2019 Orchard & Vine Wine Survey

We surveyed wine producers in the Okanagan Valley to get a snapshot of the industry. Our thanks to the many producers who passed on their knowledge about the most successful varietals, new trends in winemaking, and the how you feel about changes to the ALR.

Trends

Wine in a can is a growing trend in the U.S. and overseas, and expected to catch on in Canada. Do you sell wine in a can?

90% SAY NO • 10% SAY MAYBE IN THE FUTURE

Is Orange the new Rosé?

Rosé has increased in popularity in the last few years. Have you added any new types of wine or any new blends to meet consumer demand?

54% SAY NO • 42% SAY YES

In response to increased demand our readers have added different types of Rosé: Syrah Rosé, Fizzante Rosé, Pinot Rosé, GSM Rosé, Cabernet Franc Rosé, Malbec Rosé. Other popular wines mentioned were Sparkling Natural Wines and Orange wines, Orange Vidal, Pinot/Gamay blend.

Changes to ALC Bill 15 & 52

Bill 15: makes it harder for farmers to have value added operations and sell directly to the public as farm-to-table enterprises. Reverts to a more centralized commission as opposed to six regional panels, exclusions for ALR to be submitted to the ALC by local governments, First Nations or the province instead of by landowners. Are you in favour or against?

61% Against the changes

30% No Comment

9% in Favour

Bill 52: removes the ability for an ALR owner to have a secondary, non-farm use modular dwelling for immediate family. Are you in favour or against the change?

57% Against the changes

23% No Comment

20% in Favour

Comments

This change should differentiate between the location and the total acreage of production on the lot. This law is meant to forgo misuse of farmland, which is applicable more in certain areas in the province (Lower Mainland mainly).

Yes I am near retiring age and would like to live on the farm.

I am against it, as it can provide a secondary income for farmers and be beneficial especially towards retirement.

Hoping at retirement to have a small place to live and allow one of our children to have our home with us nearby to help.

Tell us about your Winery...

91% Have a Tasting Room

67% Have a Picnic Area

30% Have a Restaurant

11% Have Entertainment: concerts, live music or special events

9% Have a separate room or area for your wine club or group tours

3% Have a Food Truck on site

Comments

  • Lots of visitors from Washington state with the lower dollar.
  • I’ve focused on international brand building for the last eight years and it’s really had a positive reciprocal effect on visits to our winery.
  • Many visitors from the UK this year.

Mostly BC and Alberta.

Did smoke damage from 2018 continue to hurt visits?

  • We do think smoke affected traffic through our valley this year. However this year the lack of fires had people coming later into the season, which was great.
  • Yes, last year's smoke affected the visitors to the area. As soon as there is mention of fire in the area customers remember previous years and cancel reservations. Media coverage scares people away. Although we need to let people know what is going on it should be on lower key, not make it look so dramatic. We still need to do business.
  • YES! I think every smoke year scares people and we lose a big share of tourism sales.
  • No, I don't. We expect to see continued growth. Local festivals work in our favor.
  • Yes smoke was a fear, also cooler temperatures in general.
  • This was a good year for visitors and for us to show off our region.
  • Yes. Travellers definitely waited to book their vacations at the last minute rather than prebooking.
  • Smoke from last year affected tourist visits overall but visits to our winery and sales were actually up due to the popularity of our wine and return customers.
  • Or was it politics?
  • Yes, I think smoke affected visits, but also politics (Alberta/BC) and economics. I think it will be different next year.
  • Hard to say but a definite possibility. Alberta/BC political issues could be reason or Alberta's economic downturn.