Measures to support B.C. wine industry extended

Sep 23, 2025 | 11:18 AM

Provincial supports for wineries still recovering from the flash freeze in January of 2024 are being maintained.

The freeze caused widespread damage to vineyards across B.C., including in the Okanagan, and the province responded by bringing in temporary vintage replacement supports to supplement the grape supply.

Wine Growers B.C. and the B.C. Grapegrowers’ Association said those measures have been extended through the end of the 2025 production year, allowing eligible wineries to access grape and juice from outside the province to help supplement this year’s stock.

“Last year’s freeze was the most devastating event to hit B.C. vineyards in decade. While 2025 gave us a strong harvest, it’s simply not enough to meet the scale of pre-freeze demand,” Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham said in a release.

“We’re stepping up for one more year to ensure B.C.’s wine industry has the stability they need to recover fully, protect jobs, and continue producing the high-quality wines British Columbia is known for.”

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The Wine Growers and Grapegrowers’ both applauded the extension of the program, saying in a release that the province was an estimated 10,000 tonnes short of the wine grapes required to meet the market demand for 2025.

“This extension is a vital bridge from last year’s crisis toward a sustainable future for B.C. wine. Without this support, we’ve heard directly from wineries who were days away from having to lay off staff. That’s how real the pressure is,” Jeff Guignard, President and CEO of Wine Growers B.C., stated.

“WGBC will always promote B.C. grapes first, and we remain relentlessly committed to the integrity and quality of BC VQA wines — now and in the future. Even with temporary supports extended, we’re still working to ensure industry looks local first so that every B.C. grape ends up on a bottle.”

The agencies added these supports come as wineries across the province continue their work to replant vines and place those killed off in the freeze, though it will take time for them to mature and start producing viable grapes.

“B.C.’s grape growing industry needs one more year to get back to full strength,” Bobby Ercego, chair of the B.C. Grapegrowers’ Association, added.

“This extension gives everyone — growers and wineries alike — a better shot at surviving this transitional period and coming out stronger on the other side.”

The agencies added in the release that they would be working closely with their partners to ensure eligible wineries have the information and resources they need to access the supports and ensure they can deliver their products this year.

by Liam Verster

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