BC’s icewine harvest kicked off in the wee hours of November 28 as temperatures in the Okanagan dropped below -8 degrees Celsius, the threshold required by law for harvesting and crushing frozen grapes for one of Canada’s signature agricultural products. Quails’ Gate Estate Winery of West Kelowna was one of 20 wineries that registered with …
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Autumn showers dampen harvest
A harvest update from the BC Wine Institute indicates that good weather during the growing season is buoying the optimism of winemakers during a wet harvest. September saw 40.8 mm of rain in Kelowna, well above the long-term average of 32.4 mm. October has seen 21.5 mm this month to date, on track to match …
Vineyard damage lowers expectations
Okanagan wineries hope growing conditions this summer will deliver a decent grape crop, despite delayed budbreak in vineyards across the Okanagan that hampered vine development. BC Grapegrowers Association members discussed the problem at a field day in May. “Some vines in some vineyards saw poor bud break this year, with erratic and late development,” says …
Grape growers honoured
The recent annual general meeting of the BC Wine Institute saw veteran Okanagan viticulturists Robert Goltz and Richard Cleave receive the BC Wine Institute Award of Distinction for their service to the industry. Goltz and Cleave are partners in R&R Management Services, which has overseen key vineyards for producers such as Andrew Peller Ltd. On presenting …
Two new wine regions recommended
Two new regions – known as geographic indications (GIs) – could soon be approved for use on wine labels. Naramata Bench and Skaha Bench, both located within the Okanagan Valley have been forwarded to Victoria for final approval by the BC Wine Authority. Wineries and growers in the two areas approved the designations late last …