With the grape harvest getting underway in the Okanagan, an analysis of last year’s crop for the BC Wine Grape Council sets the stage for what growers will be picking this fall. Plantings have been expanding in BC in recent years, with some growers pushing into new, higher-elevation locations for cool-climate vines. Those acres yielded …
wine
Wineries reopen amid COVID-19
Tweaks to public health regulations governing bars and restaurants will mean few changes for the province’s wineries. A surge in cases prompted the province’s public health officials to clamp down and ban dancing and require patrons to be seated to receive service at bars, restaurants and other licensed establishments. In addition, parties are limited to …
Top grape grower recognized
Karnail Sidhu, owner of Kalala Organic Estate Winery in West Kelowna, is the recipient of the BC Grapegrowers Association’s inaugural viticulturist of the year award. BCGA president by John Bayley presented the award to Sidhu at a small ceremony at Kalala on June 19. Bayley says the award was established, “to commend those in our …
Agriculture first for support
Close to three-quarters of BC residents believe agri-food companies should be first in line for government assistance to help them weather the effects of COVID-19, according to a survey market research firm Research Co. conducted in partnership with Glacier Media. “Across the province, the highest level of support for government assistance is observed for agri-food …
Farming trumps tourism
The economic toll of COVID-19 continues to mount, with nearly a million people across Canada laid off over the past two weeks. Tourism has borne the brunt of government restrictions on events and social activities, with restaurants and coffee shops limited to take-out service or closed altogether. The number of hotels shuttered continues to climb. …
Pruning priorities different for FV grapegrowers
LANGLEY – Close to 30 grape growers in the Lower Mainland attended the BC Grapegrowers’ Association’s first workshop outside the Okanagan on January 21. The session, held at Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley, included a safety discussion and hands-on pruning workshop. Township 7 winemaker Mary McDermott notes events like this are needed in Langley because …