New Region in Okanagan Wine Country Endorsed by BC Wine Authority

The Sub-Geographical Indication (Sub-GI) Application for an area called the Golden Mile Bench has received backing from the BC Wine Authority.

Photo Credit: BCWA

The proposal first went to the Wine Authority in May, 2014 by a group of wineries in the Okanagan Valley who would like to see a new sub region in the area. The proposed sub region would establish an area where, with certain qualifications met, the wine could be identified by.

According to Jeffery Thomas, Chair of the Board of Directors for the BC Wine Authority the application will now be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture.

“We reviewed the five criteria that was set out in Section 29 to see if it qualifies,” said Thomas. "The proponents must prove that the proposed area is geographically distinct and that the wines produced within the proposed sub region must consistently demonstrate distinctive characteristics related to the terroir.”

Photo Credit: Stock Photo

It will be up to the Agriculture Minister to decide whether or not to approve the Sub-GI, follow the Wine Authority’s recommendations, make changes, or reject it. No time frame has been set from the government as to when a decision is made, but Thomas hopes it is sooner than later.

If approved the Golden Mile Bench sub region would be first of its kind in BC and would include wineries such as Tinhorn Creek, Gehringer Winery, Road 13 and Rustico Winery in the South Okanagan.