BC wines have come a long and storied way in 20 years. With the launch of the Vintner’s Quality Alliance standards in 1990, when the business was still in flux from the GATT treaty from 2 years prior resulting in a massive replanting, the stage was ceremoniously set for BC’s fledgling wine industry to embark on the formidable quest to produce high-quality wine.
^ The pioneering days - present: Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer 1985-1988 and Pinnacle sparkling wine.
After a short period of rapid growth and development, the industry’s quality gambit started to pay off big. First with Mission Hill’s 1992 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, which earned a coveted gold medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London in 1994, and more recently with Jackson Triggs 2004 Grand Reserve Shiraz taking home the category gold at the same competition in 2006; two significant accolades that helped change the negative perception of not only BC wine, but also a big boost for Canada’s reputation as a wine growing country.
^ Cedar Creek's Gordon Fitzpatrick with a bottle of his multi-award winning 2002 Platinum Reserve Meritage
In 20 short years, the number of wineries in BC has exploded. In 1990, there were only 17 wineries and now there are over 170, with overall wine growing land development jumping from 1,476 planted acres to over 9,000. There are 60+ varietals currently being produced in over 710 separate vineyards with an annual sales of BC VQA now surpassing $166 million.
Some more stats from the BC Wine Institute:
TOP TEN WHITE VARIETALS
Pinot Gris Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Blanc, Riesling Viognier Ehrenfelser Semillon BacchusTOP TEN RED VARIETALS:
Merlot Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah (Shiraz) Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir Marechal Foch Malbec Petit Verdot ZweigeltGROWTH IN NUMBER OF WINERIES:
2009 170+
2008 156
2007 134
2006 131
2005 119
2004 102
2003 87
2000 60
1995 32
1990 17
Cheers to another successful 20 years!
~ PK
