The B.C. government is ramping up its support for the wine industry in response to Alberta’s boycott of B.C. wines by declaring April “B.C. Wine Month.”
The month-long initiative will include a special month-long promotion at all public liquor stores.
"We are grateful for the loyalty and support we have received from the consumers across B.C. and Canada in response to Alberta's announcement to boycott B.C. wine," said Miles Prodan, president and CEO of the BC Wine Institute.
"We appreciate the Province's quick response in support of B.C.'s wineries, and we remain resolute in our mission to secure sales opportunities here in B.C. for the many B.C. grape wineries across the province, most of which are small, family-owned-and-operated businesses, and will continue to promote our local world-class products at home and abroad."
In addition to the proclamation, the B.C. government plans on rolling out some other initiatives to support the industry.
There will be increased opportunities to have B.C. wines in local BC Liquor Stores, including local wines from small and medium producers that are not typically available outside of the wineries, as well as a greater variety of in-store tastings of B.C. wines.
Funding will also be available for an expansion of the Buy BC: Eat Drink Local campaign, to further develop partnerships between the BC Wine Institute and the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Services Association., and funding to support the marketing of BC VQA wines to new international markets.
B.C.’s wine industry employs 12,000 people and has an economic impact of $2.8 billion annually.
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