Relief measures following crop loss will allow British Columbia wineries to import grapes and juice

—by Kate Prengaman

Following a near-total crop loss for the British Columbia wine industry, the provincial government announced a relief effort that will temporarily allow wineries to import grapes and juice.

The announcement was applauded by wine industries on both sides of the U.S./Canada border. In British Columbia, it means keeping wineries — and the wider tourism industry supported by those wineries — in business. In Washington, wine growers dealing with oversupply issues have the resources to support the Canadian industry.

Wine Growers British Columbia celebrated the decision in a news release.

“The B.C. wine industry’s economic impact extends well beyond our cellar doors, impacting construction, education, hospitality and tourism,” said Paul Sawler, chair of the board, in a statement. “This regulatory change expands the options for B.C.’s wineries, most of which are small, family-owned operations, to survive the impacts of these past few years and ensure living-wage jobs and the future economic vitality for our rural communities.”

The Washington Winegrowers Association has spent the past several months working to ensure a process is in place for grapes and juice to be exported to British Columbia, said association president Colleen Frei. 

“We can support and facilitate them through their winter damage,” she said, “and the B.C. wine industry — through their needs right now — (they) are really supporting Washington growers right now. Placing that supply is really important to Washington agriculture.”

Washington growers who want to learn more about the export process and any wineries that want to look at the grapes for sale can visit the resource pages Washington Winegrowers put together online at: wawinegrowers.org/grape_wine_dating_service.