B.C. wine growers report over 50 per cent loss in grape crops

A freezing cold snap in December 2022 has led to an over 50 per cent reduction in the grape crops used to make B.C. wine, growers are warning.

According to a report commissioned by the Wine Growers of British Columbia (WGBC), the cold snap was expected to cause a potential crop reduction of between 39 to 56 per cent.

Now that buds are beginning to sprout from vines in recent weeks, those forecasts are confirmed, with WGBC reporting a 54 per cent crop loss. It is expected to equate to a loss of $133 million in revenues for the sector.

Miles Prodan, the CEO of WGBC, says this will take a considerable chunk out of the province’s wine industry.

“They ultimately have half as much wine that can be made and sold, which means they’re going to be making half the money they were expecting to be made,” he told CityNews.

Prodan says people likely won’t notice the ramifications of the crop loss until next year when white wines hit the shelves in the spring and reds in the fall.

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He adds that crop losses are also expected to lead to a 20 per cent reduction in full-time vineyard and winery staff province-wide.

“The cost pressures are incredible, and we’re concerned that some of the smaller producers might be thinking of shutting their doors,” Prodan explained.

The added pressures, Prodan points out, will also have knock-on effects for entire regions of the province, such as the Okanagan, which has a notable wine tourism sector.

“If wineries are contemplating laying off staff and shutting down tasting rooms because they don’t have the wine to sell, that’s going to impact people coming to visit wine country which is going to impact hotels and restaurants,” he said.

Acknowledging that climate events are likely to continue in the years to come, Prodan says the industry would like to see more protections from the federal government to ensure the industry can stay afloat.

Despite the crop reduction, Prodan assures that aside from less availability, wine drinkers won’t notice any drastic changes.

“We’re very aware that our wine isn’t necessarily the most inexpensive … we’re not about to pass on these costs onto consumers,” he said.

B.C.’s wine industry is said to have an annual $3 billion economic impact on the province.