Pyramid Winery, said the vote is transformational for the industry. The next step is up to the provincial government, but Cipes feels it’s likely the recommendations would be implemented in different phases, likely beginning with establishment of Geographical Indications and Sub-GIs. Further consultation with industry is
also likely, he believes, and he’s hopeful there will be changes to how the taste panels work.
Cipes noted that the government is not required to follow all the recommendations, although he expects the agriculture ministry would respect the industry’s vote. The only question which was not approved by the required double majority saw the industry vote for a strengthened VQA program, by rejecting use of Geographical Indications on anything but B.C. VQA wine, although it was agreed that instead of Wines of Distinction, B.C. wines generally should be labelled just that—B.C. Wine.
There was approval of establishing a system of Sub-Geographical Indications but only approved ones would be permitted on labels. There was also approval for a flat membership fee in the BCWA for small wineries. At present it doesn’t matter if you apply for VQA certification for a batch of 50,000 cases or 50 cases, the same fee applies.
The vote included all 252 licensed wineries in the province, 174 of which are members of the BCWA. Only 44 non-member wineries participated in the vote, while 136 member wineries voted. Those voting represented 90 per cent of the quantity of wine produced from B.C. grapes. Although no one in the ministry would answer questions on the plebiscite directly, the following statement was released: “The Ministry of Agriculture is reviewing the plebiscite results to see where there are areas with broad support across industry that we can move on in the near future. Other recommendations that had mixed results will require further consideration and discussions with industry. The B.C. government remains committed to working with the B.C. winemakers to help create more successes, locally and around the world, and these conversations are part of that process.”
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2016 7
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