Although recent economic turmoil has forced some consumers to reduce spending, B.C.’s wine industry has continued to flourish.
The number of planted wine grapes in the province has increased 8.7% to 9,867 acres compared with 2008, according to the B.C. Wine Institute’s latest wine grape acreage report.
Although the increase in acreages is lower than initially projected, the institute said Friday that the number of plantings has climbed in all five designated viticultural areas, as well as several regions outside of the province’s traditional wine-producing areas.
“The overall grape acreage was limited in growth somewhat over the past three years due to a number of factors, including re-plants of existing vineyards to new varieties,” said Lynn Bremmer of Mount Kobau Wine Sevices.
The number of vineyards in all of B.C.’s designated viticultural areas has jumped 5% since 2008, while significant growth has happened on Vancouver Island, which saw a 24.3% increase in the number of vineyards, and the Similkameen Valley, which was up 19.2%.
The Wine Institute also noted that vineyards are popping up in the Shuswap/Spallumcheen region, as well as the Kootenays, Lillooet, Lytton and Kamloops.
“Any new industry entrant, as well as existing producers, would be well advised to consider carefully the survey data and findings before putting in any new vineyard or winery,” commented Manfred Freese, president of the BC Grapegrowers’ Association.
The top three varieties of grapes planted in B.C.’s 864 vineyards are Merlot, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
Joel McKay
Twitter:jmckaybiv