British Columbia Wine Institute Excited to Announce New Name

The British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI), the voice of the B.C. wine industry, is proud to announce that we have changed our name to Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) to better reflect the value-add agriculture, agri-food and growth opportunities of this dynamic industry.

Following the lead of our national organization, recently renamed Wine Growers Canada (WGC), renaming ourselves as WGBC reflects our deep connection to the land, from the vineyard to the glass, and repositions the B.C. wine industry and WGBC as the high value agri-food product and economic growth generator we are.

“As farmers, winemakers, retailers and tourism operators, the B.C. wine industry is the highest value-add agricultural product in British Columbia, contributing more than $2.8 billion in annual economic impact,” says Miles Prodan, President and CEO, Wine Growers British Columbia. “Repositioning the organization as Wine Growers British Columbia is a significant step in keeping our industry moving forward and better reflects the B.C. wine industry as part of a complex value-added agri-food chain and not simply a beverage alcohol product.”

At the organization’s Annual General Meeting on September 1, 2020, the Board of Directors identified the importance of rebranding both the British Columbia Wine Institute and the B.C. wine industry to Wine Growers British Columbia to better align with other provincial and national associations. Organization members voted unanimously to make the change.

“The objective for the new name was to focus the provincial association image from simply representing the beverage alcohol sector to being identified as a socially responsible, value-add agricultural contributor, representing and supporting grapegrowers and wineries as part of a family farm network,” says Erik Fisher, Board Chair, Wine Growers British Columbia.

Wine Growers British Columbia continues to represent wineries across all nine wine growing regions of B.C. Our member wineries are responsible for almost 95 per cent of all grape wine produced in B.C. including 100 per cent certified B.C. wines. WGBC will continue to bring together our membership to market the wines and wine regions of B.C.; deliver quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and advocate to government on behalf of industry by working cooperatively with governments and stakeholders at all levels to find solutions that benefit B.C. wines and the communities in which we work and live.

“In British Columbia, more than 280 licensed grape wineries enhance the vibrancy and sustainability of our vineyards and agricultural communities which in turn supports more than 12,000 jobs and attracts more than a million tourists each year,” says Prodan. “We’re excited to continue representing and supporting grapegrowers and wineries as Wine Growers British Columbia, collaborating with government and industry to advance important initiatives that support key social and environmental areas along the entire farm-to-table value chain and foster the continued success of our industry.”

About Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) (formerly British Columbia Wine Institute):

Since 1990, WGBC has played a pivotal role in taking B.C.’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences.

WGBC markets the wine and regions of B.C.; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of B.C.’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $2.8 billion in provincial economic growth annually.

WGBC 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 Wine Growers British Columbia’s member programs and services, please visit WineBC.com.

For trade and industry news join the Wine Growers British Columbia LinkedIn page and follow @WineGrowersBC on Twitter.

Our Wines of British Columbia brand remains the same. Follow the Wines of British Columbia Facebook page and @WineBCdotcom on Twitter and Instagram.

Media release and image provided by Carie Jones, Wine Growers British Columbia.