BC Wine Institute Welcomes New Board of Directors and Awards Industry Leaders at its 2019 AGM

Following another successful Annual General Meeting (July 9, 2019 at the Manteo Resort, Kelowna) that brought together winery owners and representatives from across BC, the BC Wine Institute (BCWI) is pleased to announce its new Board of Directors.

Nine voting BCWI Directors represent all British Columbia wineries. Newly elected or re-elected members of the Board of Directors are:

Dapinder Gill, Kismet Estate Winery (new)

Leo Gebert, St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery

David Wilson, Mark Anthony Group

Continuing their directorships are Chair Christa-Lee McWatters (Encore Vineyards), Vice Chair Ezra Cipes (Summerhill Pyramid Winery), Charlie Baessler (Corcelettes Estate Winery), Greg Berti (Andrew Peller), Erik Fisher (Monte Creek Ranch Winery), and Josie Tyabji (Arterra Wines Canada). BC Grapegrowers’ Association representative David Kozuki and BCWI President & CEO Miles Prodan continue as ex officio non-voting members.

“It has been a busy year in the BC wine industry, and we appreciate the time commitment and dedication of our volunteer Board of Directors and committee members,” notes Prodan. “We look forward to working with our newly appointed Board member Dapinder Gill and continuing Board members, including BCWI Chair Christa-Lee McWatters, to evolve the BC wine industry and take the vision of our member wineries and the BC wine industry’s WineBC2030 Long-Term Strategic Plan to the next level.”

The BCWI would also like to thank outgoing Director Tony Holler (Poplar Grove Winery) and Independent Director Douglas Friend for their contributions to the Board during their terms.

In the evening, the BCWI welcomed keynote speaker Provincial Agriculture Minister Lana Popham to the 2019 BC Wine Industry Awards, which recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to support and enhance British Columbia’s grape wine industry.

BCWI Chair Christa-Lee McWatters presented the BCWI Industry Recognition Award to two recipients in gratitude of their respective many years of outstanding contribution to the British Columbia wine industry. Jeffrey Thomas, Chair of the BC Wine Authority for 10 years, and Darrell Jones, President of Save-On-Foods were each honoured with the BCWI Industry Recognition Award.

The BCWI Award of Distinction was presented to Richard Cleave and Robert Goltz of R & R Management, in recognition of their outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the advancement of the British Columbia wine industry.

“Richard and Robert have been fundamental in planting and farming most of the premium vineyard sites and production methods for grape farmers post free trade agreement in 1990,” said BCWI President & CEO Miles Prodan. “Together they have more than 45 years of grapegrowing experience and are two of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in the province.”

About British Columbia Wine Institute:

Since 1990, the BC Wine Institute has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally-recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences. The BC Wine Institute markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $2.8 billion in provincial economic growth annually.

The BC Wine Institute represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia, while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product – currently drawing 1,000,000 visitors with $600 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact every year. For more information about BC Wine Institute’s programs and services, please visit: WineBC.com.

For details on BC VQA Wine and the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com, like the Wines of British Columbia Facebook page and follow @WineBCdotcom on Twitter.

Media release and image provided by Laura Kittmer, British Columbia Wine Institute. Feature image: British Columbia Wine Institute Board of Directors (Back Row L-R: David Kozuki (BC Grapegrowers’ Association), David Wilson (Mark Anthony Group), Charlie Baessler (Corcelettes Estate Winery), Chair Christa-Lee McWatters (Encore Vineyards), Miles Prodan (BC Wine Institute), Leo Gebert (St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery) and Ezra Cipes (Summerhill Pyramid Winery). Front Row L-R: Erik Fisher (Monte Creek Ranch Winery), Dapinder Gill (Kismet Estate Winery), Josie Tyabji (Arterra Wines Canada) and Greg Berti (Andrew Peller).

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