Canada and B.C. fund study for Wine Centre of Excellence – B.C. Wine Month

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

April 19, 2018 – Victoria, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture

B.C.'s wine-makers, grape growers and tourism operators are taking a step towards the establishment of a learning centre geared to their specific needs, thanks to a federally and provincially funded feasibility study for a BC Wine Centre of Excellence.

The vision is that a BC Wine Centre of Excellence would exist as a platform for wine and tourism education for B.C.'s wine industry, while helping visitors learn more about our unique wine-growing regions, as well as the wine-making process. It would link B.C.'s wine industry with the tourism industry, as well as post-secondary institutions.

With $75,000 in cost-shared funding from the governments of Canada and B.C., the two-phased feasibility study being led by an industry advisory committee will provide in-depth research on existing international wine Centres of Excellence, providing a catalogue of business models, best practices and other relevant considerations with respect to the development and ongoing operations of such a centre.

The feasibility study will also involve stakeholder engagement with wineries throughout B.C. to determine the feasibility and scope of a BC Wine Centre of Excellence. It is anticipated that both phases of the feasibility study will be completed by the summer of 2018.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to support our wine industry's growth and competitiveness. The development of a learning centre will help strengthen the industry by exhibiting the significance of Canadian grape-growing, processing and agri-tourism."
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"B.C.'s wine industry is made up of family-run vineyards and wineries that have chosen farming and wine-making as their passion and profession. The sector has a great story to tell and the commitment announced today is building the momentum for a location that will showcase and celebrate B.C. wine and tourism."
- Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Agriculture

"As the B.C. wine industry undertakes development of a long-term vision and strategy for our industry, a wine centre of excellence has the opportunity of playing a major role of ensuring the viability and longevity of our industry."
- Miles Prodan, President and CEO, BC Wine Institute

"This Wine Centre of Excellence provides an incredible opportunity to leverage the diverse talent supporting the wine industry, ensuring future success and continued growth within a highly competitive marketplace - whether it be developing tourism experiences to marketing B.C. wine internationally."
- Jonathan Rouse, Director of Food, Wine and Tourism and Associate Dean, Okanagan School of Business

Quick facts

  • The $25,000 funding towards phase 1 of the feasibility study for the development of a BC Wine Centre of Excellence comes from Growing Forward 2 and $50,000 for phase 2 under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

  • The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership, launched on April 1st, includes $2 billion in cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories, and $1 billion for federal programs and services.

  • The Canadian Agricultural Partnership replaces Growing Forward 2, the five-year federal-provincial agreement that ended on March 31, 2018.

  • The Province has previously committed $100,000 to the BC Wine Institute to help in the promotion of B.C. wine to British Columbians, as part of April's B.C. Wine Month campaign.

  • April's B.C. Wine Month campaign is showcasing the world-class wines that are produced in our province. British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) wine is being featured in all BC Liquor Stores, and sommeliers and chefs are teaming up for wine and food-pairing events in BC VQA wine stores.

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Contacts

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
media.relations@agr.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
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Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250-356-7098

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