several locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
3500 Buck Owens Blvd Bakersfield, CA 2746 Kingsgate Way Richland, WA
PWP is an industry leader in CCA pressure treated wood post and rail products for farm, orchard, vineyard and berry trellising meeting CSA080 standards. Guaranteed life expectancy of 25 years if not damaged or altered before or after installation.
Quaedvlieg Contracting Ltd.
Jordan 250-502-7001
Stew 250-506-0064
quaedvliegcontracting@gmail.com qcltd.ca
Post and Wire Sales
Where experience and customer service comes together!
Over the last 30 years we built our reputation by building a quality fence with great customer service. We have expanded our business to sell materials. We used our knowledge and knowhow to source the right materials. We are a dealer for PWP posts along with many steel products. Give us a call for your next trellis or fencing project. Keremeos, BC
Whether it’s soil imbalance or low levels of nutrients, Pacific Calcium provides a full line of fertilizers and soil amendments to fi t your conventional or organic farming needs.
We offer custom grinding, mixing, and granulating to form a uniprill for fast, even coverage of nutrients. We have readily available ingredients of calcium carbonate, dolomitic lime, fish bonemeal, feathermeal, potassium sulfate, and gypsum. We have distributors across the west coast, so look for Pacific Calcium.
Enrich your soil to improve your harvest. Superior Peat is a trusted supplier of organic peat, soils, composts and mulches. We have a tested and proven line of quality products and can also custom blend to meet your specific growing needs. OMRI listed products available.
1700 Carmi Avenue Penticton, BC
TerraLink
1-604-864-9044
1-800-661-4559
sales@tlhort.com tlhort.com
TerraLink has been serving growers and producers for half a century. We produce liquid and granular fertilizers (conventional, organic based and certified organic), and we distribute crop protection products, grass and forage seed, and supplies.
At TerraLink, we don’t just sell you products — we provide helpful advice and the service you need to get the best out of your crops.
Rooted in your community since 1973 Abbotsford • Chilliwack • Delta Kelowna • Airdrie 464 Riverside Road, Abbotsford, BC
FCC
250-470-5050
bckelowna@fcc-fac.ca fcc-fac.ca
The only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food. 1030-1700 Dickson Avenue Kelowna, BC
Our team approach allows us to connect you to the right people who understand the business of farming so we can help you make the best financial decisions for your business. 1633 Ellis Street, Unit 310, Kelowna, B
Get high performance fuel at a great price, plus a wide range of quality lubricants and storage tanks delivered right to your farm, orchard, or vineyard. We engineer our products to the highest standard so you can operate at top capacity and optimize your yield all year long at a competitive price.
350 Carion Road, Kelowna, BC
Insurance
Acera Insurance
250-808-6318 daniel.tassoni@acera.ca
250-212-6233 dave.ledinski@acera.ca acera.ca
Acera Insurance provides the highest quality insurance products and innovative risk-related solutions to vintners and wine distributors. With offices throughout the heart of B.C.’s wine region, our expert advisors truly understand the unique insurance needs of the wine industry.
Our competitively priced programs include coverage for direct losses to property, stock & equipment; lost income; food-borne illness; product recall; and liability protection from customer incidents. We also support non-insurable areas such as contract review, risk control for safety of premises and reviews of employee safety.
Kent-Macpherson Appraisals Inc has built a reputation for professionalism and high standards, growing into one of Western Canada’s leading authorities in independent real estate valuation, consulting, and advisory services for both the private and public sectors.
As agricultural properties throughout our valley are truly unique, detailed knowledge of the characteristics of any given property and all comparable market evidence is required in the valuation and consultation process. We pride ourselves in working with our clients to continue to serve the agricultural sector as a specialty service area for our company.
Unit 304-1708 Dolphin Ave. Kelowna, BC
Irrigation
Delta Water Products
Kamloops 250-372-9424 324 Mount Paul Way Info@deltairrigation.ca
West Kelowna 250-769-1300 1524 Byland Road kelownasales@deltairrigation.ca deltairrigation.ca
Delta has been providing irrigation solutions to BC growers in the Okanagan and Thompson region for 45 years. From design to supply, the friendly Delta team is your one stop shop for Vineyard and Orchard. We carry a full line of Drip and Sprinkler products from Rivulis, Nelson, and Toro, including Rondo sprinklers and Toro’s Tempus Wireless Controls.
Nelson Irrigation Corporation plans, designs, develops, manufactures and sells proprietary products for the irrigation equipment market. It is focused on products and services that improve the state-of-the-art of irrigation by saving water, saving energy and doing a better job of irrigating.
Southern Irrigation is a family-owned and operated business that has been supplying quality irrigation products and solutions for the last 30 years. We are committed to providing outstanding customer service while adhering to the highest ethical conduct. Our head office is located in Chilliwack, with additional locations in Kamloops, Oliver, Williams Lake, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Wood Stock.
Labels & Labeling Equipment
Great Little Box Company / Ideon Packaging
604-301-3700
1-800-661-3377
Info@glbc.com glbc.com
Kelowna 250-765-6988
Victoria 250-384-3382
Everett 425-349-4522
Your local source for label and packaging solutions, specializing in corrugated boxes, custom displays, digital print and packaging, labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, protective packaging, and the distribution of shipping supplies. With over 40 years of packaging experience serving Western Canada and recognized for its excellence in customer service, GLBC provides businesses with an efficient, onesource packaging solution.
11300 Twigg Place Richmond, BC
International Bar Coding Systems & Consulting
250-493-3201
1-800-661-5570
sales@ibcworld.net ibcworld.net
International Bar Coding is a one - vendor solution for barcoding, labeling, automatic identification and data capture, automation and traceability. Whether you’re tracking raw material, work in progress, or finished product, IBC has the tools to help you collect your data in real time and utilize it fully. With traceability solutions used by fruit & vegetable producers, beverage and wine producers, cannabis producers, and consumer packaged goods manufacturers across North America, IBC is the technology leader for businesses looking to keep score.
160 Satikw Crossing Penticton, BC
Universal Packaging
250-549-1323
1-866-549-1323
info@thinkuniversal.com thinkuniversal.com
At Universal Packaging, our specialties are screen-printing, glass decoration & bottle supply, and since 1985 we have grown our expertise to become one of North America’s leading bottle printing companies. Our family-owned company provides start to finish packaging out of our decorating facility in the Okanagan Valley. We offer glass bottles from around the world, screenprinting, label design services, cartons, closures and logistics.
1810 Kosmina Road Vernon, BC
Mobile Juicing
Okanagan Beverage Co.
250-550-8885
info@okbevco.com okanaganbeverageco.com
Discover the exceptional fruit processing and co-packing expertise of Okanagan Beverage Co., blending innovation and quality to bring your beverage to market. We offer a comprehensive suite of co-packing services tailored to your unique needs including any combination of pressing, blending, pasteurizing, bottling and/ or bag-in-box filling, custom labelling and packaging. At Okanagan Beverage Co., we are committed to producing your product with precision and care, offering a one-stop solution for all your beverage processing needs.
Netting
Jim’s Supply Co.
1-509-233-5000 info@jimssupply.com jimssupply.com
Jim’s Supply Co., established in 1959, is the leading provider and manufacturer of trellising materials. Our domestic manufacturing facility allows us to work with growers to design the most effective and reliable trellising systems. We also carry various field supplies, including harvesting and pruning equipment, training and tying tools, safety and sanitation equipment, and much more! We have several locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
3500 Buck Owens Blvd Bakersfield, CA 2746 Kingsgate Way Richland, WA
Nursery Supplies
Jim’s Supply Co.
1-509-233-5000 info@jimssupply.com jimssupply.com
Jim’s Supply Co., established in 1959, is the leading provider and manufacturer of trellising materials. Our domestic manufacturing facility allows us to work with growers to design the most effective and reliable trellising systems. We also carry various field supplies, including harvesting and pruning equipment, training and tying tools, safety and sanitation equipment, and much more! We have several locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
3500 Buck Owens Blvd Bakersfield, CA 2746 Kingsgate Way Richland, WA
Knights Grapevine Nursery
United States: Eckhard Kaesekamp 1-707-350-1148 eckhard@knightsgrapevinenursery.com
Canada: Christian Mitzel 604-209-5178 christian@okvineclusive.ca https://knightsgrapevinenursery.com
Knights Grapevine Nursery is a nursery focused on guarding against viruses and diseases that threaten our industry. Since 2014 they have implemented an ‘every vine tested’ protocol, working with only tested and approved material. With Eckhard and Benjamin Kaesekamp’s reputation for high quality vines, strong commitment to customer service and years of experience, as well as its isolated Northern California location, Knights Grapevine Nursery is your best choice for the strongest, cleanest plants!
Wonderful Nurseries is one of North America’s largest producers of dormant field-grown benchgrafts. They also produce greenhouse-grown benchgrafts, rootstock rootings, own-rooted vines, and cuttings, and currently offer a wide selection of popular varieties, new table grape releases, other table and raisin grape varieties, almonds and pistachios.
27920 McCombs Road Wasco, CA 93280
Orchard Supplies
Gerard’s Equipment
250-498-2524 gerardsequipment.com
Proudly serving the Okanagan since 1973. We provide high quality farm equipment; vineyard and trellising supplies; and outdoor yard and garden products. We also provide repair service and replacement parts to most makes and models. In addition to our mainlines of Kubota tractors and STIHL garden implements we carry a large variety of tractor attachments; short line implements; pruning tools; bird scaring, trellising and harvesting supplies.
5592 Hwy 97 Oliver, BC
Packaging Containers & Boxes
Great Little Box Company / Ideon Packaging
604-301-3700
1-800-661-3377
Info@glbc.com glbc.com
Kelowna 250-765-6988
Victoria 250-384-3382
Everett 425-349-4522
Your local source for label and packaging solutions, specializing in corrugated boxes, custom displays, digital print and packaging, labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, protective packaging, and the distribution of shipping supplies.
With over 40 years of packaging experience serving Western Canada and recognized for its excellence in customer service, GLBC provides businesses with an efficient, onesource packaging solution.
PWP is an industry leader in CCA pressure treated wood post and rail products for farm, orchard, vineyard and berry trellising meeting CSA080 standards. Guaranteed life expectancy of 25 years if not damaged or altered before or after installation.
N.M. Bartlett Inc.
905-563-8261
1-800-263-1287 info@bartlett.ca bartlett.ca
Bartlett’s are a crop protection distributor in Canada specializing in specialty horticulture products. Family owned and operated now in its fourth generation with over 100 years of experience in the Canadian hort segment.
4509 Bartlett Rd. Beamsville, ON
Redden Net & Rope Ltd.
604-274-1422 604-506-5043 1-866-233-1422 mark@redden-net.com redden-rope.com/vineyard-netting Distributor of Most Economical Vineyard netting.
Founded in 1989, Distributions Solida Inc. specializes in the sale of integrated pest management supplies to growers, scouts, researchers, and other stakeholders in agriculture, commercial pest control, forestry, green spaces and horticulture, and invasive exotic species monitoring. Our product offerings include insect pheromone lures, traps, and other monitoring tools.
Founded in 1989, Distributions Solida Inc. specializes in the sale of integrated pest management supplies to growers, scouts, researchers, and other stakeholders in agriculture, commercial pest control, forestry, green spaces and horticulture, and invasive exotic species monitoring. Our product offerings include insect pheromone lures, traps, and other monitoring tools.
490 Rang Saint-Antoine Saint-Ferréol-Les-Neiges, QC
Real Estate
Geen + Byrne Real Estate Team RE/MAX Kelowna
250-878-6545
sales@geenbyrne.com okanaganfarms.com
Looking to sell or buy a farm in the Okanagan Valley? You need substantial experience, significant industry knowledge and specific proven marketing working on your side!
Geen + Byrne has been turning real estate goals and dreams into reality for over 40 years combined, selling hundreds of farms throughout the Okanagan.
Enrich your soil to improve your harvest. Superior Peat is a trusted supplier of organic peat, soils, composts and mulches. We have a tested and proven line of quality products and can also custom blend to meet your specific growing needs. OMRI listed products available.
1700 Carmi Avenue Penticton, BC
Soil Testing
Emerald Bay Ag Services Ltd.
250-550-0545
doug@emeraldbayag.com emeraldbayag.com
Emerald Bay Agricultural Services Ltd. is a family operated agronomy and precision agriculture company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Farm in confidence with accurate data and solutions. Minimize costs and maximize profitability.
Our Kelowna, Victoria and Richmond warehouses offer safe, secure and temperature-controlled facilities. We offer a logistics gateway to your customers and suppliers in B.C., Canada and around the world. From direct to store delivery of one case, to forwarding pallets and full truckloads. Due to current circumstances, we are working with you, our partners and now include tote and tanker logistic services to your doorstep. Our competitive pricing, technology, and industry & product knowledge, will exceed your logistics expectations.
16133 Blundell Road Richmond, BC
Kelowna 250-769-8700 Vernon 250-545-3355 Rock Creek 250-446-2311
1-888-283-3276
reception@avenuemachinery.ca avenuemachinery.ca
Agricultural and light construction supply and service equipment.
Emerald Bay Agricultural Services Ltd. is a family operated agronomy and precision agriculture company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Farm in confidence with accurate data and solutions. Minimize costs and maximize profitability.
• Water management – drainage, weather and sell monitoring systems, soil type calculator. 5240 Highway 97A Vernon, BC
Gerard’s
Equipment
250-498-2524 gerardsequipment.com
Proudly serving the Okanagan since 1973. We provide high quality farm equipment; vineyard and trellising supplies; and outdoor yard and garden products. We also provide repair service and replacement parts to most makes and models. In addition to our mainlines of Kubota tractors and STIHL garden implements we carry a large variety of tractor attachments; short line implements; pruning tools; bird scaring, trellising and harvesting supplies.
The New Holland ag and construction dealer for over 30 years. Serving the Okanagan, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. Also Dealers for Perfect Van Wamel, Cub Cadet and now S.A.E supplying Porter Bin Lifts and Turbmatic Sprayers from Italy.
The New Holland ag and construction dealer for over 30 years. Serving the Okanagan, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.
Also dealers for Perfect Van Wamel, Cub Cadet and now S.A.E supplying Porter Bin Lifts and Turbmatic Sprayers from Italy.
Now we’ve become an authorized Yanmar Agriculture Dealer.
“You ask, we create.” With 84 years of experience, ATAGO® brings together the grape and wine industry’s trust in arguably the world’s best refractometers since 1940. ATAGO® offers precise quality control instruments. Whether out in the field or laboratory, ATAGO® instruments can offer simple solutions to measuring Brix, pH, and/or total acidity. Visit atago-usa. com to learn how our instruments can benefit your company.
14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 450 Bellevue, WA
Gerard’s Equipment
250-498-2524 gerardsequipment.com
Proudly serving the Okanagan since 1973. We provide high quality farm equipment; vineyard and trellising supplies; and outdoor yard and garden products. We also provide repair service and replacement parts to most makes and models. In addition to our mainlines of Kubota tractors and STIHL garden implements we carry a large variety of tractor attachments; short line implements; pruning tools; bird scaring, trellising and harvesting supplies.
5592 Hwy 97 Oliver, BC
Jim’s Supply Co.
1-509-233-5000 info@jimssupply.com jimssupply.com
Jim’s Supply Co., established in 1959, is the leading provider and manufacturer of trellising materials. Our domestic manufacturing facility allows us to work with growers to design the most effective and reliable trellising systems. We also carry various field supplies, including harvesting and pruning equipment, training and tying tools, safety and sanitation equipment, and much more! We have several locations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
3500 Buck Owens Blvd Bakersfield, CA
2746 Kingsgate Way Richland, WA
Viticulture
VineTech Canada
British Columbia
250-809-6040
bcsales@vinetech.ca
Ontario 905-984-4324 sales@vinetech.ca vintech.ca
Producers of Canadian grafted and own rooted Grapevines. Importers of Certified Grapevines from Europe and the United States for sale across Canada. We also offer custom grafting, potted grapevines, trellising material and planting.
Our Kelowna, Victoria and Richmond warehouses offer safe, secure and temperature-controlled facilities. We offer a logistics gateway to your customers and suppliers in B.C., Canada and around the world. From direct to store delivery of one case, to forwarding pallets and full truckloads. Due to current circumstances, we are working with you, our partners and now include tote and tanker logistic services to your doorstep. Our competitive pricing, technology, and industry & product knowledge, will exceed your logistics expectations.
Bosagrape has been distributing ingredients, supplies, and equipment to the craft beverage industry since 1989. Call us; we always appreciate talking to you or check out our website and let us help. Big or small orders can be picked up in person, or we can ship your goods economically and swiftly throughout Canada. We are good at what we do!
6908 Palm Avenue Burnaby, BC
Inovawine
1-877-460-9463 Kelowna 250-868-3186 St. Catherines 905-246-8316 inquiries@cellartek.com cellartek.com
CellarTek is at the forefront of the commercial food & beverage industry, based in Canada and serving all of North America. CellarTek offers quality equipment, supplies and ingredients ranging from fruit reception and stainless tanks, to packaging and all points of processing and service needs between. We are continually searching our global network for the finest quality equipment, products and supplies for the beverage production industry and we encourage you to browse our website for your winery, brewery, cider making or distilling needs.
Kelowna, BC St. Catharines, ON
418-860-7987
sales@inovawine.com inovawine.com
Technologie Inovaweld is a Canadian manufacturer of stainless steel drums & barrels for the wine, cider & spirit industries. All of our containers are seamless and laser welded with top quality stainless steel.
Sizes: 100, 125, 208, 227, 300 litres
139 Rue du Parc de Innovation La Pocatière, QC
Gusmer Enterprises, Inc.
1-559-485-2692
1-866-213-1131
sales@gusmerenterprises.com GusmerWine.com
Celebrating 100 years in business in 2024, Gusmer offers a full line of products and solutions for the wine and cider industries including yeast, bacteria, fermentation nutrients, processing aids, filtration media and equipment, analytical instrumentation and analytical laboratory services—all backed by strong technical support.
81 M Street Fresno, CA
Scan QR code to see the Buyers Guide online
Cellar Tek
Honouring Canadian wine
Industry Leaders
BY YVONNE TURGEON
Wine Growers Canada (WGC) and Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) honoured Canadian wine industry leaders at a joint awards ceremony this March.
Canadian Wine Industry Awards recognize those who have gone above and beyond to support the growth of the wine industry in Canada.
The BC Industry Recognition Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements and contributions to the B.C. wine industry. This year, Wine Growers BC introduced inclusive new categories to better represent the talented people in the industry: Master Marketer, Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador and Leadership Excellence awards.
BC Wine Master Marketer Award UncorkBC
The Master Marketer Award recognizes an innovative winery, regional wine association, retailer, restaurant or tourism organization that thought outside the box this year to promote the wines of B.C. The winner of this inaugural award is UncorkBC.
“We are thrilled to see that the industry has recognized Kayla Bordignon from UncorkBC as this year’s Master Marketer,” says Kimberley Barnes, marketing director, WGBC. “Kayla’s passion for promoting the wines of B.C. is showcased throughout her social media platforms as well as her innovative BC Wine Passport that connects local wineries with engaged wine consumers from across the province.”
Kayla Bordignon, here with a glass of BC’s nest in hand, connects wine lovers to the region through her passport program.
Wyse family honoured
Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction
Wyse Family
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
The founding family of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in the South Okanagan was honoured with the highest form of peer recognition in the Canadian wine industry: the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction.
“The Wyse family’s unwavering focus on premium, quality wines, along with their pioneering commitment to the environment, has made an enduring mark on the B.C. wine industry,” said Wine Growers Canada’s president and CEO, Dan Paszkowski, who presented the family the award at a ceremony in Penticton in March.
In 1993, while working on a development project in Vernon, Jim Wyse stumbled upon an affordable and neglected vineyard south of Oliver, B.C. This 100-acre property would lay the foundation for what would grow into the esteemed Burrowing Owl Estate.
The idea was simply to grow and sell grapes. The quality of their harvest quickly indicated the potential for a larger venture. With the help of investors, the initial 100 acres grew to be 300 acres.
By 1998, buoyed by the success of their grapes, the decision to establish the winery materialized—a leap of faith that would redefine their lives and the fabric of the B.C. wine industry. And yes, some Black Sage vineyards were sold off to fund the expansion.
The Wyse family lives by a philosophy that blends environmental care with the art of winemaking. Solar panels are strategically placed across the property, including atop the winery and other buildings, to harness the abundant sunlight the region receives, and efforts continue to conserve the burrowing owl, its namesake.
From atop the Black Sage Bench, patrons of Burrowing Owl’s tasting room, guest house and restaurant enjoy sweeping views of the South Okanagan vineyards.
“The Wyse family has made an enduring mark on the B.C. wine industry.”
— Dan Paszkowski, president, Wine Growers Canada
Since opening their doors, tasting fees of $5 per patron have been channelled towards the conservation of the owls.
“The dedication of three generations of their family to an innovative, energy-efficient winery, a culinary and wine tourism destination, and the conservation of the burrowing owl —their winery namesake— leaves a huge legacy on the wider wine industry in British Columbia and across Canada,” said Paszkowski.
The Wyses offer a complete tourism package. With sweeping views of the South Okanagan vineyards, the Sonora Room Restaurant provides a serene backdrop to experience the marriage of fine wines and exquisite culinary creations that take center stage. Onsite guest rooms offer an intimate connection to the surrounding landscape.
In the tasting room, the Burrowing Owl portfolio, from the robust Meritage blends to pioneering wine styles, reflects a dedication to quality.
In 2008, inspired by Jim’s appreciation for port-style wines, the winemaking team took on the challenge of creating a wine to complement the desserts in their Sonora Room. This led to the production of their first fortified wine named Coruja, the Portuguese word for owl which was aged for three years and released in 2011.
A blend that incorporates vintages from each year since its debut, this Syrah-based Coruja is lauded for striking a perfect balance between sweetness and alcohol. This wine enhances the dining experience without overwhelming the palate.
The estate started producing Chardonnay in 1997, with some of the
Chardonnay vines dating back to the 1993 planting. The most current release showcases a balanced oak influence and refreshing acidity and exemplifies their nuanced approach to wine production.
Their Cabernet Franc rosé showcases the family’s adventurous spirit.
The “crazy, delicate pink colour” of this rosé diverges from traditional expectations with its complex aroma profile, including hints of cotton candy, strawberry, rhubarb, and a vegetal note characteristic of the Cabernet Franc grape. Its complexity and depth set it apart from more casual, easy-drinking rosé wines, catering instead to those with a keen palate for nuanced flavours.
In 2021, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery marked a significant expansion by acquiring the Okanagan
A burrowing owl stands poised on a sunlit spot, its bright eyes vigilant and curious, embodying the spirit of the vineyard that shares its name and champions its conservation.
Falls-based Wild Goose Winery, a well-regarded brand with its own storied tradition of excellence.
Last harvest, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery commemorated its 30th anniversary since the vineyard’s initial planting, marking three decades of remarkable growth and achievement.
JJJim and Midge Wyse accept the award with their son Chris.
Wyse family photo by Royce Sihlis, other photos courtesy of Burrowing Owl
Cheers to collaboration!
Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award
Gina Haverstock
The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award celebrates great Canadian winemakers, in honour of the legacy of the late Karl Kaiser, a Canadian wine industry pioneer and viticultural visionary.
The recipient of this year’s award is Gina Haverstock, the head winemaker at Devonian Coast family of wineries located in Nova Scotia.
“With over 15 vintages under her belt, Gina has been committed since the outset of her career to terroir-driven, aromatic wines, and in so doing, has helped put the wines of Nova Scotia on the radar of consumers across Canada and around the world,” said Paszkowski.
Gina Haverstock gracefully accepts the Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award, which recognizes her contributions to Canadian wine through a career dedicated to terroir-driven excellence.
Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador Award
Bram Bolwijn
New this year, the Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador Award celebrates a frontline winery individual who is passionate about sharing their love of the B.C. wine industry with their guests and makes a positive impact on both their guests and their teams.
This year’s winner is Bram Bolwijn, guest and VIP experience manager at Iconic Wineries of B.C.
“Bram is so knowledgeable about the entire world of wine, but his passion for the Okanagan shines brightly and is infectious,” says Samantha Collins, vice-president of marketing for Iconic Wineries of B.C.
“He has put so much time into educating consumers, mentoring young sommeliers and putting the Okanagan on the world stage.
BC Leadership Excellence Award
Severine Pinte
The Wine Growers British Columbia Leadership Excellence Award (formerly Industry Recognition Award) was established in 2013 to honour a individual, business or organization for support of the B.C. wine industry and BC VQA Wine through media, research, policy, regulation, education or advocacy.
The 2024 winner is Severine Pinte, a winemaker, viticulturist and managing partner at Enotecca Wineries & Resorts (Le Vieux Pin and LaStella Winery). Pinte serves as chair of Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia.
“Severine’s passion and dedication to the B.C. wine industry shines through in all that she does,” says Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers BC. “Not only does Severine produce some of the most delicious wines in the Okanagan, but she is also a champion of sustainability, and is always willing to lend her expertise to her community.
“Thank you, Severine for your dedication and for helping shape the future of the B.C. wine industry for generations to come.”
Past recipients include sommelier Kurtis Kolt, wine writers Tim Pawsey and John Schreiner, Jeffrey Thomas of the BC Wine Authority, MLA and former Parliamentary Secretary of Liquor, John Yap.
Winemaker and viticulturist Severine Pinte was honoured for her advocacy efforts.
The ultimate wine ambassador, Bram Bolwijn pours a unique tasting in the vineyard.
“I remember the deep pleasure of breathing in this sweet scent of grapes hanging heavy in the air.”
—Natalie MacLean, author
Canadian Wine Industry Champion Award
Natalie MacLean
Each year the Wine Industry Champion Award is presented to an individual who has provided exemplary support to the Canadian wine industry through media, policy or advocacy.
The 2024 award was presented to Natalie MacLean, acclaimed Ontario-based author, wine expert and editor of wine site nataliemaclean.com.
“Natalie has demonstrated incredible dedication to demystifying the world of wine, and to shining a positive light on the quality and diversity of Canadian wines from coast-tocoast,” said Paszkowski.
With her permission, Orchard & Vine has reprinted the words she shared with those gathered to honour the wine industry leaders.
BY NATALIE MACLEAN
Ifeel so fortunate to be part of an industry that creates something that not only contributes so much to our economy, but also to our souls: with its sensory pleasures and its family roots and its wild diversity. My only regret was that I did not join the wine industry earlier.
When I graduated from business school, I was so pragmatic. 'Following your passion," that was for arts majors, so I joined Procter and Gamble on the Crisco brand. I spent many soulless nights watching focus groups of women talk about their flaky pie crusts, and really tried hard to pour my soul into baking fat.
So I thought, well, maybe high tech would be more interesting. I worked for a computer company that was based in Mountain View,
California, which eventually got sold and is now the campus of Google.
And, it was more exciting, but I didn’t ever feel grounded in a culture that urged us to move fast and break things.
The best thing that came from visiting California so frequently was that I developed a taste for Napa Valley wine. Everybody has to start somewhere, right?
When I finally joined the wine industry, I felt like I had dropped out of a brave new world and stumbled onto the set of Downton Abbey. Instead of move fast and break things, it was, well, move slow and maybe let’s heal some things — like the healing that can come through a quiet conversation over a great glass of wine, or the sun sliding over your shoulders as you walk out into the vineyard.
I remember the deep pleasure of breathing in this sweet scent of grapes hanging heavy in the air.
So, wine drew me outside. It got me out of my head and off my computer that I was chained to in my high tech job.
In that industry, people used to brag about sleeping under their desks so that they could work longer. I am guilty as well of that. We used to say we were the mole people and we shunned the sunlight.
Now I think, of how the Canadian wine industry has been through many dark nights of the soul, particularly here in the West.
Up to a certain point, I know what it’s like to have your personal and your professional life go up in flames, which is what I wrote about in my latest book (which has the cheery title of Wine Witch on Fire, Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much.)
Dry extract refers to what’s left of wine’s flavours after all of the moisture has evaporated. And I think that dry extract is in us too, as people, especially in this industry. It’s what’s left after life has boiled us down to our essence. And I believe that if we can hold on to it, we can rise again.
That is what I see for Canadian wine. No other industry has the potential for renewal and growth and revitalization. No other industry celebrates what is cyclical and seasonal and completely out of our control.
Wine for me can reach the place that baking fat or any other consumer product cannot reach.
I’ve been fortunate to win a few writing awards in the U.S. and Australia, but nothing compares to being recognized by your own people for something more than just words on the page. I think about it as a calling, really, for something that embraces your mind, your body and your soul.
So I would like to thank you all here tonight for creating something out of sun and soil, something that we can all pour our souls into. Cheers to you. ■
The stunning rows of
will soon look different and some may end up with new owners.
Winter sparks Winter
As B.C. vineyard owners face financial strains, a surge in winery sales emerges amidst the frosty aftermath of crop failures.
vines in Naramata
sell-offs freeze
BY GARY SYMONS
In the wake of two catastrophic years for wine grapes in the Thompson Okanagan, some believe the industry is no longer viable. They are putting up the “For Sale” sign.
An extreme cold event between January 11 and 15 wreaked havoc on the region’s vineyards, with temperatures plummeting as low as -27°C, destroying the buds destined to become wine grapes.
Losses for the B.C. wine industry are near 100 percent, except for roughly three percent of grapes grown in the Lower Mainland and Island regions.
Last year, a similar cold snap destroyed roughly half of the crop and many vines were severely damaged or killed.
“People are reeling; it’s devastating news,” says Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. “For all intents and purposes, we’re not going to have any wine grape crop this fall.
“Without grapes, you can’t make wine.”
Although Prodan admits the industry faces a daunting challenge, he also stresses, “While this may be the collapse of the 2024 vintage, it is not the collapse of the B.C. wine industry.”
B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food Pam Alexis, shares that sentiment.
“In the years ahead, I believe B.C. winemakers will continue making world-class wines, enjoyed by locals and those visiting from near and far,” she says.
However, grape growers, wineries, suppliers and distributors currently face significant revenue losses. The complete loss of the crop is calculated to result in a $346 million loss to growers and wineries, another $99 million to support industries, and an untold amount from job losses that will occur as work dries up for farm workers, winemakers and hospitality staff throughout the region.
The wine industry is among the most significant drivers of tourism in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Prior to the pandemic, the Okanagan Valley alone logged 1.2 million wine tourists in 2019, which fell to just 254,000 in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Those numbers were recovering, but crop failures combined with the 2021 heat dome and devastating wildfires over the past few years have dampened that part of the business.
Experts in agriculture say the shift in weather patterns due to climate change is prompting many winery owners and growers to rethink their future.
Realtor, Scott Marshall, who specializes in agricultural real estate and is part of a fifth-generation farm family, says some people are selling their wineries and vineyards because costs are rising and revenues are being crushed by crop failures.
Photo courtesy of Wine Growers British Columbia
“I have multiple wineries listed right now, and I know there are more than 40 wineries for sale throughout the Central and South Okanagan,” he says. “That number is projected to increase to closer to 80 as the year goes on.”
Marshall says owners face a triple whammy of factors that will drive some out of the business. The most significant is crop damage and reduced overall production. Still,
“For all intents and purposes, we’re not going to have any wine grape crop this fall.”
—Miles Prodan, president and CEO, Wine Growers British Columbia
farmers and wineries also face higher interest rates, increasing their debt payments. Finally, many are heavily leveraged as they borrowed to get through crises like the pandemic and the crop damage in 2023.
“When you’re looking at a year when the entire crop is wiped out, that can be the tipping point where being in the wine industry just doesn’t make sense anymore for people in that position,” says Marshall.
Yet, he shares the conviction that the 2024 crop loss won’t spell the end of the overall industry. He believes that while some operators with fewer financial resources behind them may decide to sell and move
on, large operations with significant reserves will likely take advantage of falling land prices to snap up some of the best vineyards in the region.
For example, when the organic vineyard at St. Hubertus Estate Winery on the South Kelowna Slopes went up for sale, it immediately attracted multiple buyers.
Marshall foresees a general consolidation in the vineyard and winery industry.
“Basically, the smaller guys who don’t have financial firepower, who’ve gotten beat up over the last few years, I expect some of them to exit the industry,” he says. “Some of the bigger guys in a good financial
Reto Gebert of St. Hubertus and Oak Bay Vineyards in Kelowna was determining the best way to prune vines this year at a BC Grape Growers’ Association workshop in Kelowna.
position will be on the lookout for deals on good vineyards and frankly, a good deal of vineyard land should be coming up for sale, especially if there has been a full wipeout.”
Those considering replanting will have the support of the B.C. government. The agriculture minister says the message she’s bringing to growers and winemakers alike is that the province will stand behind them.
“I’ve been meeting with representatives from B.C. wineries to let them know we are committed to working collaboratively with them so we can ensure their long-term sustainability and success, which is the future I see for them,” says Alexis.
“In the years ahead, I believe B.C. winemakers will continue making world-class wines, enjoyed by locals and those visiting from near and far.”
—Pam Alexis, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food
46 Acre Riverfront Estate Cawston
FRUIT STAND? Call us if you’re looking!
Vineyard photo by Myrna Stark Leader; Alexis photo by Ronda Payne
Sustainabilityfocused Off the Grid Organic Winery is one of several
B.C. FARMLAND VALUES DROPPING
Farm Credit Canada’s latest FCC Farmland Values 2023 report isn’t likely to inspire confidence for vineyard owners looking to sell. On average, cultivated farmland in B.C. decreased in value by 3.1 percent in 2023 compared to the national increase of 11.5 percent.
The Kootenay region had an increase of 7.6 per cent but neighbouring Okanagan area saw a decrease of 4.5 percent while the South Coast had the greatest dip at a 19.3 percent decrease. Sales of vineyards and orchards were not included in the report because B.C.’s fruitland sales were too slow to indicate any measurable trend.
The recent crop failure combined with wildfires and other extreme weather incidents have impacted farmland values.
“I have multiple wineries listed right now, and I know there are more than 40 wineries for sale throughout the Central and South Okanagan.”
Scott Marshall, realtor, RE/MAX Kelowna
Included in that support, she says, will be money for a replant program.
“As part of our government’s historic $200 million investment in B.C. food security in 2023, we are working hard to develop programs that support innovation, climate resiliency and increased production for all crop producers in B.C. This includes a perennial crop renewal program to help revitalize the tree fruit and grape sectors with projects that remove unproductive or damaged crops and replace them with new varieties that are heartier to a region’s climate conditions.”
On March 12, the ministry announced a $70 million replant program.
Last year, the province also provided $27 million in production insurance claims for grape growers for the previous winter’s cold damage.
Alexis says the government is convinced the industry will not only survive this crisis but will go on to thrive.
“There is no doubt producers are currently facing challenges in the wake of a changing climate and those losses have been significant both in the vineyards and for the people working in them but I also believe, without a doubt, we will overcome the challenges by working together.” ■
wineries currently up for sale in the Okanagan.
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Vines
Almonds
Pistachios
IA fresh approach, together
Changes and challenges faced by committed farmers
must confess that I stole most of the title, A Fresh Approach, from the theme of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada’s (FVGC) annual general meeting that was held March 5 to 7 in Ottawa. My first day on the job started at three in the morning as I hustled to the airport to catch an early flight across the country. Of course, I would never dare complain about early mornings to a group of farmers, the original early risers. It was well worth the trip. What a privilege it was to start this new position in our nation’s capital, surrounded by the best and the brightest from across commodities and across the country.
So many of the folks I met at the FVGC meeting are paragons in their field. Some are second or third generation farmers and many have been involved for more years than I’ve had birthdays. The awards given out at the banquet honoured a number of these veterans of horticulture, including my predecessor, Glen Lucas. Glen, who is retiring after 26 years at the helm of the BCFGA, was awarded the Doug Connery Award that publicly recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement and advancement
of the industry. It was a conference filled with accomplished and esteemed leaders in horticulture, but any bit of intimidation I felt quickly vanished as I was warmly welcomed into the group.
I write this update from my newly inherited office, where there is a plaque that reminds me that the BCFGA was a founding member of FVGC in 1922, then the Canadian Horticulture Council. The BCFGA is 135 years old. A Fruitful Century, by Dendy and Kyle, is a fantastic history lesson on the fruit industry and BCFGA from 1889 to 1989, and I’m sure an equally compelling volume could be written on 1990 to 2024. Our farmers have demonstrated their resilience and dedication to their craft and the land time and time again. There is a legacy in our industry and a tradition in our valley that deserves respect and honour. And yet, it doesn’t seem to be enough. Our local fruit growers are hurting and this is a theme I heard from growers across commodities and across the country. The world is vastly different than it was 135 years ago. Heck, it’s vastly different than it was 10 years ago. Independent grocers have largely been replaced by powerful
multinational chains that don’t seem to care much for where in the world their fruit comes from as long as they can get it as cheaply as possible. The empty produce shelves of the Covid era are no longer top of mind, and local food security has fallen back down the priority list of the government and the public alike. We need the public to value local and we need a food system that is capable of feeding our own in times of crisis. We need a fresh approach.
Glen Lucas’s outstanding contributions to the fruit industry were recognized at the Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ of Canada AGM with the Doug Connery award.
Extreme climate events continue to pummel our fruit growers, year after year. Heat domes, droughts, fires, smoke and sudden cold snaps. Each disaster brings its own challenges for that year, but in a perennial system like tree fruit, the cumulative impacts of perpetually stressed trees can’t be ignored. The world continues to ask our farmers to do more and better for the environment, but rarely stops to realize what the environment is doing to farming. The safety net for growers is a suite of business risk management programs, but these programs were designed for maybe one really tough year per decade. They were not designed for today’s reality of one tough year after another, never mind a devastating year like the one ahead of us. We need a fresh approach.
The increasingly warm weather means more pressure from the pests we already have and our globalized world means that new pests are on our doorstep, threatening. Tighter restrictions on pesticides mean fewer products are available to growers and weird weather patterns means that old spray timings can no longer be relied upon. We need a fresh approach. Labour, trade, increasing red tape and regulations, data management the list of challenges that our growers face goes on and on. In fact, when you look at the list, it’s a wonder that anyone is willing to farm at all. But when you meet our local growers and growers all across the country, you see the deep commitment to the land and putting food on our tables. At the FVGC meeting I was struck by the fact that the farmers in the room had more in common than they had differences.
The same could be said for the growers in our valley. Apples, cherries, grapes, peaches and tender fruits no matter what our growers produce, they are struggling at the moment. They are all in need of fresh approaches to meet the ever-changing reality of growing fruit. And the only viable way forward will be through collaboration and cooperation: between growers, industry associations, all levels of government and the public. The province’s Tree Fruit Industry Stabilization project provided an opportunity for our local industry associations to work more closely together than ever before and the Cross-Commodity Support Project has provided our valley with some much-needed capacity to support collaborative work on many of these pressing issues.
In spite of the daunting list of challenges ahead, I am optimistic that by working together we can find a way through. I want to live in a region that truly values local food production and supports our farmers and I think the rest of the residents in the valley do too. I look to Dendy and Kyle’s book to remind me that our industry has survived tough times before and I look to my colleagues locally and across the country to work together to come up with solutions. A fresh approach, together.
Melissa Tesche is the general manager of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association.
TNavigating risks with reduced workforce Addressing challenges in vineyard labour dynamics
he arrival of temporary foreign workers has begun. They provide the knowledge, the experience and the essential labour to sustain our agricultural economy in the Okanagan.
The devastating effects of this past winter cold have consequences for returning vineyard workers.
The dilemma for employers? Will there be enough demand for labour to meet worker expectations? Will the work environment change?
The tough decisions for employers will come from assessing the need for and then managing a workforce through a recovery—one more layer of stress and a test of adaptation.
The industry town hall meetings and workshops held in January and February have revealed the resilience, creativity and tenacity of the community of growers and winemakers to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
For workers, there will be fewer opportunities and greater risks. Why risks?
Fewer workers or fewer tasks should reduce risks. Not so.
Risks mount when a reduced workforce attempts to accomplish the usual number of tasks and mount even further when attempting unfamiliar tasks, tasks that the new reality of vineyard health will likely demand.
Examples might include the increased hazard of working alone or in isolation when the workforce is reduced. Risk assessment becomes increasingly important and necessary when work patterns change.
Understanding and implementing management of change reduces
these new and less familiar risks and reduces the potential for compromising safe work practices.
Injury rates can increase when workers attempt lifting or moving heavy equipment without the assistance of a co-worker. Piping, PTO shafts and mobile equipment attachments are the common culprits in causing sprains, strains and other musculoskeletal injury when a reduced workforce performs the same number of duties.
Task management can be an effective tool when adapting to changes in the workplace.
Assess the risks, develop new written and translated safe work practices, evaluate the competency of workers to carry out new tasks. Provide adequate or additional personal protective equipment then conduct daily safety toolbox talks with a worker sign-off.
These are the elements of task-management packaging.
Fewer workers create new risks. Task management can identify the hazards of a changing work environment.
Fatigue will increase when fewer hands are performing regular tasks for longer periods. Heat and cold stresses need constant monitoring. A tired worker will invariably put co-workers and equipment at risk. The potential for injury or lost time is preventable. Identify new hazards. Consider the need for more frequent breaks and reach out for worker input. Collaboration on a worksite solves problems, aids in controlling hazards, reduces risk and often creates new work efficiencies.
The positive effects of forced change in work practices and procedures can become evident. Viewed as task management rather than crisis management can be a progressive way to respond to the challenges ahead.
The industry can identify and will find the positive effects of upheaval. The wine taster will continue to come for entertainment. Entertain them. A winery tour can be enhanced with a vineyard tour when visitor safety protocols are in place. Wine tourists love wearing PPE. Lend everyone a high visibility vest for the walkaround. Be creative, show your resilience, educate your visitors and demonstrate your safe work practices. Be frank with your workers about the limited opportunities and the necessary changes in your workplace.
The season may be short, the harvest will be light. The industry will change and survive.
AgSafe is the agricultural safety association serving orchards and vineyards in B.C. Ron Maciborski works as the regional safety consultant for Boundary Kootenay and South Okanagan. For more information about AgSafe services or agriculturerelated workplace health and safety call 1-877- 533- 1789 or visit AgSafeBC.ca.
Cutting through the negative B.C. wine narrative
Five strategies for ensuring ongoing consumer support and participation
We know the Okanagan wine (and orchard) industry has been in the news lately. Much of the conversation has focussed on farming challenges.
Despite these challenges, wineries want the public to know there are plentiful beautiful wines and amazing experiences waiting for them in wine country.
Cutting through the noise, especially when competing narratives exist on a major topic, can be very challenging. To combat and cut through the noise and competing narratives requires a proactive, creative and multi-channel approach that leverages both traditional and innovative public relations tactics.
In the case of the British Columbia wine industry facing back-to-back years of challenges, including catastrophic cold weather freezes, it’s essential to reframe the narrative to focus on resilience, the current availability of wines and the importance of supporting B.C. wineries.
Here are five tactics to consider:
Leverage human interest stories
Show the people behind the brand. Share personal stories of winery owners, workers and the families who are standing strong in the face of adversity. Stories like these humanize the industry and can generate empathy and support from the public. Show off any success stories. Feature any innovations or adjustments wineries are making to overcome challenges. This can include new grape varieties being planted, sustainability practices or new business models that are emerging.
Use experts and leverage data
Engage industry experts, winemakers and scientists to discuss the resilience of grapevines, the quality and quantity of wines that can be expected and underline the economic impact of supporting local wineries.
Create compelling visuals, such as infographics, highlight the number of wineries open, wines available and remind of the economic benefits of supporting local.
Emphasize community impact
Launch a campaign that emphasizes the role of wineries in the local economy and community. Again, use data and this time highlight how supporting B.C. wineries also supports employment, tourism and related businesses.
Explore partnerships: collaborate with local retailers, restaurants and tourism destination management organizations to promote wines and winery visits.
Engage through multiple channels
Utilize social media platforms to reach a broad audience. Use hashtags, challenges or themes that encourage users to share their experiences with B.C. wines or visits to wineries.
I must give a shout out to the teams at Elephant Island Winery, Deep Roots Winery and JoieFarm Winery for starting a grassroots initiative on social media with the hash tag #OkanagansGotIt where they are encouraging wineries to tag each other to show off what they’ve go to offer and encourage visitation. At the time of writing this article
there were only 17 posts, but the campaign was only a week old.
April is BC Wine Month, and Wines of BC also has social media messaging surrounding all of the reasons to enjoy B.C. wine, with #BCWineMonth and #BCWine.
In addition to social channels, I also suggest you develop a series of blog posts, videos or podcasts that explore different aspects of the wine industry, focusing on resilience, quality and community impact. (Some ‘reasons’ right there!)
Direct Engagement with Media
Pitch unique angles: Directly engage with those journalists and outlets that have covered the negative aspects. Offer them an alternative angle that hasn’t been covered, such as the innovative responses to challenges or the critical role of community support.
Write opinion pieces and thought leadership articles for local and national publications to offer a different perspective and highlight the importance of supporting the wineries now.
By emphasizing human interest, leveraging expert opinions, engaging directly with media and using innovative tactics to reach the audience, the B.C. wine industry can shift the narrative towards resilience, quality and the importance of community support.
Leeann Froese owns Town Hall Brands, a marketing and graphic design agency with 25+ years’ experience in food and hospitality branding. Visit townhallbrands.com and follow @townhallbrands.
TBC Wine Month goes global Strategic partnerships to reach London and New York
his April marks the seventh annual BC Wine Month, a time to celebrate spring wine releases and show support for local growers and producers.
The B.C. wine industry is made up of grapegrowers, winemakers, proprietors and countless others who have chosen this unique and diverse terroir to cultivate as their passion and profession.
“While it’s not for the faint of heart, the results are stunning wines vintage after vintage, along with incredible experiences to be found in every region,” said Miles Prodan, CEO and president, Wine Growers British Columbia. “BC Wine Month is an opportunity to honour the hardworking people behind every bottle.”
The official proclamation of April as BC Wine Month comes from the government of British Columbia in recognition of the industry’s contributions to the economic and cultural makeup of the province. B.C.’s wine industry provides stable, valueadded farming and manufacturing jobs to more than 14,272 people,
with an annual economic impact of $3.75 billion, in addition to playing a pivotal role in attracting tourists to the region, welcoming over 1 million visitors to cellar doors each year.
“Our province’s stunning wine tourism regions rank among the world’s best,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “But what makes our vineyards and
wineries world-class are the people who work in this important industry and whose expertise and dedication create unforgettable experiences for visitors. Their contribution to our province’s agricultural and economic success can’t be overstated.”
This year’s April is BC Wine Month campaign is more important than ever considering the challenges B.C.
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April marks BC Wine Month and will see a number of tourist opportunities to elevate B.C. wines on a world stage.
wineries have been faced with including reduced crop yields due to extreme climate-change related weather events, reduced visitation due to wildfires and travel restrictions, and increased economic pressures on wine consumers and winery business operations.
That’s why this year Wine Growers BC has, for the first time ever, elevated the campaign to the global stage. Through the strategic partnership with sommelier influencers in markets including New York and London, UK, BC Wine Month is set to transcend geographical boundaries, building the reputation of B.C. wine worldwide.
“It’s a privilege to champion the exceptional quality of B.C. wines with my audience,” said Luke Flunder (@luke_ flunders_wine_world) with 118,000 following his wine recommendations on Instagram and TikTok.
Amidst the celebrations and global outreach, the core message remains clear April is the time to rally behind local wineries and show unwavering support for the resilient B.C. wine industry. Here at home, Wine Growers BC will continue to foster the incredible local support for B.C. wine: encouraging visits to wineries to hear the stories of the people behind the labels firsthand, offering perfect pairing recipes to go along with purchases from local wine retailers, and inviting one and all to learn more about B.C. wine through the Wines of BC Ambassador Program Level One, available online through WineBC.com through use of special promo code BCWINEMONTH.
“As we celebrate the seventh year of BC Wine Month, let us raise our glasses to the resilience, innovation and excellence that define the local wine industry. With a strong local base and now global reach, BC Wine Month is poised to showcase the best of what British Columbia has to offer this spring and summer,” said Prodan.
Kelly Josephson is communications manager for Wine Growers BC which represents the interests of B.C. wineries dedicated to producing 100% B.C. grape wine. Follow @WinesofBC or find them on the web at winebc.com.
Meet our Agriculture Services Team
Meet our Agriculture Services Team
Our mission at TD Agriculture Services is to work with you to provide a comfortable banking experience by upholding the highest standards of integrity, honesty, professionalism and privacy.
Our mission at TD Agriculture Services is to work with you to provide a comfortable banking experience by upholding the highest standards of integrity, honesty, professionalism and privacy.
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Martyna Spichtig
VP - Agriculture Services
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British Columbia & Alberta
403-470-0201
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Photo courtesy of Wine Growers British Columbia
WWhy now is the time to join a wine club
e turn the corner and I spy our table, elegantly set with wine glasses four to a setting. I’m just a bit excited as there’s already a glass in my hand as I approach my seat for the guided wine tasting.
The golden wine in my glass is exquisite, offered to me when I walked through the doorway of the winery and greeted by name.
This is a concierge service. This is VIP service. This is wine club service.
Despite the winter day, the view is breathtaking from the tasting salon windows (offering nearly a 180 degree vista). The vineyards stretch as far as one can see, up the hillside, down the valley and up the other side of the valley. We’re tasting in the heart of wine country in Oliver, B.C.
Our host presents a distinctive small food pairing designed to accentuate each varietal wine. For the next 40 minutes, we’re guided through an
engaging conversation about the wines on our panel, learning about the distinct vineyards they hail from.
These premium wines and elevated tasting experience, often overlooked by locals in the Okanagan, shine for their outstanding quality and service, offering a level of excellence that is difficult to rival. Yet, this experience faces the threat of vanishing.
Wine clubs offer a dual benefit: treating members as VIPs while supporting vineyard owners and winery entrepreneurs during challenging times. This $2.1 billion industry requires our support more than ever.
Jesce and Charlie Baessler remain optimistic about B.C. wines and have committed to replant the vineyards at their Similkameen Valley winery.
The harsh winters of December 2022 and January 2024 have inflicted unprecedented damage on Okanagan and Similkameen Valley vineyards, leading to significant crop losses for many. Despite this, the resilience of farmers and the optimism of small business owners, like the team at Corcelettes Estate Winery near Keremeos, shine through. They’re embracing this challenge with a comprehensive replanting program, aiming to innovate, enhance sustainability, and improve wine quality.
At Corcelettes, Charlie and Jesce Baessler have decided to undertake
Mission Hill Estate Winery delights wine club members with an exquisite flight of wines, each thoughtfully paired with a delectable small bite. This curated selection showcases the perfect harmony between the wines and gourmet accompaniments, offering a sophisticated tasting experience.
Corcelettes photo contributed; other by Yvonne Turgeon
an extensive replant program. In their note to wine club members, they share, “We continue to look for lessons in these last two winter events and our need for innovation has never been greater. There is good news though we have an opportunity to replant and rearrange varietals to more complimenting areas and soils across our five unique vineyards, use the latest technology and materials to increase our environmental sustainability, and no
Wine clubs offer a dual benefit: treating members as VIPs while supporting wineries during challenging times.
recent social media post relays, they are “giving the vines some love after what has been a tough winter so far.”
I urge you to do more than share their hashtags of #shoplocal and #smallbusinessupport.
Love B.C. wine? Support your favourite small boutique wineries by signing up for their wine clubs.
Now is a critical period for B.C. wineries as they try to project cash flow for 2025, 2026 and 2027, years
Head winemaker for Devonian Coast Wineries in Nova Scotia, Gina Haverstock is the 2024 Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award recipient.
O&V: Where did your interest in wine making begin?
Gina Haverstock: It started in 2000 when I took a summer job at Jost Vineyards on the North Shore of Nova Scotia. Our family cottage is just across the road from the vineyard. I had plans of becoming a medical doctor until I started at Jost Vineyards.
O&V: Where did you go to school or apprentice?
GH: I earned my sommelier certification and attended Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute in St. Catharine’s, Ontario for a B.Sc. in viticulture and oenology. I worked my first ever vintage in 2001 at Jost Vineyards and, at this point, I was just learning. This vintage work is what sealed my interest in winemaking and is what inspired me to attend Brock. As part of my apprenticeship
Gina Haverstock: Winemaker at Gaspereau, Mercator and Jost Vineyards
for my degree, I worked in Rheingau, Germany, at Georg Breuer where I made my first vintage. I apprenticed in the Wachau, Austria (Emmerich Knoll), Burgundy, France (Simon Bize and Fils) and Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (Church Road). I learned so much from working at different wineries in different regions. It was all great training for coming home to Nova Scotia in 2006 and taking my first job as a winemaker.
O&V: What is your favourite varietal to work with?
GH: My favourite wine that is not a varietal is the Nova Scotia’s appellation wine called Tidal Bay. It is an aromatic, terroir-driven, fresh, crisp white wine blended from a list of approved grape varieties. It must be made from 100 percent Nova Scotian grapes, and the winemakers must follow standards for how the grapes are grown and how the wine is made. It must also pass a tasting panel every year to ensure it is typical
of the Tidal Bay style. Simply said, it is a taste of Nova Scotia in a glass.
O&V: Is there a particular wine or vintage that you have made that you are most proud of?
GH: The vintages that are most challenging are those that are cool and/ or wet; when the grapes are not as ripe or healthy as desired. They say, “The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.” I think this is true of the 2011 vintage in Nova Scotia. We had to play the patience game during harvest and hang our fruit quite long just to achieve a moderate ripeness level. We had to be equally patient in the winery and work hard to make a balanced, terroir-driven wine. In the end, the Rieslings from Gaspereau Vineyards from the 2011 vintage are still among some of my favourite wines we have made. The years that were some of the most challenging vintages are among the ones I am most proud of. ■
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