2021 Wine Report

Wine Report 2021

BC Wine 2021 Overcoming Adversity

By Gary Symons

The BC wine industry is making a habit of winning out over adversity, and in 2021 it appears that despite the impact of the worst pandemic in a century, out of control wildfires, and a deadly heat wave, BC is reporting yet another stellar year for local wine.

That doesn’t mean the year was not a struggle, as wineries had to contend with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and a precipitous drop in tourism during the height of the wildfires in July and August. But despite the tribulations of this strangest of years, wineries throughout the province are reporting another fine vintage, and for many, record sales. Miles Prodan, the CEO of Wine Growers BC, says his group does an annual study of the wine harvest throughout the province. This year, with around 90 per cent of wineries already reporting, Prodan says he is expecting to see a smaller than average harvest, but much higher than average quality.