2013 Spring Issue

Organic from the Ground Up Save the Earth – Drink B.C. Wine Farmers' Markets

Spring 2013 $6.95

Display Until May 31, 2013 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40838008 www.orchardandvine.net

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Yes, you read that right. Alion®, the new Group 29 pre-emergent herbicide is anything but exciting to watch. Why? Because you’ll never actually see it do anything – and that’s the point. Spray it in your orchard for seasonlong control of annual grassy and broadleaf weeds. Not to mention glyphosate, triazine and ALS-resistant weeds, too. It’s literally as exciting as dirt. Until you see the results.

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Photo by Jakub JirsĂĄk | Dreamstime.com

Features 15 Young Farmer Profile Kelsey Rieger 17 Organic From the Ground Up 22

Farmers' Markets Provide Big Pay Off

25

2013 Suppliers Directory

45

Save the Earth – Drink B.C. Wine

47 Apple Powdery Mildew - Part 2

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51

B.C. Wine Law Riddled with Complications

63

Wine Bloggers' Conference

Spring 2013

Photo Contributed

41 Building to Agri-Tourism

The benefits of B.C. Farmers' Markets Page 26.

Regulars 6

Publisher's View – Lisa Olson

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Calendar

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News & Events

53

Editor’s View – Devon Brooks

55

Legal Libations – Denese Espeut-Post

57

Money Talks – Steve Funk

59

The Wild Things – Margaret Holm

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Taylormade Ideas | Jennifer Taylor

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The Word On Wine – BCWI

Kelsey Rieger with her mother, Suzanne Rieger, our Spring young farmer profile. Page 15

Spring 2013

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 PUBLISHER’S VIEW | LISA OLSON

Attitude & Aptitude

Vol. 54, No 2 Spring 2013 Established in 1959

During a recent conversation with a school intake counselor regarding my son’s education into a trade course, the two words she declared powerfully that would insure job success was ‘attitude and aptitude’.

Publisher Lisa Olson Editor Devon Brooks

That got me thinking about our industry as it relates typically to staff workers, but to disregard that it can in addition apply to owners and bosses. A client shared with me, the benefits of having younger workers on staff to keep ideas fresh and up-to-date while older seasoned workers have the seasoned skills and experience.

Last week I attended a workshop on Agri-tourism and heard from 2 successful operators in the Okanagan. Helen Kennedy from Arlo’s Honey Farm discussed the importance of communication and having a procedure manual in writing as not everyone hears and follows verbal instructions. Another tip shared by Andrea McFadden from Okanagan Lavender Farm, was to have a notebook handy for staff suggestions and customer comments, this helps when making improvements and changes. Read more interesting tips on page 17.

Stephanie Symons Contributors BCWI, Michael Botner, Devon Brooks, Denese Espeut-Post, Steve Funk, Margaret Holm

Photo by Kim Elsasser

Regarding your returning foreign workers, not sure how readily available translators are, but being able to discuss ideas, innovative techniques or time saving solutions can help employees feel ownership, and their skills valued and appreciated and can offer you insight into your operation.

Graphic Design

William McPhee, Erin Nichols, Darcy Nybo, Ronda Payne, Jennifer Taylor Sales & Marketing

Inside this issue, we interviewed young farmer Kelsey Rieger, who wanted to stay on the family farm and together with her mother, Suzanne Rieger, are producing organic baby food from the fruit on the farm as a value added product, page 15.

Holly Thompson Circulation info@orchardandvine.net Orchard & Vine Magazine 1576 West Kelowna Road

Earth week brings together bottling supplier, Tricorbraun and 37 wineries that are helping educate the consumer on eco friendly packaging and carbon foot print reduction by purchasing locally. Find out how and which wineries are participating on page 29.

West Kelowna, B.C., V1Z 3H5 E-mail: info@orchardandvine.net www.orchardandvine.net Phone: 250-769-2123 Fax: 1-866-433-3349

Best wishes for a prosperous season!

Orchard & Vine Magazine is published six times a year and distributed by addressed direct mail to growers, suppliers and wineries in the Okanagan, Kootenays, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Washington State and throughout Canada.

Orchard & Vine is also available online.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40838008 Undeliverable copies should be sent to:

Providing Canadian Grapevine Solutions BRITISH COLUMBIA Frank Whitehead p. 250-762-9845 c. 250-878-3656 frank@vinetech.ca

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Spring 2013

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 SPRING | CALENDAR

David Jurome 250-862-1888

49 ACRES S.E. KELOWNA Perfect spot for an Estate Winery. Currently planted to apple & cherry crops but definitely suitable for vineyard. Gentle slope, S.W. exposure. Panoramic Lake & Valley views! 5 bedroom home with approx. 3,500 sqft.

Located next to Harvest golf course close to town. $5,500,000 MLSr 10048438

28 ACRES KELOWNA With gentle slope and S.W exposure.

Panoramic City, Lake & Valley views! Features luxurious home with 5 bedrooms + den, pool, triple garage + detached 40’ x 60’ garage, 60’x60’ barn, second home + 4 farm worker dwellings. Seller will consider smaller property on trade. $3,200,000 MLSr 10057237

19 ACRES S.E. KELOWNA Beautiful flat hay land with full irrigation water rights & 2 homes. Main home has 3,227 sqft with 3 bedrooms + den, 2 fireplaces, 2 car garage. Second home has 2,000 sqft, 3 bedrooms + den + 2 car detached garage with loft. Seller may take smaller Kelowna home on trade $1,750,000 Exclusive

20 ACRES S.E. KELOWNA Perfect land for organic vegetable farming.

Currently planted in Hay. Centrally located close to all city amenities. Has a large barn with workshop & 2 bedroom suite + mobile home & cabin. Excellent Artesian well + water rights on creek. Room to build executive home. $1,395,000 MLSr 10038749

Photo by Lithian | Dreamstime.com

www.davidjurome.com • davidjurome@gmail.com

Spring Okanagan Wine Festivals May 3-12 Various Okanagan Locations, B.C. www.TheWineFestivals.com

Bloom BC VQA Spring Release Tasting Victoria

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June 4 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm The Fairmont Empress – Crystal Ballroom Victoria, B.C. http://www.winebc.org

Bloom BC VQA Spring Release Tasting & ChefmeetsBCGrape Vancouver

…the ideal time is shortly after bloom

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For more information, contact your nearest Production Insurance office or call toll free: Kelowna 1-888-332-3352 Oliver 1-888-812-8811 Online: www.al.gov.bc.ca/production_insurance

June 5 Trade & Media tasting: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ChefmeetsBCGrape 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM Vancouver Convention Centre East Vancouver, B.C. http://www.winebc.org

2013 Wine Bloggers Conference June 6 – 8 Penticton Lakeside Resort Penticton, B.C. http://winebloggersconference.org

14th Annual BC Enology & Viticulture Conference July 15 - 16 Penticton Convention Centre Penticton, B.C. www.bcwgc.org

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Spring 2013

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Spring 2013

9

 SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Wine Bloggers Conference is coming to Penticton!

Up to 400 smart phones, tablets, laptops and various online devices will be in high mode June 6, 7 and 8 in Penticton at the 2013 Wine Conference as citizen bloggers, wine industry media, grape enthusiasts and wine lovers gather to learn about the art of wine blogging.

Participants can take workshops and training sessions on photography, creating compelling content, Google Plus Workshop, Search Engine Optimization, Wine Judge Training & Seminar and much more.

Also planned, a Wine Blog Awards and Banquet Dinner, and World of Wines Evening Party. Lots of learning and fun wine enjoyment!

If arriving from out of town, there are also some fabulous wine and overnight excursions planned enroute into Penticton from Seattle and the Kelowna Airport. Visitors of the conference and to the Penticton area will visit some wineries and sample BC wine, potentially blogging about their experiences along the way.

For more information and to register online go to; http://winebloggersconference.org

Propane Cannon Law Shot Down

Colour isn’t only Skin Deep

Clashes over the use of propane cannons are surfacing in several Lower Mainland municipalities.

In Langley a final report has moved away from a proposal for an outright ban and the BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) sent a letter saying it would not approve of an outright ban.

The provincial ministry stipulates that bans cannot become law unless they are approved by the BCFIRB.

Photo by BNPS.co.uk

In January, Abbotsford put out a draft bylaw that proposed restrictions on devices like propane cannons used by blueberry growers to reduce bird predation on their fruit. Different members of the public wanted the audible noise devices banned outright, while others only wanted the frequency and allowed decibels restricted.

The Redlove apple is red-fleshed right through to the core and is already being marketed in the United Kingdom.

Last year the French fruit company IFO formed a consortium known as IFORED, to propagate and commercially test several varieties of red-fleshed apples over the next few years.

Members of the consortium include farmers from Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

IFORED’s chairperson, Bruno Essner, says, “We are convinced that IFORED will put on the market some unique red flesh apples that will successfully appeal to consumers from all over the world.”

Propane cannons like this one will not be banned in the Lower Mainland, but increased restrictions on their use are on the way.

10 Spring 2013

The Redlove apple, developed by a Swiss grower, is already being marketed in the United Kingdom.

Commercial plantings to test the new red varieties are expected to occur over the next two years in North America.

 SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

The Charmat Method 8.33 ACRES IN SOUTHEAST KELOWNA STELLAR LAKE AND VALLEY VIEWS from this modern cherry orchard property. Possible access for driveway to your new dream home from Grieve Road. Ideal Southeast Kelowna location. Land in ALR. MLS® WAS $1,150,000 NOW $949,000

7 ACRES, CHERRY ORCHARD, HOME

Photo by Jean-Luc Parrhesia

7 ACRES with mature cherry orchard & large one-owner home & garages. Mainly level land with a slight slope, NEW LISTING ideal as a small profitable orchard. Idyllic & quiet private site in one of Kelowna’s best locations. MLS® $998,000

JERRY GEEN 250-870-3888

2 HOMES, ORCHARD, FRUIT STAND 10 ACRES IN LAKE COUNTRY. Excellent visibility with frontage on 2 main roads. Seasonal, profitable fruit stand. 3 bedroom main home with suite + a mobile, ideal for orchard help or guests.

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Your local expert in farm, residential, and estate properties

To check out these featured properties and more farms Log on to

Lanny Martiniuk of Stoneboat Vineyards explains to MP Dan Albas what the winery will be able to do with the new equipment purchased with help from the federal government.

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www.OkanaganFarms.com “We Sell Farms!”

KELOWNA 250-717-5000

Through the Agricultural Innovation Program the federal government is putting $125,000 into Stoneboat Vineyards to assist with buying equipment for making a new kind of sparkling wine.

The new sparkling wine will be made using the ‘Charmat’ method, which involves a second fermentation providing carbonation of smaller, longer-lasting bubbles. The money will be invested in the stainless steel autoclaves, which are like large pressure cookers.

Lanny Martiniuk, proprietor of Stoneboat Vineyards in Oliver, says, “The technical aspects of production are intensive, and the capital required is very significant for a winery of our size.”

He adds, “We wanted to create a fresh, approachable, fruit-forward sparkling wine, similar to Italian Proseccos. The style is a perfect match for the grapes we grow in the Okanagan.”

Stoneboat hopes the new wine will help it into a domestic market currently dominated by imported wines. Says Martiniuk, “We believe that we can create a product that is every bit as delicious as import wines made with the same technology.”

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Spring 2013 11

 SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Photo by Jean-Luc Parrhesia

Young Farmer Mixer at Summerhill

Participants at the Young Agrarians Young Farmer Mixer at the closeout gathering.

At the end of January the Young Agrarians had their first Young Farmer Mixer at Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna.

The Young Agrarians is an organization that wants to build a network of young farmers working in any and all kinds of agriculture, who are dedicated to making farming more sustainable for the environment and for farmers. This meeting was aimed at British Columbians interested in the food industry in all aspects from orchards and family farms to rooftop urban farmers in Vancouver.

In British Columbia more than half of all farmers are 59 or older while only 5% are under the age of 34. The Summerhill Mixer was designed to help some young agriculturalists develop their goals and ideas.

Two projects looked at intensively were Quality Farms in Kelowna and the Preservation Farm, which is a UBC Okanagan student initiative that educates the public and works on environmentally sustainable farm methods.

David Scherle is the owner of Quality Farms, which is a poultry farm. He says the Mixer had three sessions where other agrarians could ask about his operation and provide him with feedback on how he could move forward with questions and problems he had.

The Ultimate Caesar at Sammy J's in West Kelowna! Not only do you get the traditional celery stick and salted rim, inside you’ll find a pepperoni stick, pickled bean, havarti cheese, tiger prawn, olive and on top – a minicheeseburger slider. More at www.sammyjs.ca

12 Spring 2013

Food was donated by a host of companies interested in sustainable farming and included the likes of Anita’s Organic Mill, Claremont Ranch Organics, Covert Farms, Crannog Ales, Green City Acres, Jerseyland Organics, Okanagan Grocery, Salt Spring Coffee and Urban Harvest Organic Delivery.

More information on future activities by the Young Agrarians is available at www.youngagrarians.org.

 SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

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Are pesticides, especially those with a neonicotinoid base, responsible for killing bees around the globe?

More and more Europeans are pointing fingers at these pesticides, which is disputed by the manufacturers. The European Union is discussing a ban on these products, after several countries have imposed bans or restrictions on their use.

The group NGO Pan Europe called on the European commissioner for health and consumer policy to take the products out of the EU marketplace.

The European Crop Protection Association says if that is done, it won’t save any bees, but it will cost European agriculture some 17 billion Euros over five years from lost crops.

But France and Italy already banned the products and have not experienced the widespread losses predicted by the pesticide manufacturers, or at least not yet.

There are also claims, not scientifically substantiated, that bee losses have declined since the bans in Italy were put in place.

Some of the controversy arises because the pesticides may not actually kill the bees, but may be responsible for reducing their susceptibility to pathogens or they may somehow confuse the bees’ sense of direction.

Amidst statements by some on the European Parliament’s environmental committee that the products should be immediately withdrawn, others have admitted that the review of the scientific literature has not been completed.

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Spring 2013 13

 SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Photo by Darcy Nybo

Meet Your Maker

Kim Stansfield of Summerland's Vinegar Works at this year’s Meet Your Maker event.

The second annual ‘Meet Your Maker’ event in West Kelowna in March was organized by FarmFolk CityFolk. This annual networking event pairs small-scale growers and producers with regional food businesses and buyers. Events are held in Vancouver, on Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan each year.

This year’s Okanagan event featured key note speakers Sara and Troy Harker, recently named the 2013 BC Outstanding Young Farmers of the year. FarmFolk CityFolk’s Barbara Joughin spoke on how to build strong and long lasting relationships between buyers and growers.

Then came round one of “speed dating” where growers set up their wares to talk with buyers and media about their products and what they wanted in a buyer.

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Lunch was prepared by first year students at Okanagan College's Culinary Arts Program with foodstuffs provided by area producers.

After lunch, buyers wooed food producers by showcasing their stores, businesses, and restaurants. The day was rounded out by a workshop put on by social media guru, Allison Markin, who covered the basics of leveraging social media for the food industry.

For information on next year’s Meet your Maker go to farmfolkcityfolk.ca and click on events.

Betting the Farm on Baby

By Darcy Nybo Way back in the twentieth century, farms were passed down from generation to generation. Today, it’s an uphill battle just keeping the farm alive, let alone keeping it viable for future generations.

Kelsey Rieger grew up on her family farm, Orchard Corners, in Kelowna. It’s a small farm; 15 acres planted mostly in apples and the rest in peaches, pears, plums and blueberries. The senior Riegers, wanting to retire, put the farm up for sale. Of their three children, only Kelsey was interested in taking over.

The family looked at other options. “We all sat down and talked about it and we thought about doing a cidery. The initial investment was big and we’d have to produce a lot of cider at the beginning to get a license…so we threw that idea out,” recalls Kelsey.

In 2012, her mother, Suzanne Rieger, read an article about a woman from Calgary making her own baby food, selling it at farmers’ markets and making $30,000 a month. “She was so excited to tell me,” says Kelsey, “and it was something we could do together. The cost would be minimal as we grow our own fruits and we could grow more vegetables as we had a lot of land. We already have a booth at the farmers’ market so we wouldn’t have to rent new space – we’d just add baby food to the apples and Emu oil products mom makes.”

Kelsey did some research and found no one else in the Okanagan Valley was making organic baby food. “I thought, ‘Why is no one doing it?’ This is a niche we could really get into and hopefully grow rapidly. Everyone thought it was a great idea.”

Once they started down the road as organic baby food producers, Kelsey discovered why people weren’t doing it. “It’s a high-risk food and there are lots and lots of rules and regulations that have to be met for baby food,” she explains. “The biggest challenge for me was the labeling. There are so many regulations and we wanted to be able to sell outside of Kelowna. There were nutrition tables, and ingredient lists, and having a com

Kelsey Rieger with her mother, Suzanne Rieger, who gave her the idea for making baby food with their orchard fruit rather than giving up on the farm.

I grew up here, on this farm, in Kelowna … It was my grandfather’s farm and it would be nice to keep it in the family.

Kelsey Rieger mon name, and being in French, and having things in certain areas on the label. We had to have our mailing address on there, our website and an expiry date.

We went back and forth sending The Canadian Food Inspection agency our drafts and they’d send them back and tell us what else we needed. It took a few months to just get the label ready.”

The production end hasn’t been quite as trying. “We are starting with fruit [and] as it is already acidic it doesn’t spoil as quickly and it is safer. There is less risk of botulism,” says Kelsey. “We rented a certified kitchen at the Rutland Centen

nial hall. So far we’ve made 7,200 jars of apple and about half that in pear. We are doing peaches next.”

Kelsey, a registered holistic nutritionist, wants the baby food as healthy as possible, which means just one ingredient: “Organic, non-GMO fruit. That is the only ingredient.” She’s adamant about this. “The Food Inspection Agency wants us to add citric acid or something else if we make canned vegetables. Until we can figure out a way to not put additives in, we won’t do vegetables.”

When Kelsey isn’t creating baby food, she works at an acupuncture clinic. “I have to Spring 2013 15

work 9 to 5, and whenever my mom and I get a spare moment, we get together.

We do a lot of work on the weekends, but we have to rent the kitchen during the week so I have to take time off work.

Then we are in there from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.”

There’s a lot riding on Kelsey’s baby food line. “I grew up here, on this farm, in Kelowna,” she says. “And so did my dad. It was my grandfather’s farm and it would be nice to keep it in the family.

Doing the value added products is one way, for us, to keep the farm in the family.”

As for being a farmer, Kelsey loves the reaction she gets when she tells people

about her ‘other job.’ “Most people are surprised when they find out I’m a farmer. I don’t look like a farmer. They think it is cool, because I grew up on the farm and I have some pretty strong opinions on organic and non-GMO.” Kelsey also has advice for other young farmers. “When it comes to farming – you really need to do your research. You have to see what the market is looking for in an orchard. If you can become organic, I think it is a way better way to go.

It’s what people want and it’s the way of the future.”

You can find Kelsey at the Kelowna outdoor Farmers’ Market from April to October where the Riegers are betting

the farm on the value-added products.

“My parents have taken the farm off the market for now,” she says. “I am hoping this baby food does well so I can buy the farm from them. There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

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By Ronda Payne To most consumers, organic means the absence of chemicals in, or on, the food they buy. The more astute may even refer to integrated pest management or the avoidance of GMOs. This public attention on the “green and growing” aspect of organic ignores the equally important role of “brown and fertile.”

At the 2013 Pacific Agriculture Show, three experts discussed the careful balance of soil management. The soil itself,

fertility inputs and alternate compost sources are part of creating the best base possible for organic growing.

“There’s nothing new under the sun (in soil management),” says DeLisa Lewis, from the Faculty of Land and Food Systems with the University of BC. “But there are some core practices we all need to continually discuss. Soil and land stewardship – they’ve been with us a very long time.”

While the modern versions of these

Photo by Ronda Payne: Jocelyn Durston and Chris Kasza Organic Farmers from Maple Ridge.

O R G A N I C FROM THE GROUND UP practices are much more scientific than their ancestors, what soil needs is still the same. Lewis references the Cornell Soil Health Manual, 2009, which outlines physical, biological and chemical soil concerns along with options for resolution. “[The Cornell manual] is essentially a trouble shooting guide.”

At its core, soil management consists of five activities: soil tillage – reduce the amount of soil movement and ensure better timing, crop rotation – improve

Spring 2013 17

timing, cover crops – an age-old practice, but more trial is needed, adding organic amendments, adding approved mineral amendments.

Crop rotation and cover crops are a focus for Lewis who studied cereal grain crop rotation and under-seeding cover-crop trials in Delta and Ladner potato fields from 2008 to 2011.

One approach, she says, was to “alleviate the phosphorous inputs and provide a saleable [rotation] crop. We found red clover to be the best of the three cultivars we tried [for cover crops].”

Stephen Eng says soil management is a moving target and can't treated identically year after year.

AT ITS CORE, SOIL MANAGEMENT CONSISTS OF FIVE ACTIVITIES: 1. Soil tillage – reduce the amount of soil movement and ensure better timing 2. Crop rotation – improve timing 3. Cover crops – an age-old practice, but more trial is needed 4. Adding organic amendments 5. Adding approved mineral amendments DeLisa Lewis with the faculty of Land and Food at UBC says 18 Spring 2013

Stephen Eng of Agrium Advanced Technologies triggers laughter with his opening: “How many of you have your nutrient management under control?”

A soil pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 is where the majority of nutrients are available to plants. To correct levels, Eng suggests lime to raise, or sulphur to lower, the pH.

His joke brings home the point that soil nutrient management is a moving target. His goal is to “help you make the rights choices at the right time.”

While pH impacts the availability of nutrients soil type influences the ability to hold nutrients. A clay based soil will hold nutrients more efficiently than a sandy based soil. Understanding what to add comes down to Eng’s commonsense formula: Plant needs minus (what is available) equals (what you add)

Eng notes there are 17 essential primary, secondary and micronutrients. “Three come from the air and water,” he explains. “Those other 14 have to come from the soil somehow – either within the soil or by adding it.”

As to what’s allowed, Eng explains each organic certification body decides. “I can

only say…whether or not the product has been registered with Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).”

Generally acceptable primary nutrient sources include animal and poultry manures, blood and bone meals, compost, fish emulsions and hydrolyzed fish among others. Dolomite lime, oyster shell meal and gypsum were sources for calcium, but magnesium sources were few: dolomite lime, langbeinite (SPM) and Epsom salts. The sources of sulphur were the same as magnesium except for the addition of elemental sulphur.

14 ESSENTIAL PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND MICRONUTRIENTS Primary Nutrients

Secondary Nutrients

Micronutrients

Nitrogen (N)

Calcium (Ca)

Boron (B)

Phosphorus (P)

Magnesium (Mg)

Chloride (Cl)

Potassium (K)

Sulfur (S)

Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe)

Manganese (Mn)

Molybdenum (Mo)

Nickel (Ni)

Zinc (Zn)

Photos Contributed

the basics of soil management haven't changed, only the science measuring how well we are doing it.

Spring 2013 19

ENG’S COMMONSENSE FORMULA

PLANT NEEDS

–

NUTRIENTS IN SOIL

=

• KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR SOIL

WHAT YOU NEED TO ADD

• KNOW THE SOURCES OF THE MATERIAL • YOUR SOIL NEEDS CONSTANT MONITORING • KNOW THE SHORT TERM & LONG TERM NEEDS

SOURCES OF MATERIALS NATURAL FERTILIZERS

PRIMARY NUTRIENT SOURCES

MANURES

ANIMAL AND POULTRY MANURES

COMPOST

BLOOD MEAL

SOYBEAN MEAL

BONE MEALS

CORN GLUTEN MEAL

COMPOST

BLOOD MEAL

FISH EMULSIONS

LIQUID FISH PLANT FOOD

HYDROLYZED FISH

LIQUID FISH FERTILIZERS

MICRONUTRIENTS SOURCES

BLENDED SOURCE OPTIONS.

KELP

READY-FOR-USE COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS:

CALCIUM

SUSTANE

OYSTER SHELL MEAL

GUARANTEED ORGANICS 1-0-1

GYPSUM

KELPGROW

MAGNESIUM

OMRI Registered Accepted By Most Organic Certification Standards.

DOLOMITE LIME

DOLOMITE LIME

LANGBEINITE (SPM) EPSOM SALTS.

SULPHUR DOLOMITE LIME LANGBEINITE (SPM) EPSOM SALTS. ELEMENTAL SULPHUR.

20 Spring 2013

Photo by Stephen Rudolph | Dreamstime.com

Stephen Eng recommends growers make their own compost due to the ability to control the process.

“For micronutrients (see chart previous page) for organic growers, kelp is the best source,” he adds.

Photo by Jeeragone Inrut | Dreamstime.com

For natural fertilizers permitted in organic production Eng notes: manures, compost, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, blood meal, liquid fish plant food, liquid fish fertilizers and some blended source options. Ready-for-use, commercial fertilizers Sustane, Guaranteed Organics 1-0-1 and Kelpgrow are OMRI registered and are accepted by most organic certification standards.

“Cold, wet soils release P and K very slowly, even when soil tests indicate adequate amounts,” Eng says, touching on the topic of phosphates. The ideal soil temperature for optimum phosphate release is above 22º C (72° F) and he recommends soil temperature checks in the spring.

Before concluding, Eng touches on compost. “Compost provides uniform humus that can be used to amend soils and provide fertility.”

He recommended growers make their own compost due to the ability to control the process and says it is “buyer beware” when it comes to purchasing compost.

“Few suppliers of manure based fertilizers actually manufacture compost,” he notes. “Fewer still provide any proof of temperature monitoring or continuous safety testing.”

Tom Forge of the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre agrees on-farm compost is the best resource, but explains many organic farms can benefit from “off-farm” compost as well, which is permitted in the Organic Production Systems – General Principles and Management Standards.

The primary concern about off-farm compost is contaminants that could threaten certification. A secondary concern is that compost could affect crops.

“There are a lot of concerns with fecal bacteria,” Forge says. “Has the composting process been significant enough to eliminate fecal bacteria?”

With the growing volume of residential yard and food waste composts, growers have a new option. The Metro Vancouver region alone produces 628,000 tonnes of organic waste each year and herbicide use is no longer an issue due to aggressive non-herbicide positions by most municipalities.

“Use of municipal yard waste and/or food waste compost is ‘safe’ for organic producers – or at least is the lowest risk option for off-farm amendments,” Forge says, adding that greenbin composts comply with National Organic Standards.

Forge adds, “You need to match the compost with the use to achieve optimal benefits. When you get the nutrient info [for offsite compost] make sure it’s on the batch you are getting.”

Understanding soil inputs and management is one that goes unnoticed by most consumers. Growers, however, will reap the rewards of healthy plants by staying on top of information and resources available. ■ Spring 2013 21

Farmers’ Markets Provide Big Payoffs

A new guide shows local governments how to make sur

By Erin Nichols

F

armers markets are community hubs where people meet, local food is celebrated, and where innovative food businesses are born. There are now more than 125 farmers markets in B.C. with 3,000 vendors, of which 1,000 are farmers.

The local economic benefits for municipalities are substantial.

According to an economic benefits study led by Dr. Dave Connell of University of Northern BC and funded by Investment Agriculture Foundation of Canada, and Vancity, shoppers in 2012 spent $114 million at farmers markets and an additional $59 million at neighbouring businesses. Sales generated at B.C.’s farmers’ markets increased an incredible 147% from 2006 to 2012. Farmers markets provide the primary source of revenue for over half of farmer vendors in the province.

Markets offer a place for innovative startups to test new food products. Holy Crap launched their artisanal cereal company at the Sechelt farmers’ market and now sells to over 600 retailers across North America and internationally.

“Developers are starting farmers’ markets like the River District farmers’ markets started by Parklane Homes in south Vancouver,” says Elizabeth Quinn, executive director of the British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM). “Developers know what’s good for business.”

The social and environmental benefits of farmers markets for municipalities are equally significant. In Naramata the closest major grocery store is 15 km away, but the farmers’ market provides a convenient weekly source of fresh food. In B.C. 77% of the produce at markets is sustainably grown and because they are local, transportation distances are far, far shorter than the average 5,364 km that imported food travels to reach grocery stores.

Farmers’ markets provide a wide range of benefits and opportunities, but not all municipalities have policies in place to support their success.

Planning for Successful Farmers Markets In Towns and Cities: A Best Practices Guide for Municipalities is a new BCAFM publication that elaborates on the need for collaboration between local government staff and market organizers to create supportive policies.

A comprehensive coordinated plan for farmers’ markets involves the bylaws, zoning, parks, land use and permits departments. This smooths the process, not only for the market organizers, but also for staff in those departments. The City of Langford has embedded support for farmers’ markets in their Official Community Plan (OCP), and has found that the Langford market has been a positive addition to the downtown centre and surrounding businesses.

With encouragement from the Vancouver Farmers Markets a two-year interim policy was put in place in 2010 by Vancouver to eliminate restrictions and streamline the approval process for new and returning farmers’ markets. In February of this year

22 Spring 2013

Photos contributed

re a farmers’ market can do well

Spring 2013 23

Farmers’ markets are … good for farmers, but they are also good for our communities.

Mark Dalton, MLA Coquitlam Burke-Mountain Vancouver City Council approved the Vancouver Food Strategy, which supports the doubling of farmers markets to 22 by 2020.

The guide includes a Farmers’ Market Score Card to measure how market-ready a municipality is. To support farmers markets a number of specific areas have been identified.

It is essential for municipalities to differentiate farmers’ markets from other types of markets.

“Simply acknowledging farmers’ markets in a downtown revitalization strategy or sustainability strategy can strengthen municipal support for farmers’ markets” says Quinn.

Securing an appropriate long-term location provides necessary 24 Spring 2013

stability so vendors can rely on consumers knowing where the venue is year after year. It doesn’t have to be fancy: parking lots, temporary street closures, vacant lots, can all become market locations, if zoning allows.

Vancouver recently adjusted its zoning bylaws so all zones, with one exception, are available for market sites.

Infrastructure for a successful farmers’ market includes power, onsite storage, water, seating and washrooms. Power is needed for frozen meats and refrigerated eggs. Washrooms add to the comfort of patrons and vendors alike. Kamloops has provided storage for barricades, tables, and other market materials at one of their pump stations close to the market site.

Municipalities play an essential role in securing all the benefits a farmers’ market can provide for a community. Working collaboratively with market organizers will help ensure the success of their farmers’ markets. ■ Obtain a copy of Planning for Successful Farmers Markets In Towns and Cities: A Best Practices Guide for Municipalities by e-mailing the BCAFM at info@bcfarmersmarket.org or calling 604-734-9797.

Erin Nichols works for the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets and can be reached at: erinBCAFM@gmail.com.

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NEED NEW EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES OR SERVICES?

2 Accounting 2 Agencies, Design & Websites 3 Animal, Bird Netting & Pest Control 3 Associations 3 Bird Netting 3 Concrete Resurfacing 3 Cooperage, Tanks & Containers 4 Corks, Capsules & Closures 5 Crop Protection 5 Event Equipment 6 Farm Equipment 6 Farm Management 7 Fencing 7 Fertilizer 7 Financial 8 Food Processing 8 Frost Protection & Wind Machines 8 Greenhouses & Covered Buildings 8 Insurance 9 Irrigation 9 Labels & Labeling Equipment 9 Management Consultants 9 Nursery Supplies & Rootstock 10 Oak Alternatives

10 Orchard Supplies 10 Packaging Containers & Boxes 11 Pesticides 11 Post Harvest 11 Pruning Equipment 11 Real Estate 12 Refrigeration 12 Safety & Supplies 12 Seeds 12 Software 13 Soil 13 Spreaders 13 Storage & Shipping 13 Tractors, Sprayers & Machinery 14 Trailers 14 Vineyard Equipment 14 Vineyard Installation 15 Water Wells 15 Wind Machines 15 Wine Accessories & Giftware 15 Wine Tours 15 Winery Equipment 16 Winery Supplies

Accounting

#103 - 347 Leon Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y 8C7 Phone: 250 763-9335 Fax: 778 478-0188 cartierp@cartierco.com www.cartierco.com Got an agribusiness problem?

Contact me!

Cartier & Company CGA has provided accounting and business advisory solutions for orchards, vineyards, wineries and food processors in British Columbia since 1998. Phyllis Cartier CGA is an Eligible Consultant listed with the BC Farm Business Advisory Services Program.

Suite 600 1628 Dickson Ave. Kelowna, BC V1Y 9X1 Phone: 250-763-8919 Toll Free: 1-877-766-9735 Fax: 250-763-1121 geoff.mcintyre@mnp.ca www.mnp.ca MNP is a full service Chartered Accountancy and Business Advisory firm with offices from Toronto to BC. MNP’s Winery & Vineyard service team is based in Kelowna, offering clients specialized support to manage their business.

Follow us on: twitter.com/orchard_vine

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Accounting

Reid Hurst Nagy Inc. – Certified General Accountants Okanagan Office 1873 Spall Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 4R2 Phone: 250-860-1177 Lower Mainland Office #105 - 13900 Maycrest Way Richmond, BC V6V 3E2 Phone: 604-273-9338 Toll free: 1-888-746-3188 Fax number: 604-273-9390 info@rhncga.com www.rhncga.com RHN understands the unique challenges faced by growers and producers of vine and orchard products and services. Business owners deserve to have experienced and knowledgeable accountants and business advisors who provide extraordinary service and go beyond standard expectations. At RHN, we are REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL SOLUTIONS who business owners trust and rely upon.

Why Hire a Professional?

1. They have the expertise and know-how to get the job done.

2. Many jobs and repair tasks require specific tools 3. It’s a time-saver! Hire a pro and get it done right and quickly the first time!

Agencies

10-10 Commercial St. Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G2 Phone: 250-591-6965 info@hiredgunscreative.com www.hiredgunscreative.com Extraordinary wine deserves extraordinary design. Focused on branding wineries, we provide design services as unique and unforgettable as the wine you craft. Let Hired Guns Creative bring your wine to life with high-caliber naming, branding, labels, websites, and marketing.

Taylormade Ideas 402 Orchard Ave Penticton, BC V2A 1Y2 Phone: 250-276-4333 info@taylormadeideas.ca www.taylormadeideas.ca At Taylormade Ideas, we believe you should concentrate on what you do best: focus on your product or service. Taylormade Ideas will do what we do best: create exceptional branding, marketing and public relations to help you build brand equity and generate revenue. We have been successfully launching, growing and re-launching small businesses for over 20 years both locally and globally. Call us for a FREE half hour candid chat and how we can help your business grow.

Animal Bird Netting & Pest Control

Associations

FIOSA-MIOSA Safety Alliance of BC Redden Net & Rope Ltd. #27-12491 #2 Rd. Richmond, BC V7E 2G3 Phone: 604-274-1422 Toll Free: 866-233-1422 Cell: 604-506-5043 mark@redden-net.com Largest Supplier of Vineyard Netting in B.C.

Associations

202-7084 Vedder Rd Chilliwack, BC V2R 1E3 Phone: 604-858-9979 Fax: 604-858-9906 safety@fmiosa.com www.fmiosa.com Based in Chilliwack, BC, The FIOSA - MIOSA Safety Alliance of BC (FIOSA-MIOSA) is a notfor-profit industry organization that seeks to address challenges and opportunities specific to food & beverage processing and manufacturing and to set industry standards for health and safety.

Bird Netting

Neal Carter And Associates Ltd.

British Columbia Grapegrowers’ Association 451 Atwood Road Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H9 Toll free: 877-762-4652 Fax: 250-442-4076 bcga@nethop.net www.grapegrowers.bc.ca The British Columbia Grapegrowers’ Association is a non-profit organization that represents all commercial grape producers in British Columbia on agricultural issues and concerns. We work with other industry organizations, with provincial and federal agricultural organizations and all levels of government to represent, promote and advance the interests of all grape growers in British Columbia.

12033 Loomer Road Summerland, BC V0H 1Z8 Phone: 250-494-1099 Fax: 250-494-0338 neal_carter@telus.net www.farmsolutions.net NCAL is a supplier of high quality agricultural fabric, including drapeover bird netting, side-netting, rain fabrics, wind-break fabrics and shade cloth. The company also supplies fruit and vegetable processing equipment and crop production and management software.

Concrete Resurfacing

Marvelous Ideas Contracting Ltd. Unit #6 – 2543 Juliann Road West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2M3 BC Interior: (250) 258-8728 Lower Mainland: (604) 830-3412 Toll Free: 1-866-227-5165 Fax number: (250) 769-4615 don@marvelousideas.com www.marvelousideas.com An innovative specialty trades applicator (since 1991) engaged primarily in concrete preparation, restoration, resurfacing and protective finishes. We use only hybrid, proven-performance products (urethanes, epoxies, mortars, lithium sealers and joint sealants), equipment and technology that can enhance traction and corrosion/thermal resistance and/or are anti-microbial, CFIA approved.

Cooperage Tanks & Containers

A.O. Wilson LTD 9597 17th Sideroad Erin, ON N0B 1T0 Head office contact info: Phone: 1-855-857-1511 Fax: 1-519-833-2502 headoffice@aowilson.ca Western Canada contact info: Hubert Oliver Phone: (250) 764-2645 hsoliver@shaw.ca www.aowilson.ca

Like us at: facebook.com/OrchardandVineMagazine

Premium supplier to the fruit and wine industry of: Eaton filtration media, Amorim corks, Smurfit bag in box, Tudertechnica hose, aluminum screw caps, PVC, polylam and tin capsules,fittings and more.

3

Cooperage Tanks & Containers

Cooperage Tanks & Containers

Corks Capsules & Closures

CELLAR-TEK BARR Plastics Inc. Unit A-31192 South Fraser Way Abbotsford, BC V2T 5S7 Phone: (604) 852-8522 Toll free: 1-800-665-4499 Fax: (604) 852-8022 info@barrplastics.com www.barrplastics.com Established in 1968 as a family-run business, BARR Plastics Inc. has since developed as a master distributor of the top brands of plastic tanks and containers in North America. Check our website or call today for all your liquid and materials handling needs.

1043 Richter St. Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K4 Phone: 250-868-3186 Toll Free: 1-877-460-9463 Fax: 250-868-0186 info@cellartek.com www.cellartek.com Technical Sales & Service to the Wine & Brewing Industries of Canada. Products Lines: DIEMME presses, Destemmer/Crushers & Must Pumps; LIVERANI & KIESEL Pumps; ALBRIGI Tanks; AEB & LAFFORT Fermentation Supplies; INNERSTAVE, FRANCOIS FRERES, SAURY & LEROI Oak Barrels & Barrel Alternatives; G & D Refrigeration, SPADONI, FILTROX & 3M-CUNO Filtration Equipment & Media; ALFATEK, KTM, BARIDA Sparkling, TROXLER Packaging & Labeling Equipment; STELVIN Screwcaps, Polylam & Tin Capsules; Lab Equipment/ Supplies & Consulting. Technical Equipment & Refrigeration Service. REMCO Cellar Tools, SEITAL Centrifuges.

We are represented in British Columbia by Hubert Oliver of AO Wilson Company.

2870 Cordelia Rd Suite150 Fairfield, CA 94534 Phone: 707-426-3566 Contact: Phillip Durrett Cell: 707 290-2040 www.acicorkusa.com • Natural Corks • • Naturtop Cork (1+1) • • Micro-Granular Corks • • Bartop/WoodTop Corks • • Fizz (Champagne Corks) • ACI CORK USA supplies wineries from Canada all the way down to Mexico.

Canton Cooperage 5803 Skylane Blvd., Suite C Windsor, CA 95492 USA Phone: +1 707-836-9742 Fax: +1 707-836-9759 Brian: bgeagan@cantonwood.com Brian cell: 707-484-2628 sales@cantonwood.com www.cantoncooperage.com Premium American Oak Barrels.

Tight grain, Cooper selected wood.

Open-air seasoned/certified for a minimum of: 24 months: “Vintage” 36 months: “Vintage Premium” 36 months: “Grand Cru 3 Year” 48 months: “Grand Cru Limited Edition” Available in 225L, 228L, 265L, 300L, or 500L. HACCP Food Safety Certification.

TWIN MAPLE INDUSTRIAL TANKS Twin Maple Industrial Tanks 32351 Huntingdon Rd. Abbotsford, BC V2T 5Y8 Phone: ( 604) 854-6776 Toll Free: (800) 663-8898 Fax (604) 854-3223 garry@twinmaple.com www.tmitanks.com We supply tanks for farm and industrial liquid, wine and brewery production, community water systems, cottage water collection, city and municipal applications, storage of road de-icer solution, inground septic systems and for the transportation of liquids.

Call us today! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will assist you with your project needs.

4

CELLAR-TEK 1043 Richter St. Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K4 Phone: 250-868-3186 Toll Free: 1-877-460-9463 Fax: 250-868-0186 info@cellartek.com www.cellartek.com Technical Sales & Service to the Wine & Brewing Industries of Canada. Products Lines: DIEMME presses, Destemmer/Crushers & Must Pumps; LIVERANI & KIESEL Pumps; ALBRIGI Tanks; AEB & LAFFORT Fermentation Supplies; INNERSTAVE, FRANCOIS FRERES, SAURY & LEROI Oak Barrels & Barrel Alternatives; G & D Refrigeration, SPADONI, FILTROX & 3M-CUNO Filtration Equipment & Media; ALFATEK, KTM, BARIDA Sparkling, TROXLER Packaging & Labeling Equipment; STELVIN Screwcaps, Polylam & Tin Capsules; Lab Equipment/ Supplies & Consulting. Technical Equipment & Refrigeration Service. REMCO Cellar Tools, SEITAL Centrifuges.

Corks Capsules & Closures

Crop Protection

Crop Protection

Dow AgroSciences EZ Cap Box 10388 Station Main Airdrie, AB T4A 0H6 Phone: 403-282-5972 Fax number: 403-220-1336 roxanne@eacpa.net www.ezcap.net EZ Cap is proud to introduce the beautiful 750 ml flip-top wine bottle with a dual finish. These bottles are perfect for fine wines and non-carbonated products.

They have the re-sealable EZ Cap capping mechanism. A unique way of serving and storing your fine wines.

Solutions Center at 1.800.667.3852 Introducing Closer™ SC Insecticide for super-fast control Fast-acting with extended residual control, Closer SC insecticide provides unmatched control of aphids and San Jose scale in pome fruit and stone fruit crops.

Closer SC insecticide is the first in a new class of insecticides called sulfoximines, offering growers an effective option against sap-feeding insect populations resistant to other insecticide classes, including neonicotinoids, organophosphates and pyrethroids.

It’s a great addition to IPM programs. Take back control and close the deal fast with Closer SC.

UAP Canada Inc. 789 Donnybrook Dr Dorchester, ON N0L 1G5 Phone: 604-534-8815 (BC) Fax: 604-534-6118 (BC) customerservice@uap.ca www.uap.ca UAP is the largest distributor of agricultural and non-crop inputs in Canada. UAP offers a comprehensive line of proven crop protection products, including plant nutrients, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, seed treatments and specialty products.

Event Equipment

Tricorbraun Winepak Contact: Heidi Cook Unit # 500 1650 Brigantine Drive Coquitlam, BC V3K 7B5 Phone: 604-649-5623 Toll free: 877-495-7924 Fax number: 604-529-7977 hcook@tricorbraunwinepak.com www.tricorbraunwinepak.com TricorBraun WinePak provides eco-friendly bottles, domestic and imported wine bottles and Bag in Box options. Our new, larger facility with brand new automatic repack equipment enables us to pack “just in time,” enhancing your ability to get into the marketplace with quality products.

View this Directory Online Link to these businesses at www.orchardandvine.net

DuPont Canada Agricultural Products P.O. Box 2300, Streetsville Mississauga, ON L5M 2J4 1-800-667-3925 Fax: 905-816-3064 ag.hotline@dupont.com cropprotection.dupont.ca At DuPont, we collaborate with our customers to anticipate their needs, provide answers that contribute to their long-term prosperity and help create a sustainable global food supply.

Impact Canopies Canada 203-1515 Broadway Street Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6M2 Phone: 604-464-1371 Toll free: 877-776-6655 Fax: 604-464-1372 info@impactcanopy.com www.impactcanopy.com Impact Canopies is a trendsetter in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of instant canopies and instant canopy accessories.

Impact Canopies brings a fresh and innovative approach to the portable branding solution industry. The Impact Branding Solutions include instant canopies, dome tents, promotional flags, table covers, signs, banners and more.

5

Farm Equipment

Bowtie Tech Corp 15210 - 97 Street Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V2 Phone: 250-495-6459 bowtie@vip.net • Tractor & Ag equipment parts and repairs • Pruners and pruner parts • Sprayer hose, nozzles, valves • Tire sales and repairs – all types • TWO mobile service trucks • Wet tire repairs ‘On The Farm’ available

Farm Equipment

Matsqui Ag Repair Ltd. 34856 Harris Rd. Abbotsford, BC V3G 1R7 Phone: 604-826-3281 Fax: 604-826-0705 pam.matsquiagrepair@shaw.ca www.matsquiagrepair.com Authorized Sales, Service and Parts for Deutz-Fahr, McCormick, Khun and McHale equipment. Servicing the Okanagan and Fraser Valley’s agricultural industry since 1989.

New and used equipment sales.

• Propane cannons, bird control systems and devices

Farm Equipment

South Okanagan Equipment 5679 Sawmill Rd Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 Phone: 250-498-5145 Fax: 250-498-5135 sokequip@hotmail.com Sales and service of new and quality used farm equipment, parts and accessories. Dealer for Yanmar Crawler Tractors, Nairn Grape Harvesters, Edwards Equipment, Rankin Equipment, Turbo-Mist, Northstar Attachments, Rabaud post pounders, S&A compost spreaders.

Ask for a demo today!

Mon - Fri 7am to 5pm Sat 7am - Noon

Farm Management

Gerard’s Equipment 5592 Hwy 97 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 Phone: 250-498-2524 Fax: 250-498-3288 www.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.

6

Outback Guidance 326 Saulteux Cres Winnipeg, MB R3J 3T2 Phone: 403.896.2470 Toll free: 1.866.888.4472 Fax: 204.888.0991 outbacksales@outbackguidance.com www.outbackguidance.com Since the beginning, in 2000, Outback Guidance has been dedicated to delivering advanced precision farming systems that are easy to use and affordable.

With dedicated customer service and innovative products, we have grown to become one of the world’s leading aftermarket suppliers of GPS systems for agriculture. We understand the needs of today’s 21st century farmer and are well-positioned to meet your needs.

Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) Inc. CAFA is the nationally recognized organization for professional farm advisors. CAFA advisors maintain high standards while continually increasing farm advisory skills and knowledge intended to provide measurable value to their farm clients. www.cafanet.com info@cafanet.com Box 578 Blaine Lake, SK S0J 0J0 Phone: 1-306-466-2294 Toll free: 1-877-474-2871 Fax number: 1-306-466-2297

Fencing

Chute Creek Contracting Phone: 250-496-5883 Fax: 250-496-5882 www.wildlifefencing.ca sohman@vip.net Chute Creek Contracting is a Wildlife fencing specialist in business for 30 years. We install Wildlife fencing, Wildlife style security fencing, livestock fencing and dog runs. We have worked for the departments of Highways, Parks and Forestry, cities, industrial sites, mines, utilities, vineyards, orchards, estates and hobby farms.

Serving BC and the Okanagan.

Fencing

Meadow Valley Construction Box 1807 Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 Phone: 250-494-7462 Cell: 250-490-6660 Fax: 250-494-7469 kpenny@xplornet.com Meadow Valley Construction specializes in vineyard, wildlife and range fence installations. We are equipped to post pound, auger plant holes, install harpoon and screw anchors and install game fences.We instrument survey and layout for post location. We are pleased to serve the Okanagan Valley.

Financial

RBC Royal Bank – Brian Nowoselski 302 Main Street Penticton, BC V2A 5C3 Phone: 250-490-4404 Fax: 250-492-8861 brian.nowoselski@rbc.com www.rbcroyalbank.com/agriculture RBC has 2 agricultural financing specialists in the Okanagan.

Brian Nowoselski in the South Okanagan/Similkameen at 250-490-4404 Kathy Brewster in the North Okanagan 250-558-4336 kathy.brewster@rbc.com

Fertilizer

Fraser Valley Steel & Wire Ltd. 3174 Mt. Lehman Road Abbotsford, BC V4X 2M9 Phone: 604-856-3391 Toll Free: 1-877-856-3391 Fax: 604-856-0603 Proud supplier of quality steel and wire products to the orchard and vineyard industry for over 30 years.

Find an expert in this Supplier Directory! “ An expert is someone widely recognized as a reliable source of technique and skill.”

The businesses listed here are interested in agriculture and doing business with agriculture.

Superior Peat Inc 1700 Carmi Avenue Penticton, BC V2A 8V5 Phone: 250-493-5410 Fax: 250-493-4475 info@superiorpeat.com www.superiorpeat.com OMRI Listed supplier of Organic soil amendments used when planting Orchards, Vineyards and Berry Farms. We also carry a large selection of bark mulches for ground cover. Visit us online at www.superiorpeat.com for more information.

TD Canada Trust – Agriculture Services 1633 Ellis Street, Unit 100 Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8 Phone: 250-763-4241 Ext 222 Cell Phone: 250-503-4501 Fax number: 250-868-2307 Jeremy.Siddall@td.com www.tdcanadatrust.com/agriculture/ We have dedicated Agriculture Specialists with years of experience in agriculture, who understand the unique needs of Canadian farmers.

Take advantage of their years of experience whether you are planting, financing or buying farm equipment

7

Food Processing

Greenhouses & Covered Buildings

Insurance

Paul Boers Ltd.

Capri Insurance

3500 South Service Road Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Phone: 905-562-4441 Fax: 905-562-5533

100-1500 Hardy Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 8H2 Phone: 250-860-2426 Toll free: 800-670-1877 Fax number: 250-860-1213 Email: rfiume@capri.ca Website: www.capri.ca

New-Line Hose & Fittings 9415 - 189th Street Surrey, BC V4N 5L8 Phone: 604-455-5400 Toll Free: 800-661-HOSE Fax number: 604-455-5401 sales@new-line.com www.new-line.com New-Line stocks food grade hose, fittings, and components that are used in wineries, breweries, food processing plants and beverage dispensing systems. We carry a range of specialty sanitary fittings, stainless steel valves and other components for transfer, cleanup and washdown applications in processing facilities, restaurants or kitchens!

Frost Protection

38900 No. 4 Road Abbotsford, BC V3G 2G2 Ph 604-850-9428 Fx 604-852-4090 info@paulboers.com www.paulboers.com Constant innovation and technology has enabled Paul Boers Ltd. to remain on the leading edge of the development of complete greenhouse environments. Choose from the venlo, gutter connect, freestanding, widespan and coldframe greenhouses, benches, irrigation, environmental controls, heating and curtain systems. Call us today.

Since 1975 Capri Insurance has provided innovative insurance products to the business community from convenient locations: Kelowna (4), Lake Country, West Kelowna, Vernon (2), Kamloops (2), Penticton and through subsidiaries in Burnaby and Ontario. Robert Fiume, as a viticulturist and insurance broker specializes in BC wineries and the agricultural industry.

Insurance

HUB International Barton Insurance Brokers

Spectrum Technologies, Inc. 3600 Thayer Ct. Aurora, IL 60504 USA 60504 Phone: 815-436-4440 Toll Free: 800-248-8873 Fax: 815-436-4460 info@specmeters.com www.specmeters.com Affordable weather stations, soil moisture sensors and probes, pH & EC meters, light meters, frost alarms, IPM tools, plant disease software and degree-day counters.

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Brown Benefits 202-3295 Lakeshore Rd. Kelowna, BC V1W 3S9 Phone: 250-763-4284 Toll Free: 1-877-818-0904 Fax: 250-861-8063 info@brownbenefits.ca www.brownbenefits.ca At Brown Benefits we help our clients implement insurance programs to attract and maintain staff. Through the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, we can offer Canada’s leading plan for small business.

Contact: Brad Stark Phone: 250-765-4143 brad.stark@hubinternational.com www.hubinternational.com Over 65 locations throughout Western Canada HUB International is one of the largest insurance brokerages specializing in crafting sound insurance and risk management products and programs for the wine industry. The experts at HUB can handle the insurance needs for wineries and vineyards and understand the unique and everchanging needs of businesses in this industry.

Irrigation

Nelson Irrigation Corporation 848 Airport Road Walla Walla, WA 99362 USA Phone: +1 509.525.7660 Toll free: +1 800.456.3141 Fax: +1 509.525.7907 info@nelsonirrigation.com www.nelsonirrigation.com 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 stateof-the-art of irrigation by saving water, saving energy and doing a better job of irrigating.

Irrigation

Waterfind Inc. Box 305 Longview, AB T0L 1H0 Phone: 403-615-4687 Toll free: 877-388-7388 Fax number: 403-398-1456 info@findwellwater.com www.findwellwater.ca WATERFIND uses environmentally friendly, non-invasive Seismoelectric Technology at near-surface to determine each sites potential for groundwater in order provide the best target to develop a water well. Get a survey before starting to drill to avoid expensive dry holes and to maximize your yield and return on investment in groundwater development.

Labels & Labeling Equipment

Management Consultants

#103 - 347 Leon Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y 8C7 Phone: 250 763-9335 Fax: 778 478-0188 cartierp@cartierco.com www.cartierco.com Got an agribusiness problem?

Contact me!

Cartier & Company CGA has provided accounting and business advisory solutions for orchards, vineyards, wineries and food processors in British Columbia since 1998. Phyllis Cartier CGA is an Eligible Consultant listed with the BC Farm Business Advisory Services Program.

Nursery Supplies

Nulton Irrigation (B.C.) Ltd 34496 Sawmill Road Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 Phone: 250-485-0246 Fax: 250-485-0247 german@nultonirr.com www.nultonirr.com Serving the Okanagan for over 40 years. Our staff of BCIA certified irrigation designers is continuously searching for the most efficient method of irrigating your crop. No charge for consultation or design.

To make sure your business is listed next year email info@orchardandvine.net

“French Tradition, American Made!�

International Bar Coding Systems & Consulting Inc. 1940 Barnes Street Penticton, BC V2A 4C3 Phone: 250-493-3201 Toll Free: 1-800-661-5570 Fax: 250-493-3257 sales@ibcworld.net www.ibcworld.net

Guillaume Grapevine Nursery 21208 State Route 113 Knights Landing, CA 95645 Phone: 530.735.6821 Fax number: 530.735.6822 eckhard@guillaumenurseries.com www.guillaumenurseries.com Providing top quality vines since 1895!

Specializing in wine bottle labels, case labels, fruit & vegetable labels, point of sale hardware, printers and scanners, data collection, bar coding and RFID. IBC creates user friendly data collection software to help you keep track of your work in process, inventory and shipments.

IBC is your track and traceability partner.

9

Nursery Supplies

Oak Alternatives

Packaging Containers & Boxes

Great Little Box Company

Inland Desert Nursery 32508 W. Kelly Rd Benton City, WA USA 99320 Phone: 509-588-6615 Fax: 509-588-4529 sales@idnursery.com www.idnursery.com Family owned and operated, Inland Desert Nursery supplies the cleanest and healthiest grapevines available to growers across North America. We also provide an extraordinarily high level of knowledgeable service to customers. Our success depends on helping growers develop the sustainable, high-quality vineyards upon which their success depends.

XTRAOAK / XTRACHÊNE 5803 Skylane Blvd., Suite C Windsor, CA 95492 USA Phone: +1 707-836-9742 Fax: +1 707-836-9759 Brian: brian@xtraoak.com (West) Carlos: cluis@chene.com (East) sales@xtraoak.com French or American oak alternatives for neutral barrels and tanks. Cooperage grade oak quality, long open-air seasoning.

Plain, Light, Medium, or Medium Plus Toastings. HACCP certified. Ask about our “Toasts Blends”; French Naturelle, Clair, Roti or American Spectrum or Bold. Exclusive new STICK 22.90.

Kelowna Branch Office 679 Willow Park Road Kelowna, BC V1X 5H9 Phone: 250-765-6988 Toll Free: 1-877-861-3444 Fax: 250-765-6954 kelowna@greatlittlebox.com www.greatlittlebox.com With over 25 years in packaging, Great Little Box Company is your local one-stop source for corrugated boxes, folding cartons, labels and displays. With Great Little Box Company, you will receive award winning customer service, quality products and on time delivery every time.

Products also available online: www.xtraoak.com

Orchard Supplies

6969 Shirley Avenue Burnaby, BC V5J 4R4 Phone: 604-433-5624 Toll free: 1-888-77T-BIRD (1-888-778-2473) Fax number: 604-433-6231 info@thunderbirdplastics.com www.thunderbirdplastics.com

Vintage Nurseries 27920 McCombs Ave. Wasco, CA 93280 Phone: 661-758-4777 Toll free: 1-800-499-9019 Fax number: 661-758-4999 dustin@vintagenurseries.com www.vintagenurseries.com Vintage Nurseries is one of North America’s largest producers of dormant field-grown benchgrafts.

They also produce greenhousegrown benchgrafts, rootstock rootings, own-rooted vines, and cuttings, and currently offer a wide selection of popular varieties, new table grape releases, and other table and raisin grape varieties.

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Thunderbird Plastics Ltd.

Gerard’s Equipment 5592 Hwy 97 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 Phone: 250-498-2524 Fax: 250-498-3288 www.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.

TPL is committed to supplying quality, affordable and reusable materials handling solutions. Since 1970, we have been continually striving to expand our product lines, improving our pricing and delivery times and enhancing our customer service with quality plastic container products.

Like us at: facebook.com/OrchardandVineMagazine

Packaging Containers & Boxes

Post Harvest

Tricorbraun Winepak

Fraser Valley Refrigeration

Contact: Heidi Cook Unit # 500 1650 Brigantine Drive Coquitlam, BC V3K 7B5 Phone: 604-649-5623 Toll free: 877-495-7924 Fax number: 604-529-7977 hcook@tricorbraunwinepak.com www.tricorbraunwinepak.com TricorBraun WinePak provides eco-friendly bottles, domestic and imported wine bottles and Bag in Box options. Our new, larger facility with brand new automatic repack equipment enables us to pack “just in time,” enhancing your ability to get into the marketplace with quality products.

Pesticides

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc. 230-2075 Enterprise Way Kelowna, BC V1Y 8R6 Phone: 250.861.3955 Toll Free: 1.888.861.3955 Fax: 250.861.3165 Storage@Secure-Rite.com www.Secure-Rite.com Secure-Rite Mobile Storage provides a range of secure, weatherproof mobile storage units. Our storage, office, accommodation, pesticide or refrigerated containers and accessories are available for purchase, lease or rental at competitive prices, with exceptional service! Our customized Pesticide Storage Units are equipped with extra ventilation, shelving, spill containment options and more!

26121 Fraser Hwy. Aldergrove, BC V4W 2T8 Phone: 604-856-8644 Toll Free: 1-800-661-5772 Fax: 604-856-7768 info@fvrl.com www.fvrl.com Design, installation and service on refrigeration, insulated cooler and freezer boxes, ventilation and HVAC.

Pruning Equipment

Okanagan Viticulture Services Inc. PO Box 25026 Mission Park PO Kelowna, BC V1W 3S9 Phone: 250-762-9845 Fax: 250-762-9846 Cell: 250-878-3656 www.infaco.com fwhitehead@shaw.ca No Noise! No Hoses! No Pollution!

Powerful pruning at its best.

Electrocoup offers ultimate safety and precision with power and speed.

Electronic Pruning Equipment

Real Estate

Larry “BILKO” Bilkszto Sales Representative, Re/Max Garden City Realty Inc., Brokerage.

Lake & Carlton Plaza 145 Carlton Street St. Catharines ON L2R 7J8 Phone: 905-641-1110 Toll Free: 1-866-575-9400 Fax: 905-684-1321 www.bilko.ca bilko@rgcmail.com Specializing in agricultural lands, vineyards, wineries, orchards, greenhouses and rural estates throughout the Niagara Region since 1989! Born and raised on a farm himself, BILKO’s knowledge and experience have made him the Top Dog in farmland sales throughout the area! Call today and get him working for you!

Jerry Geen Re/Max Kelowna 100 – 1553 Harvey Ave Kelowna, BC V1Y 6G1 Phone: 250-870-3888 Toll Free: 800-663-5770 Fax: 250-860-0016 Jerry@TeamGeen.com www.OkanaganFarms.com Selling property requires knowledge of land use, values, current market conditions, financing and that intangible ability of a good REALTOR® to “connect” with people.

With Jerry’s professional demeanour, sharp analytical skills, industry contacts and extensive experience with farms & acreages, he is the REALTOR® you need working on your behalf! Call Jerry today!

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Refrigeration

Refrigeration

Seeds

Fraser Valley Refrigeration 26121 Fraser Hwy. Aldergrove, BC V4W 2T8 Phone: 604-856-8644 Toll Free: 1-800-661-5772 Fax: 604-856-7768 info@fvrl.com www.fvrl.com Design, installation and service on refrigeration, insulated cooler and freezer boxes, ventilation and HVAC.

Quality Seeds West Viking Refrigeration Ltd. 109-2955 Acland Road Kelowna, BC V1X 7X2 Phone: 778-753-5790 Fax: 778-753-5795 tj-viking@shaw.ca www.vikingrefrigeration.com Portable glycol heaters and chillers, Glycol heating and chilling systems, Hydro coolers, Automated wine tank controls, Blast coolers and freezers, Process chilling. Quality design and installations tailored to suit your specific needs.

KOOLJET Refrigeration Inc. 261 Tillson Ave. Tillsonburg, ON N4G 5X2 Phone: 519-842-2268 Toll Free:1-866-748-7786 Fax: 519-842-8020 info@kooljet.com www.kooljet.com KOOLJET, a Canadian company, designs and builds specialized refrigeration systems for cooling fruits, vegetables, and wine storage rooms.The specialized one-piece designs do not require refrigeration technicians to do the installation. KOOLJET Refrigeration systems are charged with refrigerant and fully tested before shipment. Products include HydroCoolers, Wine Tank Chillers, and Room Coolers.

Follow us on: twitter.com/orchard_vine 12

Safety & Supplies

PO Box 61572 Brookswood RPO Langley, BC V3A 8C8 Toll Free:1-888-770-7333 Phone: 604-574-7333 Fax: 604-574-7331 bill@qualityseedswest.ca www.qualityseedswest.ca OrchardStar - permanent grass cover, non-invasive, low maintenance, drought hardy and low growing. Perfect for orchard, vineyard & berry rows. Professional turfgrass and lawn seed mixtures reclamation seed mixtures. Cover crops, pasture mixes, wildflowers and slow-release professional fertilizers.

Software

FIOSA-MIOSA Safety Alliance of BC 202-7084 Vedder Rd Chilliwack, BC V2R 1E3 Phone: 604-858-9979 Fax: 604-858-9906 safety@fmiosa.com www.fmiosa.com Based in Chilliwack, BC, The FIOSA - MIOSA Safety Alliance of BC (FIOSA-MIOSA) is a notfor-profit industry organization that seeks to address challenges and opportunities specific to food & beverage processing and manufacturing and to set industry standards for health and safety.

IVIS SOFTWARE Innovative Vinology Information System 13900 Knaus Road Lake Oswego, OR 97034-2140 Phone: 1(503)922-3300 meme@IVISsoftware.com www.IVISsoftware.com Premium software to track all grape growing and wine making activities. IVIS is a flexible, affordable, state-of-the-art system, with outstanding customer service.

See website for testimonials.

Soil

Storage & Shipping

Tractors, Sprayers & Machinery

Kubota Canada Ltd. Superior Peat Inc 1700 Carmi Avenue Penticton, BC V2A 8V5 Phone: 250-493-5410 Fax: 250-493-4475 info@superiorpeat.com www.superiorpeat.com OMRI Listed supplier of Organic soil amendments used when planting Orchards, Vineyards and Berry Farms. We also carry a large selection of bark mulches for ground cover. Visit us online at www.superiorpeat.com for more information.

Spreaders

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc. 230-2075 Enterprise Way Kelowna, BC V1Y 8R6 Phone: 250.861.3955 Toll Free: 1.888.861.3955 Fax: 250.861.3165 Storage@Secure-Rite.com www.Secure-Rite.com Secure-Rite Mobile Storage provides a range of secure, weatherproof mobile storage units. Our storage, office, accommodation, pesticide or refrigerated containers and accessories are available for purchase, lease or rental at competitive prices, with exceptional service! Our customized Pesticide Storage Units are equipped with extra ventilation, shelving, spill containment options and more!

Tractors, Sprayers & Machinery

5900 14th Ave, Markham, ON L3S 4K4 Phone: 905-294-7477 www.kubota.ca Kubota Canada has proudly served the orchard and vine growers since 1975 and has grown to 150 authorized dealers. Specializing in narrow tractors in both open station and factory cab models from 23 to 85 Hp. Visit Kubota.ca to find a location near you and join the family.

Matsqui Ag Repair Ltd. 34856 Harris Rd. Abbotsford, BC V3G 1R7 Phone: 604-826-3281 Fax: 604-826-0705 pam.matsquiagrepair@shaw.ca www.matsquiagrepair.com Authorized Sales, Service and Parts for Deutz-Fahr, McCormick, Khun and McHale equipment. Servicing the Okanagan and Fraser Valley’s agricultural industry since 1989.

New and used equipment sales.

Whatcom Manufacturing Inc. 405 Birch Bay Lynden Rd. Lynden, WA USA 98264 Phone: 360-354-3094 Fax: 360-354-5434 whatcommfg@nas.com www.whatcommfg.com Custom Built Row Mulch Spreaders for Vineyards and Orchards.

Extra narrow models, QuickChange discharges, available in multiple sizes with numerous options and features built to accommodate all applications for use with mulch, sawdust, shavings, manure, solids, etc.

Island Tractor & Supply Ltd. 2928 Sprott Road Duncan BC V9L 6B5 Phone: 250-746-1755 Toll Free: 888-795-1755 Fax: 250-746-5518 gord@islandtractors.com www.islandtractors.com Island Tractor & North Island Tractor are your full service agricultural, commercial and light industrial equipment dealers on Vancouver Island, British Columbia Authorized in Sales, Service and Parts for Kubota, New Holland, Cub Cadet, Wallenstein, Land Pride, Fella, AerWay, JayLor, Farm King, Maschio and HLA equipment.

Noble Tractor And Equipment Ltd. 4193 Noble Road Armstrong, BC V0E 1B4 Phone: 250-546-3141 Toll Free: 1-800-661-3141 Fax: 250-546-3165 nobletractor@telus.net www.nobletractor.com Your dealer for Turbomist Sprayers, Landini Orchard & Vineyard Tractors, and Case IH Tractors & Farm Equipment. We can help with equipment solutions, parts, & service for your business.

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Tractors, Sprayers & Machinery

Tractors, Sprayers & Machinery

Vineyard Equipment

PrairieCoast Equipment Superior Quality. Trusted Tradition www.prairiecoastequipment.com

Gerard’s Equipment

Kamloops • Kelowna Abbotsford • Duncan • Langley TOLL FREE 1-877-553-3373 Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Your Local John Deere Dealer For Sales, Service and Parts. Selling Specialty sprayers and Tractors, and mowers for Orchard, Berry, and Vineyard growers.

Timberstar Tractor 2-7861 HWY 97 North, Vernon, BC V1B 3R9 info@timberstar.ca Phone: 250.545.5441 Fax number: 250.545.1103 info@timberstar.ca www.timberstar.ca We are a full service certified “ 5 Paw” KIOTI tractor dealer.

Slimline Manufacturing Ltd. 559 Okanagan Avenue East Penticton, BC V2A 3K4 Phone: 250-493-6145 Toll Free: 1-800-495-6145 Fax: 250-492-7756 www.turbomist.com Manufacturer of Turbo-Mist air blast sprayers.

Turbo-Mist are market leaders of technology in airblast sprayers using proven air delivery systems designed for professional agricultural use in orchards and vineyards. Please visit our new website for all products and descriptions.

What do I look for when choosing good bottle of wine?

1. A solid recommendation from a good source 2. A label that attracts the eye and fits with the occasion 3. A price that suits my budget 4. A taste that says, aaaaahhh!

Make it your practice to buy local wine and freshly grown food!

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Trailers

5592 Hwy 97 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 Phone: 250-498-2524 Fax: 250-498-3288 www.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.

Vineyard Installations

Cummings Trailer Sales & Rentals 29571 Fraser Hwy Abbotsford, BC V4X 1H2 Phone: 604-856-1988 Toll Free: 877-856-1988 Fax: 604-856-4535 cummingstrailers@gmail.com www.cummings.ca Offering a great variety of utility, dump, flatdeck, cargo, horse and stock trailers.

Meadow Valley Construction Box 1807 Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 Phone: 250-494-7462 Cell: 250-490-6660 Fax: 250-494-7469 kpenny@xplornet.com Meadow Valley Construction specializes in vineyard, wildlife and range fence installations. We are equipped to post pound, auger plant holes, install harpoon and screw anchors and install game fences.We instrument survey and layout for post location. We are pleased to serve the Okanagan Valley.

Water Wells

Waterfind Inc. Box 305 Longview, AB T0L 1H0 Phone: 403-615-4687 Toll free: 877-388-7388 Fax number: 403-398-1456 info@findwellwater.com www.findwellwater.ca WATERFIND uses environmentally friendly, non-invasive Seismoelectric Technology at near-surface to determine each sites potential for groundwater in order provide the best target to develop a water well. Get a survey before starting to drill to avoid expensive dry holes and to maximize your yield and return on investment in groundwater development.

Wind Machines

Wine Tours

WEB Metal Fabricators Ltd. Factory Authorized Dealer 3650 Hwy 97 South Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V1 Phone: 250-495-7245 wmetfab@telus.net www.orchard-rite.com Consulting, Sales & Installation.

Sales Rep - Robert Webster. Auth.

Dealer for Orchard-Rite®.

Industry leader in quality, safety and reliability for nearly 40 yrs.

Featuring AutoStart® and 24/7 emergency service available.

Proven, cost effective frost protection custom tailored to your operation.

Club Wine Tours & Okanagan Dinner & Wine Tours Kelowna, BC 1-250-762-9951 1-866-FUN WINE info@clubwinetours.com info@okanagandinnerwinetours.com Okanagans Best keep Secret! Day & evening wine tours. A truly wonderful experience visiting wineries and sampling award winning wines! Enjoy fresh gourmet cuisine. Dine overlooking the vines and savour the flavours.

Ask about Corporate Tours and personalized Gift Certificates.

Wind Machines

Bowtie Tech Corp 15210 - 97 Street Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V2 Phone: 250-495-6459 bowtie@vip.net • Tractor & Ag equipment parts and repairs • Pruners and pruner parts • Sprayer hose, nozzles, valves • Tire sales and repairs – all types • TWO mobile service trucks • Wet tire repairs ‘On The Farm’ available • Propane cannons, bird control systems and devices

Wine Accessories

Valentinos International Wholesaling Inc. 5B - 1873 Spall Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 4R2 Phone: 250-707-1547 Toll free: 1-888-707-1547 inquire@valentinosintl.com www. valentinosintl.com “Specializing in quality Wine Accessories and Giftware” Wholesale distributor of corporate gifts, promotional products, corkscrews, wine openers, barware, decanters and wine accessories.

Custom imprinting is available on most products.

Winery Equipment

6908 Palm Avenue Burnaby, BC V5J 4M3 Phone: 604-473-9463 Toll Free: 1-866-55GRAPE Fax: 604-433-2810 info@bosagrape.com www.bosagrape.com Ingredients, supplies, labware and equipment for the amateur and professional winemaker and beer brewer. Visit our store or have us ship your order. New products everyday – some not yet reflected in the online catalog. Distilleries, vinegar, mead, cider, & fruit processors need us too!!”

Mon - Fri 7am to 5pm Sat 7am - Noon

15

Winery Equipment

CELLAR-TEK 1043 Richter St. Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K4 Phone: 250-868-3186 Toll Free: 1-877-460-9463 Fax: 250-868-0186 info@cellartek.com www.cellartek.com Technical Sales & Service to the Wine & Brewing Industries of Canada. Products Lines: DIEMME presses, Destemmer/Crushers & Must Pumps; LIVERANI & KIESEL Pumps; ALBRIGI Tanks; AEB & LAFFORT Fermentation Supplies; INNERSTAVE, FRANCOIS FRERES, SAURY & LEROI Oak Barrels & Barrel Alternatives; G & D Refrigeration, SPADONI, FILTROX & 3M-CUNO Filtration Equipment & Media; ALFATEK, KTM, BARIDA Sparkling, TROXLER Packaging & Labeling Equipment; STELVIN Screwcaps, Polylam & Tin Capsules; Lab Equipment/ Supplies & Consulting. Technical Equipment & Refrigeration Service. REMCO Cellar Tools, SEITAL Centrifuges.

Winery Supplies

A.O. Wilson LTD 9597 17th Sideroad Erin, ON N0B 1T0 Head office contact info: Phone: 1-855-857-1511 Fax: 1-519-833-2502 headoffice@aowilson.ca Western Canada contact info: Hubert Oliver Phone: (250) 764-2645 hsoliver@shaw.ca www.aowilson.ca Premium supplier to the fruit and wine industry of: Eaton filtration media, Amorim corks, Smurfit bag in box, Tudertechnica hose, aluminum screw caps, PVC, polylam and tin capsules,fittings and more.

16

Winery Supplies

Winery Supplies

IDL Process Solutions Inc. 6908 Palm Avenue Burnaby, BC V5J 4M3 Phone: 604-473-9463 Toll Free: 1-866-55GRAPE Fax: 604-433-2810 info@bosagrape.com www.bosagrape.com Ingredients, supplies, labware and equipment for the amateur and professional winemaker and beer brewer. Visit our store or have us ship your order. New products everyday – some not yet reflected in the online catalog. Distilleries, vinegar, mead, cider, & fruit processors need us too!!”

IDL Process Solutions Inc. 1164 Lee Street White Rock, BC V4B 4P4 Phone: (604) 538-2713 Fax: (604) 538-4517 Warehouse: 604-214-6437 info@idlconsulting.com www.idlconsulting.com/ IDL Consulting was founded in 1989 over 28 years of experience in wine making and fruit processing in Europe and America.

IDL Consulting provides customers with innovative processing and treatment solutions to achieve quality products and to manage resulting waste streams. They also provide solutions for liquid-solids and liquid-liquid separation.

CELLAR-TEK 1043 Richter St. Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K4 Phone: 250-868-3186 Toll Free: 1-877-460-9463 Fax: 250-868-0186 info@cellartek.com www.cellartek.com Technical Sales & Service to the Wine & Brewing Industries of Canada. Products Lines: DIEMME presses, Destemmer/Crushers & Must Pumps; LIVERANI & KIESEL Pumps; ALBRIGI Tanks; AEB & LAFFORT Fermentation Supplies; INNERSTAVE, FRANCOIS FRERES, SAURY & LEROI Oak Barrels & Barrel Alternatives; G & D Refrigeration, SPADONI, FILTROX & 3M-CUNO Filtration Equipment & Media; ALFATEK, KTM, BARIDA Sparkling, TROXLER Packaging & Labeling Equipment; STELVIN Screwcaps, Polylam & Tin Capsules; Lab Equipment/ Supplies & Consulting. Technical Equipment & Refrigeration Service. REMCO Cellar Tools, SEITAL Centrifuges.

New-Line Hose & Fittings 9415 - 189th Street Surrey, BC V4N 5L8 Phone: 604-455-5400 Toll Free: 800-661-HOSE Fax number: 604-455-5401 sales@new-line.com www.new-line.com New-Line stocks food grade hose, fittings, and components that are used in wineries, breweries, food processing plants and beverage dispensing systems. We carry a range of specialty sanitary fittings, stainless steel valves and other components for transfer, cleanup and washdown applications in processing facilities, restaurants or kitchens!

BUILDING FROM AGRICULTURE TO AGRI-TOURISM

By Devon Brooks In the Central Okanagan Regional District the Economic Development Commission (EDC) began a pilot project last year, linking struggling farm revenues to the burgeoning tourist industry.

There were already a handful of successful agri-tourism businesses out there and the EDC thought they could bring in seasoned veterans to help other farmers starting on a similar path. The result was the 2012/13 Agri-Tourism Pilot Project.

Spring 2013 41

Two of those attending were Ron and Colleen McMillan. The 110-acre McMillan farm has been a hay operation since the 1970s, but in 2004 the McMillans introduced a small pumpkin patch.

Today, says Ron McMillan, hay income only amounts to $10,000 a year. While direct pumpkin sales are also small, for every dollar generated by pumpkins, the farm generates $5 in tourism revenue.

The McMillan’s farm offerings expanded from the pumpkin patch to include hay rides, a gourd slingshot, corn maze and sleigh rides and brings in 10,000 visitors annually. Now Ron says they want information on how to make their operations work more efficiently without having to learn the hard way what others already know.

The two veterans come from the Okana-

gan Lavender Farm, run by the McFadden family, and Arlo’s Honey Farm, owned by the Kennedys.

Andrea McFadden and Helen Kennedy participated in the talks, encouraging and providing advice to four up-andcoming agri-tourism entrepreneurs including the McMillans.

Kennedy says success comes from planning. “Three words of advice: ‘Prepare, prepare, prepare.’ Your business plan is key.”

McFadden says they learned as they went, often stumbling, but she was determined to learn from the mistakes along the way. She says, “We keep a handbook of all the mistakes we’ve made.”

It is more than the mistakes they made – they have a book by the till for customers to make compliments or critiques.

She says that staff are also invaluable for providing insights into what is going well and what isn’t since they overhear customers and deal with all mundane aspects of the business on a daily basis.

Staffing is still one of the biggest challenges Kennedy faces at the Arlo Honey Farm operation. Like most agri-tourism businesses, both of these operations only operate during the summer peak season.

This adds additional challenges to recruiting and retaining good staff.

Once staff is in place Kennedy relates another essential piece of advice. One that pertains not only to staff, but to visitors as well. “Just because you said it, doesn’t mean the other person has heard it.” She suggests putting it in writing, whether it is a sign for tourists or a manual for staff to follow.

Policy manuals seem like a wasteful bureaucratic procedure, but Kennedy says she has learned from bad employees and good employees who misunderstood instructions at one time or another. She says, “If it’s not in your business plan to have a policy manual you need to add it.”

The manual is because most business owners spend much time considering the financial out comes of their business decisions, but Kennedy says that isn’t enough. “What can go wrong? What is not in your profit and loss columns or on

Andrea and Dave McFadden at their Okanagan Lavender Farm operations in Kelowna.

42 Spring 2013

The McMillan Farm generates the bulk of its revenue from the pumpkin patch, the hay maze and corn maze (background).

the balance sheet can still go wrong.”

She shows a photo of smashed bee hives under the caption of ‘Bear in mind that things can still go wrong.’ This is a pun because the smashed hives were the result of a hungry bear.

Another crucial challenge is letting the public know about the business, and attracting them to your site.

She says part of the solution is to find specialists who can work with you. They don’t have to be costly. In Kelowna

Photos Contributed

Both agreed advertising is expensive, but more difficult to assess than the cost, is the effectiveness of a given advertising program, but it is still essential. McFadden comments, “When you’re closed for the winter, people tend to forget about you.”

The McMillan's farm is partly covered with trees and they make use of that to set up "spooky" scenes for hay rides at Halloween.

Spring 2013 43

Helen Kennedy of Arlo Honey Farm in her bee suit. She says finding good staff for a seasonal operation is a continuing challenge.

McFadden had nothing but praise for the Tourism Kelowna team that has done great jobs in promoting her operation.

Kennedy shares an anecdote about some Japanese tourists at her doorstep who showed her a sizeable website entry on the Arlo operation, one she had no hand in creating. She credits that to Kelowna Tourism marketing efforts, but whether it is marketing or accounting, both believe the money is made by focusing on what you do well and outsourcing to others what you don’t.

McFadden has one final piece of advice. When she and her husband started the lavender tourism operations, they hedged their bets with grape vine plantings to provide more income.

Ultimately though the grape vines were a side business that detracted from what they really wanted to accomplish with the lavender. McFadden admonishes, “Are you in this business or are you not in this business?”

The next round of consultations for the EDC program are expected to start up in the autumn of 2013. ■ For more information contact Tracey Fredrickson at the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission: tfredrickson@investkelowna.com.

These bee hives, wrecked by a bear, prompted Helen Kennedy to write, ‘Bear in mind that things can still go wrong. (top right) Rick Appel is Helen Kennedy’s partner in the Arlo Honey Farm, but he keeps a low profile in his contributions to the agri-tourism business. (bottom right)

44 Spring 2013

Save the Earth – Drink B.C. Wine!

By Darcy Nybo

ing transport by 483 pounds of CO2 per ton of product. To move one ton of glass bottles from China to an Okanagan winery in Oliver creates 678 pounds of CO2.

Moving one ton of glass bottles from Verallia in Seattle creates 195 pounds.

Recycled wine bottles used by local wineries will eventually be placed in recycle bins and make their way back through the system to Verallia. Then they are sorted by glass colour, broken down, and melted to make more bottles and shipped back to the wineries by Tricorbraun.

Winemakers in B.C. have joined with TricorBraun WinePac to educate the wine buying public on recycled glass bottles. Heidi Cook, packaging consultant and sales manager for Pacific Northwest (PNW) TricorBraun WinePak knew her winery customers were familiar with ecofriendly packaging; however, wine consumers weren’t getting that information.

“The majority of B.C. wines, stay here in B.C.,” says Cook. “I approached the BC Liquor Distribution Board (BCLDB) and asked them if there was some way of letting the winery customers know what we are doing with regard to eco-friendly packaging. After some discussion, we chose to do a promotion during Earth Week. It was decided to use the necktag process, where information is hung on the bottle neck for consumers to read.”

Earth Week runs from April 16 to Earth Day on April 22. Starting April 16, the BCLDB and wine shops will have participating wines sporting necktags that tell consumers they use eco-friendly packaging. The tags say, ‘Do you know what’s in your bottle other than wine?’

The flip side says, ‘Learn how this B.C. winery is making a sustainable difference in their choice of wine packaging.’

There’s also a QR code to scan to your smart phone.

“The launch day will be the beginning of earth week; however, it is something the wineries can use all year,” says Cook.

“The link to Tricorbraun’s website (tricorbraunwinepak/bc-sustainability.aspx) explains how Tricorbraun is the distributor for the Verallia eco-wine bottles and it has all the information people will need about the bottles; how they are made and how much you save in carbon footprint by using them.”

“It is important to note than everyone from small to large wineries are moving on this program,” says Cook. “The little guys may not have the cash flow of the commercial wineries; however, they are conscious of the impact that glass has on the environment. We’ve seen a big growth in that market segment.”

Recycling these bottles is a closed loop.

“Bottles are accumulated by Encorp (which runs Return-It depots) and from their they are shipped to Seattle’s eCullet facility, thus consuming less energy and precious natural resources,” notes Cook.

Starting April 16, the BCLDB and wine shops will have participating wines sporting necktags that tell consumers they use eco-friendly packaging.

How it Works In the recent past, many wine bottles came from China. Using bottles produced at Verallia’s plant in Seattle are more eco-friendly.

B.C. wineries participate by purchasing glass packaging in a local market, thereby reducing their carbon footprint dur-

“With the wine bottle itself being the biggest component of the package, we commend and support these wineries in the strides they’ve made. It is important to be able to give our wine industry and their customers a sustainable choice.”

Benefits Using recycled glass (called cullet) produces the following benefits: • Saves energy. The glass container industry reduces energy costs by 2 to 3% for

Participating B.C. Wineries ■ 3 Mile Estate Winery ■ 8th Generation Winery ■ Arrowleaf Winery ■ Baille Grohman Winery ■ Black Widow Winery ■ Blasted Church Vineyards ■ Blue Grouse Vineyards ■ Cedar Creek Winery ■ Chase & Warren Winery ■ Church & State Winery ■ Fairview Cellars ■ Forbidden Fruit Winery ■ Garry Oaks Winery ■ Gehringer Brothers Winery ■ Gray Monk Winery ■ Heaven’s Gate Winery ■ Hester Creek Winery ■ Hillside Winery ■ Kettle Valley Winery

■ Krazy Legs Winery ■ Lake Breeze Winery ■ Little Straw Vineyards ■ Mission Hill Winery ■ Muse Winery ■ Mt. Lehman Winery ■ Platinum Bench Vineyards ■ Quails Gate Winery ■ Robin Ridge Winery ■ Stag’s Hollow Winery ■ Sunnybrae Winery ■ Terravista Vineyards ■ Tinhorn Winery ■ Thornhaven Winery ■ Topshelf Winery ■ The View Winery ■ Wellbrook Winery ■ Wild Goose Winery

Spring 2013 45

every 10% of cullet used in the manufacturing process.

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• Saves raw materials. Every ton of recycled glass saves over a ton of raw materials including 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash and 380 pounds of limestone.

• Fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Using 10% more recycled glass allows for a 6% decrease in nitrogen oxide and 9.5% reduction in raw materials.

• Keep glass out of landfill. Verallia uses enough cullet to save nearly 10 million cubic feet of landfill space. Laid end to end, containers made from this amount of glass would circle the Earth 11 times.

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The list on page 29 contains the wineries that have reduced their carbon footprint and their bottles will be sporting the new neck tags as of Earth Day 2013. ■

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Apple Powdery Mildew – Easy to Control , Part 2

By William McPhee Powdery mildew on apple trees is a problem in the Okanagan because of the ideal climatic conditions for the fungus Podosphaera leucotricha. Control of the disease is poorly understood by growers, which has resulted in a lot of frustration. The disease can stunt tree growth and weaken buds, and is found on blossoms, leaves, twigs, buds and fruit.

Management guidelines were given in the 2012 year end issue of Orchard and Vine for a winter strategy in powdery mildew management. This article is a detailed strategy for summer control.

Most varieties grown locally, such as Gala, Fuji, Ambrosia and Spartan can become seriously infected if not properly managed, but Sunrise, Honeycrisp and McIntosh are most susceptible and more difficult to control.

Newly planted nursery trees should be considered a special case because the level of mildew cannot be detected at the time of planting. A prevention program is recommended in all new plantings for the first year starting with an early systemic fungicide.

The Summer Cycle Blossom buds infected the previous season will appear white in spring. This mildew that over-wintered in fruit buds is called a primary infection. As active bud growth is initiated the fungus rapidly develops along with the new plant tissue, generating masses of conidia on all surfaces it covers (Figure 1).

More primary mildew becomes visible as infected vegetative shoots emerge.

The surface of leaves or blossoms, covered with a powdery film, actually consists of chains and chains of spores (Figure 2). These spores will spread in the wind and, under ideal conditions, will germinate on new tissue causing secondary infections.

There is a delay between the spread of spores, infection, and the visual expression of the secondary fungus. This delay of 10 to 14 days can be very misleading. Generally the first realization a significant secondary infection has occurred is in the first week in June. Growers interpret this as being an early June infection when the infection probably occurred two weeks earlier.

Figure 1: An infected blossom bud distorted and covered with typical white mildew.

As is usual for fungi the number of spores produced are astronomical and the level of secondary infections can be extremely high under good environmental conditions.

Optimum conditions for the fungus are high humidity (80-100%) and temperatures between 20 to 22ºC. However the fungus is a threat at a much wider range of temperatures (10 to 25ºC), but very little spore germination occurs in free water or at temperatures of 30ºC or above.

The table on page 32 summarizes summer control strategies and is based on the previous fall-winter infection level estimates as discussed in the previous issue of Orchard and Vine. Also, as outlined at that time, any carry-over infections will become visible as soon as blossom occurs. The fungus that has over wintered in the buds will begin actively growing when the host tissue begins to grow.

Figure 2: Surface of leaves, which looks like a powdery film to the naked eye, are actually chains of spores as this microscopic shot shows.

spring carry-over in relation to tree development in our area, and that the fungus is alive and well within these buds before the first mildew sprays go on.

Without the early, systemic fungicide, blossom infections will result in a major summer leaf infection, especially in susceptible varieties, which

It is important to understand

can be almost uncontrollable (Figure 3). In such a case an extensive protectant program throughout the summer becomes necessary.

A protectant summer program can be difficult once the initial secondary infection takes hold. The extent of the cyclic re-infection of secondary mildew throughout the Spring 2013 47

summer will depend on all the factors discussed above, i.e., the susceptibility of the variety, the level of the initial secondary infection, the micro-environmental conditions of the block, etc. However, once a secondary infection is established early in the season (usually the first week in June in the Okanagan Similkameen), the protectant program becomes a calendar spray that attempts to maintain a permanent fungicidal cover on newly developing tissues.

The fungus does not survive well in rain, but can be very aggressive in warm, overcast, and high humidity conditions, particularly with the more susceptible varieties.

Under ideal conditions a block can become heavily infected very quickly. This ability of the mildew to spread rapidly causes a real problem for growers and is why a proactive and aggressive early

control strategy is so important. Early sprays, where infection levels are significant, are the key to summer control and suppression of mildew carry over to the next season.

With the newer varieties now common in our orchards there seems to be more late-season pressure causing late season infections. I have not personally experienced this, but growers indicate “blocks that are apparently clean mid summer, suddenly become infected as harvest approaches.�

This needs to be investigated, but the likely explanation is that early season control was weak. Mild secondary infections occurring in early summer would be visible by late June, but not obvious.

Ideal infection period conditions in July would start a secondary cycle. Although the trees would be less susceptible then, they would not be immune. The mildew

Apple Powder Mildew Control Guide

Mildew Levels*

Winter White Tips

Heavy leaf infection of highly susceptible varieties affecting all trees

Moderate

Sprays

Numerous white tips evident during pruning when the leaves are off

1st spray - a systemic** at green tip 2nd spray - a systemic at pink 3rd spray - a protectant at first as necessary

White tips evident throughout the tree

1st spray - a systemic at pink 2nd spray - a protectant at first cover Further sprays as necessary

White tips evident in 10 % of the trees

1st spray - a systemic at pink

Few white tips visible.

1st spray - consult with your field representative - no sprays may be necessary

Heavy Leaf infections easily visible throughout the tree (in approximately 50% of trees)

The chasmothecia are visible, as seen here on the apple stem.

See production guide or talk to your field person for choices

Late Summer Fall Leaf

Severe

White tips can be evaluated throughout the summer and during picking.

Leaf infections in 10% of the trees

Light Visible on leaves but scattered through the block

Newly Planted Nursery Infection levels in newly planted trees cannot be assessed properly until the tree leafs out. For this reason a preventative spray is recommended at green tip. * Ratings are general. Cosult with your field representative if you are unsure of your level. ** Systemic refers to a local systemic action. A fungicide will penetrate into leaf tissue.

48 Spring 2013

1st spay - a systemic at green tip Further sprays if necessary

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Figure 3: A high infection level from the previous summer and a poor spring control program will lead to a high infection level in trees in the current season.

build-up, if untreated, would continue until an apparent heavy infection appears to occur in mid- to late-August.

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Fruit Russet Russet, the appearance of corky, roughened, brownish or grey areas on apples, may result from a number of causes. These include cool wet weather, frost, sprays, some viruses or powdery mildew. The pattern of the russet can indicate the cause.

Mildew infection will be tan to grey with a net like appearance.

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Fruit russet can occur from about three weeks pre-bloom to three weeks after bloom after which surface wax production makes the fruit resistant to the russeting.

Management Strategies Pruning style can have a significant impact on powdery mildew levels. Shady blocks encourage mildew development when environmental conditions are met. Open trees with good light penetration and air circulation will reduce humidity within the tree and increase temperatures. Both these will discourage mildew development.

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Overhead irrigation should not be a problem in well open blocks. Mildew spores do not germinate in free water. In open trees the water from overhead irrigation should dry off quickly without increasing the relative humidity.

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Spray Timing Chemical control timing is outlined in the table on page 32. This table outlined the strategy variations that are acceptable for different infection potentials within the trees. When choosing a fungicide keep in mind that the early sprays should be with a systemic product that will penetrate the infected buds. This is critical to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of secondary infections.

Winter Survival Is mildew killed by low winter temperature? Mildew infected buds are more susceptible to winter injury than healthy buds. When temperatures dip to minus 20ºC or below, infected buds do not survive. Since the mildew is an obligate parasite, i.e. it cannot survive without living tissue, the mildew does not survive. A reduction in spring mildew after a severe winter simply relates to the fact that the buds harbouring the mildew did not survive.

Follow these guidelines, be proactive, and mildew will be controlled. ■

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www.idlconsulting.com 50 Spring 2013

B.C. Wine Law still Riddled with Complication

By Michael Botner If the 2013 Wine Law in B.C. conference is any indication, organizers will have to consider increasing it from one day to two, and adding more space for participants. To bring them up-to-date on a myriad of issues, a dozen speakers delivered detailed presentations covering virtually every wine law–related topic to stakeholders representing a gamut of sectors in the wine industry.

But not impossible, according to Frank Haddad, executive director of recently established Modernize Wine Association of B.C. “Our goal is to modernize B.C.’s liquor laws, regulations and policies,” Haddad explained in his address.

He suggests secondary tasting rooms in Oliver and Okanagan Falls to increase wine tourism. They have revitalized small towns like Healdsburg, California, and Walla Walla, Washington,” he says.

There is the matter of rampant counterfeiting of Canadian Icewine, especially in China, a serious trade issue which applies to Canada’s top wine export to the world’s fastest growing wine market. In his address, ‘Freezing the Flood,’ Christopher S. Wilson of Bull Housser, described the challenges and a number of educational, legal and technical steps that Canadian producers can take. The problem for negotiators seeking a trade solution: there is no national standard for Canadian icewine; only provincial ones that carry little or no weight in nation to nation exchanges.

An analysis of the 2013 Grape Supply Forecast, presented by Michael Welsh of Mott, Welsh & Associates, a South Okanagan law firm based in Penticton, reveals some of the difficulties facing the industry. It came on the heels of the talk by Miles Prodan, executive director of the B.C. Wine Institute, who reported sales of VQA wines are up marginally, but are

Photos by Michael Botner

Space prohibits covering all of them in a single piece. For example, privatizing and modernizing both wholesale distribution and retail sales of wine under the state of Washington’s Initiative 1183, which are experiencing teething problems, is interesting but strictly academic in British Columbia, where change is ponderous.

Executive director of the B.C. Wine Institute Miles Prodan says non-VQA wine sales are currently growing faster than VQA.

not growing as fast as non-VQA, Cellared in Canada or imported wines.

“The strength is in winery sales,” Welsh says, “which has to do with bill C-311,” opening the door to interprovincial shipping of wine. His key points: • A levelling off of new plantings of grape vines, with only 400 acres projected for 2013 concentrated in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. With suitable arable land now all planted in the Okanagan and the high cost of good vineyard properties, new plantings will continue to decline. “Additional plantings will be by new small wineries, not independent growers, and in more marginal areas, such as the Shuswap, Kootenays and Grand Forks.

• Despite the slowdown in new plantings, tonnage is soaring and will continue surging until 2015. 2012 is 20% higher than 2011, bringing the total to around 32,000 tons. When recently planted vineyards come into full production that figure will increase by 14,000 tons (930,000

cases) over the next three years.

• Only 38% of the tonnage (495 growers/3782 tons) is derived from independent growers, contrasted with 62% from vineyards owned or controlled by wineries.

• With the premium market for B.C. wines (versus growing Cellared in Canada and mid-value categories) declining, many independent growers are unable to sell grapes to the premium market.

Because of low prices ($600/ton), especially for Cellared in Canada wines, more growers will start their own wineries, enabling them to sell directly to consumers.

Some of the small wineries will fail because the market is saturated • Solutions include expanding interprovincial trade; uniting a “fractious” B.C. wine industry for the efficiencies to compete in the mid-value market; custom crush options to reduce capital costs; and raising B.C. content in Cellared in Canada wines.

Spring 2013 51

In favour of making life easier for B.C. growers and wineries is the obvious fact that, currently, when consumers spend $15 or $20 on a bottle of 100% B.C. wine, especially in the case of direct to consumer sales, they are putting most of that money back into the B.C. economy. For imported wine, and even Cellared in Canada wines, the B.C. amount is minuscule in comparison. That is something the provincial government should consider when drafting rules, regulations and legislation for winery licensing in particular and liquor distribution in general.

The last presentation on Land Use Regulation in B.C., by R. Max Collett of Bull Houser, provided evidence on how regulations can get in the way, and stifle growth. Growers and wineries live under a “complex, multi-layered web of laws, bylaws, policies and practices,” he says. Applicable laws include the Agriculture Land Commission Act (ALR), Farm Practices Protection Act, Environmental Management Act, Water Act, and Land Act. For a winery restaurant, like Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek, there are more layers – B.C. Liquor Control & Licensing, B.C. Liquor Control & Distribution, regional government and local First Nations. ALR requirements mean the restaurant operates with a winery lounge license, not a restaurant primary license, which limits the use, hours, capacity and both indoor and outdoor space. Further, the LCLB requires only wine manufactured and bottled in B.C. can be served in a winery lounge. So Miradoro can’t serve local beer, spirits, or wine from other jurisdictions.

“We’d like to allow customers to compare our wines with similar varieties from Ontario or Washington,” says Sandra Oldfield, CEO and wine maker at Tinhorn Creek.

Frank Haddad is head of the newly created Modernize Wine Association of B.C.

Collett provided a few individual examples of non-farm use or exclusion applications accompanying winery lounges by Summerhill Winery, Hillside Estate Winery and Lulu Island Winery.

So it is possible if it is “not intrusive to the underlying farm operation.” ■

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Spring 2013 53

 EDITOR’S VIEW | DEVON BROOKS

Is ‘What’s Good for Farmers’ Good for Farming? ers can’t afford to buy. Instead more and more land goes to those who can afford multimillion dollar real estate deals.

selling their land for the best dollar possible. They saw it as an infringement upon their rights.

When professionals and successful business people purchase this land it often pays for the retirement of a farmer no longer able to work their land.

They were correct. It was, but it turned out only to be a stop gap measure.

This works well for the farmer, but spells the death knell for farming.

T

he 2013 provincial election is coming. I harp on this a lot because this is one of the rare opportunities for farmers to get their message out to the political body and in politics only the squeaky, persistent wheel will get any grease.

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), designed in the ‘70s, was supposed to reduce pressure on farm land by preventing willy-nilly development.

It has preserved some farm land, but ultimately, not for farmers. The connection between the value of farming and land should be determined by whether a farmer can produce some crop or livestock, and make a living from it.

Value-added products, agri-tourism, offfarm second jobs – can help preserve some farms already here, but it won’t save B.C. farming in the long term. It won't allow new farmers, young farmers with limited cash to enter into the industry. Moreover, even if it could, not every farmer is cut out to be a retail business person.

Only some radical changes to the system will be able to preserve it for farmers in the future.

In 1972 the ALR was a radical leap, one that many farmer’s opposed because they thought it would keep them from

To bring in young people to work the land, with debt loads that make farming feasible, farmers will have to actively search for a solution that will hurt some of them individually through reduced real estate prices. The obvious idea is to put in place a law that only allows ALR land to go to farmers. The question is whether today's farmers, most of them well into their 50s, are willing to lose money so that younger farmers have a way in.

To put it mildly, a change this radical would hurt.

Provincial politicians will never make such a change unless there is a loud public voice pushing such a solution. Farmers would have to be the loudest voice in such an outcry. ■

Many farmers simply can’t do that, even those who inherited their land at relatively little cost.

The average age of a farmer in the Okanagan is now 57. Fewer than a quarter of them have family transition plans because many kids see their parents can’t make a living and are opting for other careers.

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54 Spring 2013

 LEGAL LIBATIONS | DENESE ESPEUT-POST

Tied House Rules the excessive sale of alcohol through overly aggressive marketing.

tablishment that is associated with a liquor manufacturer (or their agent), an association that is likely to lead to that establishment favoring the manufacturer’s products to exclusion of others in whole or in part.

F

or those of you in the wine industry, you may have experienced limitations in your ability to sell and distribute your wine due to the tied house rules. These rules are trade practice laws that most would agree are difficult, sometimes contradictory and often frustrating.

They are designed to prohibit and restrict commercial interactions between liquor manufacturers and licensed establishments such as private liquor stores and licensed restaurants. The idea is to prevent domination of retailers by suppliers and prevent bribes and other unlawful inducements for the promotion of a supplier’s liquor over another.

A tied house is a licensed es-

Many governments saw the main tied house evil as the control of retailers by suppliers. In British Columbia, the Liquor Inquiry Commission of 1952 resulted in legislative changes which included the prohibition of tied houses and inducements like gifts and money. At that time, the Liquor Commission found that B.C. breweries had consolidated and competition was limited.

At the end of Prohibition, tied houses were prohibited in all Canadian provinces. Many blamed the aggressive marketing of alcoholic beverages for the excesses that lead to Prohibition in the first place.

For example, the “tied house evil” had breweries controlling bars and working hard to encourage consumption of their products. Breweryowned bars and restaurants often offered free meals if the customer ordered a drink.

Over the past 60 years, there has been a relaxing of the tied house rules. Exemptions have been created for brewpubs and stadiums and wineries have been permitted to have on-site winery stores to sell their products. Manufacturers are now permitted to provide several non-alcoholic promotional items to licensees, such as private liquor stores, for the benefit of their customers as well as fund licensee educational and hospitality expenses.

The temperance movement argued that many social evils such as increases in alcohol consumption, irresponsible ownership of retail outlets and political corruption were linked to tied houses. The tied house rules were to prevent large manufacturers from dominating local markets and

To this day, the debate regarding the need and the consequences of the tied house rules remains alive and well. Some are opposed to deregulation for various reasons including those reasons which fueled the temperance movement as well as the desire to protect fair competition amongst manufacturers (i.e. prevent the legalization of inducements which may result in large manufacturers taking business away from smaller manufacturers).

On the other hand, some are in favor of deregulation for various reasons including the fact that business practices are regulated federally through the Competition Act; inducements between manufacturers and licensees already occurs; the number of licensed establishments is significantly greater than in 1952 making the ability of a manufacturer to adversely impact customer choice unlikely; the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch’s (LCLB) resources may be better spent on other public safety priorities such as

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Spring 2013 55

Cheers!

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over-service and service to minors; and the LCLB has previously approved financial associations between manufacturers and licensees, but not permitted the sale of the manufacturer’s product in the licensed establishment to prevent a tied house which is arguably unfair for a small manufacturer.

The legislation regarding tied house rules continues to evolve to this day. Effective March 1, 2013, after considering industry input and the need to protect government revenue, consumer choice and fair competition, the provincial government amended the tied house rules to allow licensed small and medium volume brewers, distillers and wineries to have an association with up to three licensed establishments, located away from their manufacturing site, where their liquor may be sold. To qualify as a small or medium volume manufacturer, annual production must not exceed 100,000L for distillery, 750,000L for a winery and 300,000hL for brewery.

Off-site tied house establishments, with the exception of off-site winery stores, are required to sell a range of products from a variety of manufacturers not associated or connected with each other.

These amendments do not apply to UBrew/UVin establishments or licensed agents.

If you are planning on taking advantage of these amendments and think you might qualify for off-site tied house establishments, speak to your lawyer for assistance in interpreting the amendments and determining their application to your situation. ■ Denese Espeut-Post is an Okanaganbased lawyer and owns Avery Law Office. Her primary areas of practice include wine and business law. She also teaches the wine law courses at Okanagan College.

For the Latest News on the Industry visit www.orchardandvine.net

• NEWS • FUNDING & PROGRAMS • EDUCATION • OPINIONS • BLOGS • PROGRAMS • COMMENTS • DIRECTORY 56 Spring 2013

 MONEY TALKS | STEVE FUNK

Rethink Leaving AgriStability and AgriInvest don’t fully understand the programs” leads a producer to conclude “I don’t need the programs.”

Producers who have a strong understanding of the programs will, almost always, want to incorporate them into the risk management strategy for their farm – even after the recent round of changes.

T

here is increased negativity these days towards the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs resulting from the recently announced changes that will affect the 2013 program year applications to be filed in 2014.

The program budgets were cut; however, there have also been government cuts to areas other than agriculture.

The changes have caused producers to question whether they should continue to be involved in these programs.

To make a decision that is right for them, it is crucial producers understand the program changes and be able to interpret how their farm will be affected before the 2013 AgriStability signup deadline of April 30, 2013.

Unfortunately, interpreting the program changes can be accomplished only in light of a good understanding of the existing programs. Without that understanding, the current round of changes will simply add another layer of confusion.

The worst thing that can happen is if “I

So then, step number one in interpreting the program changes is to understand the existing programs – some producers may need to do some reading and consult with their professional advisor to get a better understanding.

With that in mind, here is a quick summary of key program changes, their interpretation and some recommendations for producers.

AgriInvest Key change: • The government matching contribution is being reduced by one-third.

Interpretation: • The program continues to guarantee producers government benefits each year and the accounting fees are minor in relation to those benefits.

Recommendation: • Continue to participate.

AgriStability Key changes: • Increase in the self-insured portion to 30% of the reference margin from 15%.

• Equalization of government funding percentages to a straight 70%.

• Potential limiting of reference margins (this will not be finalized until JanuaryFebruary of 2013).

Interpretation: • The first two changes result in less government support; however, there is still substantial support available.

• Unlike traditional insurance products, these programs are government subsidized. This means that over time, most producers will reap benefits that substantially outweigh the costs.

• Now, instead of getting a significant payment every five years, maybe it becomes every five to 10 years. It was a great program before; now it is only a good program.

The third change will not affect all producers, only those who consistently achieve high gross margins. This may include high-end grain and oilseed, potato, tobacco and dairy producers.

Even after the program changes are considered, AgriStability is still the cheapest form of whole farm insurance in the Canadian marketplace and, for some types of farms, the only form of whole farm insurance available.

Consider that for straight grain and oilseed producers, the costs of the program will vary between 50¢ and $2 per acre for potential government payments that could amount to well over $100 per acre every five to 10 years in many cases.

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With less support being paid out through AgriStability (and AgriInvest), the government has created an environment where ad-hoc programming will be in bigger demand.

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• Go back five to seven years and add up your AgriStability benefits compared to program fees and accounting costs.

• Consider that the program covers a total of four variables: price and quantity of production and price and quantity of inputs. Never make an opt-out decision based solely on the fact that one of those variables (e.g. commodity selling prices) is doing well.

• Consider that AgriStability has been the basis of calculation for ad-hoc programs in the past before opting out.

You may end up having to file your applications in any case or, worse yet, may be out of luck if you didn’t file the original applications. Applications are generally more expensive to file when filing has not been maintained on an annual basis.

• Consider your equity position and whether your balance sheet can withstand a disaster scenario without government subsidized insurance.

• Consult with your bankers prior to making any opt-out decisions, to determine how they feel about your ability to repay loans if you drop out of cheap, government subsidized insurance.

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Producers who have a good understanding of the risks in their farming operation and how AgriStability and AgriInvest tie in to their risk management will likely stay in these programs and continue to reap the benefits and security they offer. ■

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• Consult your professional advisor who may be able to conduct further costbenefit analysis to assist in the program participation decision.

For MNP's Kelowna office call Geoff McIntyre, CA business advisor to the Agrifood industry. To find out what Geoff can do for you, contact him at 250.763.8919 or geoff.mcintyre@mnp.ca.

 THE WILD THINGS | MARGARET HOLM

Orchardists Support Biodiversity

B

iodiversity—we hear a lot about how important it is, but it is not easy to figure out what difference it makes and what we can do about it.

In 2003, Ken and Mellhina Thibault purchased a soft fruit orchard in Osoyoos that became “Casa de Mell Orchards,” a family operated fruit stand and orchard. During cherry season customers can pick their own fruit or buy a variety of fruit at the roadside fruit stand on Highway 97. “When we moved here in 2003, we knew this was a special place. Mell and I reflected on the footprint we wanted to leave on the land, and wanted to balance agriculture with the environment,” says Ken Thibault.

The Thibaults wanted to show their grandson it is important to give back to the environment. They decided to work on an Environmental

Photo by Jessica Hobden, SOS Stewardship Program

Farm Plan. A Farm Plan advisor helped point out the poor condition of a wetland area on their property and the potential for supporting biodiversity.

In 2005, with assistance from ‘Puddles for Peepers,’ a Ducks Unlimited program and the South Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Program, the Thibaults removed several dump-truck loads of old agricultural equipment, garbage, and tree stumps from the wetland. A biologist encouraged them to build a pond for Great Basin Spadefoot, an endangered amphibian. The biologist provided a pond design and while the Thibaults bought the plants, the Environmental Farm Plan and conservation organizations provided assistance with digging and cleaning up the pond, and volunteers helped plant native vegetation.

Mell (centre) and Ken Thibault (right) displaying their Wildlife Habitat Steward sign given to them by Natasha Lukey (left) from SOS Stewardship.

for visitors. About an acre is natural habitat with sandbar willow, cattails, trees, wildflowers, sedges and grasses.

Desert-adapted amphibians like the Great Basin spadefoot (often called a toad) and tiger salamander were once common in the southern interior. The spadefoot breeds in small temporary ponds and rain flooded fields, needing only six to eight weeks for the tadpoles to mature before living the rest of their lives on land, digging underground to survive the winter.

In the years since the pond project was completed, the Thibaults have put up bat houses and continued with wildlife friendly plantings.

There is an amphibian interpretive sign at the fruit stand and the Thibaults hope to build a path and little interpretive spot near the pond

With rising temperatures and

Wetlands include ponds, marshes, and seasonallyflooded fields and are critical

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drier winters, spadefoot breeding areas have dried up and this rare amphibian is in trouble. After a couple of successful years with many spadefoots using the pond, the Thibaults have seen how the area is now rarely wet enough in spring to support tadpoles. With the help of the SOS Stewardship program, they are sharing the cost of installing a pond liner so the pond can be kept full during May and June.

• Purchase and sale of farms • Transfer of farms to children • Preparation of farm tax returns • Government programs • Use of $800,000 Capital Gains Exemptions

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Spring 2013 59

AgriStability BC Ministry of Agriculture

Attention Producers: New Participant April 30th 2013 Deadline Notification If you would like to participate in AgriStability for this program year please contact us BEFORE April 30th, 2013 for an enrollment package.

AS A PRODUCER, WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE IN AGRISTABILITY? By participating in AgriStability, you are protecting your farm operation from income declines when: prices drop, expenses increase, there is a production loss, market disruption AgriStability is a margin based program. It targets individual producers and it provides equitable, whole-farm support for most agriculture commodities.

HOW CAN I APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM? • If you have never participated in AgriStability or have opted out in recent years, you must request a New Participant Package. You can access a New Participant package by: • Calling Toll Free 1-877-343-2767 • Visiting the AgriStability website at www.agf.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability • E-mailing AgriStability@gov.bc.ca • Producers who participated in the 2011 or 2012 program will automatically receive a package from the AgriStability administration.

Please note: The AgriStability administration has started mailing 2013 Enrolment Notices to producers. If you have recently participated in AgriStability and information is missing, the AgriStability administration will notify you. If you are unsure if you have recently participated, please contact us.

For more information about the 2013 AgriStability Enrolment Notice please visit our website http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/agristability or contact us at: Toll-free number: 1-877-343-2767 Fax number: 1-877-605-8467 AGRISTABILITY REGIONAL OFFICES 200 1500 Hardy St Kelowna, BC V1Y 8H2

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for the survival of wildlife. Communities in the Okanagan are waking up to the fact that wetland habitats are disappearing.

Since the early 1800s, 85 to 90% of the large wetlands between Penticton and Osoyoos have been lost.

The loss of ponds and marshes is seen as a critical problem worldwide as well as in British Columbia. That is why the provincial government has recently strengthened the Water Act, making it illegal to alter any natural watercourse, including creeks, springs, ravines, swamps and dry gulches on private land and agricultural land without approval. Modifications to these natural areas must be approved by the Water Stewardship Division of the Ministry of Environment.

There is no financial compensation for allowing your land to be natural habitat. The Thibaults have put a lot of sweat equity into their conservation project, but local conservation organizations have stepped up to help as well. Their neighbours are very supportive and have helped with various wildlife projects.

The Thibaults have signed a partnership agreement with SOS Stewardship. In exchange for their ongoing care of natural habitat on their property, they receive assistance with planning and some financial help with stewardship improvements. “It is important that it is non-government. We have a say and can be open about our planning with no one is telling us what we can do with our land. The partnership is for the land so it’s a great partnership and we’ve had nothing but a positive experience,” says Mell Thibault. “We wish there was more money, but we do what we can every year. The people in SOS stewardship try really hard to help us.”

Ken and Mell have joined on as “Wildlife Habitat Stewards” with the South Okanagan – Similkameen Stewardship Program, and have a sign they can post on their farm gate.

SOS Stewardship promotes the voluntary stewardship of important habitat on private lands. Program staff offer information on habitat conservation and restoration, as well as options for permanent conservation protection. The SOS Stewardship program was established in 1994 to work with farmers, ranchers and rural landowners to help restore and protect precious habitat. Contact them in Penticton at 250-809-1980 or visit their web site www.soscp.org/stewardship to learn more about their programs and land owner partners. ■

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60 Spring 2013

 TAYLORMADE IDEAS | JENNIFER TAYLOR

Brand Position

How Do You Determine Brand Position makers and stakeholders. Discuss the vision and mission of the company, the work culture, desired brand personality and compare it to that of your closest competitors.

from what your competitors offer?'

B

randing is an essential foundation to your winery’s sales and marketing strategy, but understanding the “why” behind branding, isn’t enough. Let’s move on to the “how.”

The first step in branding is to fully comprehend your ‘Brand Position.’

Brand position describes what you do, for whom, why they buy from you and most importantly, what is your unique selling proposition (USP).

i squ t a

Talk to existing customers, prospective customers and even those who are buying from your competition.

What features and benefits are they looking for? How important is selection, their experience at your winery, and price? What are the perceptions of your company versus the competition? Why did they buy your wine or visit your winery?

In other situations there are only small distinctions that need to be magnified in order to resonate with consumers.

Getting an understanding of your brand’s position is a process that takes time and careful consideration. We recommend a review of your winery from different viewpoints – to help you identify your winery and the wine’s brand

To expand the level of input, consider sending an online survey to your client database. They are readily available, affordable and allow you to reach a large number of people efficiently.

position.

What you think and what your staff see aren't always the same thing.

To encourage a decent response rate, you may wish to offer them the chance to

Internally, brainstorm with your winery’s key decision

Ag Repair

Clearly identifying your brand position, with the help of various perspectives, is an important process that may very well confirm what you instinctively feel about your brand.

Alternatively, it could save you thousands of marketing dollars on false assumptions and decisions that could have been averted. ■ Jennifer Taylor has been branding companies for over 25 years, with a specific focus on launches and re-launches.

Her company Taylormade Ideas creates branding, Internet marketing and public relations strategies for a variety of B.C. based companies. Reach her at 250-276-4333 or at jennifer@ taylormadeideas.ca.

Lt d

.

M

This involves answering two questions. 'What is the value proposition that you offer customers?' And more importantly, 'How is that different

The key to winning market share is brand differentiation.

Sometimes the differences are apparent and significant like price or a distinct ingredient (i.e. no one else uses a particular varietal in their wine).

win some of your wine. Combine your online survey with in-person and/or phone conversations with consumers, which will allow you to dig deeper with follow-on questions.

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Spring 2013 61

 THE WORD ON WINE | BC WINE INSTITUTE

Stunning Sips to come from 2012 Vintage fruit development. High temperatures in August and September allowed the grapes to fully ripen, and increased the overall health of the vines. Harvest began on September 9, and continued through October and early November.

fter a few years of harrowing vintages, the 2012 vintage was a return to a more normal growing season. Growers across British Columbia welcomed warmer temperatures and good growing conditions, ideal for BC VQA wines.

A

Due to the warm conditions, the wines from 2012 are very exciting. The 2012 whites are now hitting store shelves and consumers can expect fragrant wines with expressive fruit flavours. Some of the standout whites will be Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. The majority of the 2012 reds will not be released until next year, but they will be worth the wait.

After a mild winter, spring brought the rains, creating plush canopies with bud break almost a week earlier than the previous year. Due to intense rains, bud break continued up to a few weeks in some areas, because of the increased vigor in the vines. This also meant that vintners often didn’t need to irrigate.

At the 2012 Winemakers and Viticulturalists’ Forum last year, many vintners noted very full and ripe flavours from the rich reds in particular, with an increase in production from the great vintage. Some of the reds to look forward to include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

u o Y k PAT R O N n a h T

Summer was warm and dry, with good

Due to the excellent conditions of this

vintage, full bodied red wines will be in demand from this year. When planning a wine cellar, stocking up on wines from a good vintage offers great value, as the wines will age well and continue to taste better through time. BC VQA wines from 2012 will continue to increase in value through the years – expect to see higher prices for these wines in the future.

Wines that do well with bottle aging include Sparkling wines, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Meritage style blends; keep these wines in mind for a cellar. After deliberation, consider purchasing a case of an age worthy wine instead of simply a bottle. Tasting a bottle from the case every few years to see how the wine matures is an exciting experiment – and ensures the wine is enjoyed at its peak. ■ Kate Crothers is the Communications Coordinator for the BC Wine Institute, which represents 133 winery members and 14 grape growing partners.

The BC Agriculture Council wishes to thank all sponsors & supporters who helped make our 2013 BC AgriFood Industry Gala on January 23th a great success.

2013 BC AGRIFOOD I N D U S T RY GALA

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Your generous contributions are sincerely appreciated.

62 Spring 2013

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