Prunings
everal B.C. wine industry pioneerswere recognized this past summer among the vines at an al fresco dinner at CedarCreek Estate Winery by the Canadian Vintners’ Association and the B.C. Wine Institute. CVA chairman Tony Stewart of Quails’ Gate Estate Winery in West Kelowna noted that George and Trudy Heiss of Gray Monk Estate Winery have gone above and beyond in the Canadian wine industry in the decades since planting their first vine in Lake Country in 1972. It is B.C.’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. As Stewart presented the Award of Distinction, he commented, “They are trail blazers and can be credited with bringing many high quality vinifera vines to Canada, as well as helping establish the Vintners Quality Alliance.” Their winery is still run by the couple and their family with the same passion for the industry they showed when they began, he added. The award was received on their behalf by son Bob Heiss, operations manager at the winery. It is the highest form of peer recognition and appreciation of outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the advancement of the Canadian wine industry. The Wine Industry Champion Award was presented to Dean Allison, MP for Niagara West- Glanbrook riding in Ontario, recognizing his support for the industry and contributions to the overall strength and long- term viability of the industry. He championed the excise duty exemption on 100 per cent Canadian wine in 2006, as well as serving as a strong supporter of the industry on Parliament Hill.
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Fitzpatrick recalled the depths of the B.C. industry in 1988, when it looked like it was nearly finished, and how it pulled itself together, replanting to premium viniferas and winning awards on the world stage. “I’m not receiving this award for me, but for those who continue to pursue the vision to see our wines on the world stage.” Earlier this year, the Fitzpatrick family sold the winery to von Mandl Family Estates, a new holding company of Anthony von Mandl, owner of Mission Hill Family Estate Winery in West Kelowna. The Fitzpatricks continue to own and operate the Greata Ranch Winery south of Peachland. Mission Hill’s Martin Lane Winery will make its home at CedarCreek, with the pinot noir and Riesling vintages to be made there this fall...
Bob Heiss
Two eminent scientists have been appointed to the board of Summerland Varieties Corporation (SVC). Frank Kappel, retired cherry breeder, and Norman Looney, scientist emeritus, both of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, were appointed in
At the same event, the BCWI Recognition Award was presented to Kelowna’s CedarCreek Estate Winery founder, Ross Fitzpatrick, by BCWI chair Josie Tyabji of Constellation Brands, for his leadership, which helped to shape the industry of today. Retired now, Fitzpatrick was a senator who lobbied in Ottawa for the industry. His winery was twice named Canadian Winery of the Year. Fitzpatrick purchased it as Uniacke (one of the province’s pioneer wineries) in 1986, and his family roots are in the Okanagan’s agriculture industry. In receiving the award,
Ross Fitzpatrick
August by the sole SVC shareholder, the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association. SVC, formerly the Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation, or PICO, is agent for some of the most successful varieties in the world, including the Ambrosia apple and Staccato cherry. SVC is also agent for promising new varieties such as the Salish apple (released in 2012) and the Sentennial cherry varieties. “I am very pleased to have the interest and efforts of two of the top plant breeding horticultural scientists in Canada on the board of Summerland Varieties Corporation,” said BCFGA president Fred Steele. “These appointments demonstrate the bond between the national cherry and apple breeding programs at Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada, and the new tree fruit variety development efforts of SVC.” Steele also recognized the contribution of outgoing director Gordon Neish, who served six years as SVC director. “Gordon Neish was instrumental in establishing SVC as a leader in plant breeder rights for tree fruits, nationally and internationally.” Several fruit industry projects are getting a share of more than $1.4 million in funding under the federal-
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2014
provincial Growing Forward 2 agreement to support innovation in B.C.’s agri-food industry. The latest batch of grants includes: • $46,451 to BX Press Inc. of Vernon for a project that will demonstrate that adding hard cider and blended cider to an orchard operation will provide farmers a true value-added opportunity with strong market demand.
• $39,050 to Merridale Ciderworks Corp. of Cobble Hill for a project that will use available B.C. agricultural products to create new world-class spirits, and then develop and expand the market, focusing on historical craft distilling methods. • $6,006 to Calissi Farms Inc.of Kelowna to learn about new advancements in European tree fruit nursery technology, and to gain supply- and-demand outlook for dwarf apple rootstock. Also, Calissi Farms will visit several apple-breeding programs and gain commercial licences to bring new varieties to Canada.
A total of 17 projects are receiving funds from the program, which is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. Others include commercializing a system that uses dry processing technology to create food products from fruits and vegetables not sold as fresh or frozen products; development of a specialized transfer tool to improve the success rate and accessibility of embryo transfers for commercial cattle operations and other agricultural applications, and field testing several new bio-herbicides for weed control in cranberries...
The CanadaGAP board, in consultation with its stakeholder advisory committee, says a significant change to the program will take effect in 2015. Starting April 1, CanadaGAP auditors will be looking for assurance that packing, repacking, storage and wholesale operations seeking CanadaGAP certification have obtained their product from suppliers that are also certified to CanadaGAP or to another industry-recognized third party food safety audit/certification. “The time is right for this change,” noted board chair Jack Bates. “The board is unanimous in seeing this as the next logical step to maintain the rigor and integrity that has come to be associated with CanadaGAP certification.” The next CanadaGAP manuals and checklist will reflect these revisions...
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