Licensing requirement changes announced to help B.C. wine industry
Global News
Land-based wineries that experienced crop failure are exempt from producing the minimum requirement in 2024.
Changes are being made to help wineries experiencing devastating crop losses.
The Penticton Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the provincial government back in February, calling for changes to manufacturing and licensing requirements after an extreme cold snap decimated the wine industry.
“It wasn’t until just a few days ago that we started receiving confirmation and hearing that this would be coming down the pike.”
This year, land-based wineries that experienced crop failure are exempt from producing the minimum 4500 litres of their own wine on site in order to keep their licence.
On top of that, wineries will have the option of applying for a one-year exemption to using 25 per cent of product from one’s own land in B.C., if a land-based winery anticipates difficulty in meeting this requirement.
“That would be massive. Without the licence they can’t sell. Without being able to sell the product, they have no revenue and without revenue, that’s the worst thing for business habits and that would be insolvency,” said Magnusson.
“To see them maintain the revenue streams to see them maintain employment for the tasting rooms, that’s very, very welcomed news and will hopefully be part of a number of measures that will be needed to get our land-based wineries through this latest challenge for sure.”
Like many wineries most of the vines at Le Vieux Pin Winery in Oliver were damaged by recent extreme weather events.
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