'Crafted in BC' wines made with American grapes will be allowed in BC Liquor Stores

There's some irony here.

All US wine and liquor has been yanked from BC Liquor store shelves in tit-for-tat retaliation to Trump tariffs.

Yet, a new 'Crafted in BC' category of wine, that's likely made of 100% American grapes, will be welcomed in BC Liquor Stores as soon as next month.

Okanagan wineries, with special permission from the BC government, were allowed to source grapes and-or juice from out of province (meaning Washington state, Oregon, California and-or Ontario) to make 2024 vintage wines.

Local wineries needed the grapes and juice because the cold snap in January 2024 decimated grape buds and led to next to no grape harvest in the fall.

The resulting wines have already been made at Okanagan wineries, many of them are now being bottled for release and sale starting April 1.

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"We applaud the BC government's move to remove US wine from BC Liquor Store shelves," said Paul Sawler, chair of Wine Growers BC.

"This decision puts the interests of BC's wine industry front and centre. It's particularly important as our wineries are still recovering from the devastating cold snap of January 2024, which caused significant damage to our vineyards. This extra shelf space is vital for our local producers to regain lost ground and rebuild their business."

With US wines -- especially those from California -- no longer for sale at BC Liquor stores, it will force some consumers to reach for different bottles.

Those bottles may be wines made of 100% BC grapes, those from the new 'Crafted in BC' category, those from the long-established 'Cellared in BC' category (wines made by BC companies of domestic and international grapes and-or juice) and-or wines from a myriad of other countries from France, Italy, Spain and South Africa to Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

"We are seeing increased demand for BC wines," said Mark Sheridan, president of Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver.

"By removing US wine from the shelves, BC Liquor Stores can provide local BC wineries with a fair opportunity to meet demand and recover from challenges of the past year. This is a critical moment for our industry, and this decision meaningfully supports both our producers and the local economy. Thank you Premier Eby for putting Team Canada first."

'Crafted in BC' isn't a designation or certification, but a messaging approach to categorize wine made by BC winemakers at BC wineries of grapes or juice from outside the province.

"'Crafted in BC' wines are made by the same skilled hands as BC VQA wines, ensuring that the high standards of quality and craftsmanship are maintained," said Sawler.

"This measure has allowed wineries to not only keep their doors open and staff employed, but also the opportunity to challenge our talented BC winemaking teams to think outside their own vineyards."

'Crafted in BC' wines will join 'Cellared in BC' (wines made by Canadian companies of domestic and imported grapes and-or juices), 100% BC wines from past vintages and wines from other countries (just not the US) on BC Liquor Store shelves.

So, there's lots of wine choices at all price points for consumers.

After this, BC wineries are expected to again concentrate on 100% BC grape wines when there's supply again.

Besides pulling all US products from its shelves, BC Liquor Stores have also stopped importing US wine and liquor.

However, through its wholesale distribution branch, BC Liquor Stores will continue to sell existing inventories of US wine and liquor to private liquor stores, restaurants, bars and pubs until it runs out.

The BC wine industry, which includes 330 wineries and over 11,000 acres of vineyards, generates $3.75 billion a year in economic activity and employs 14,000 workers.

Wine is also a tourism draw, bringing 1.1 million visitors to the province annually who spend $452 million and support 2,615 more jobs in tourism.