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“A vibrant showcase of “Crafted in BC” wines — produced with imported grapes but made entirely in British Columbia. From rosés and Rieslings to bold reds and elegant whites, these bottles represent the resilience of BC winemakers in the face of climate adversity.”
Introduction
In response to the devastating cold snap of January 2024 that wiped out up to 90% of British Columbia’s grape crop, the BC government introduced a temporary relief initiative: the Crafted in BC wine program. This stopgap measure allows local wineries to import grapes from outside the province while keeping winemaking, bottling, and branding operations within BC. Though controversial in some corners, the program is a lifeline to sustain vineyard businesses, wine professionals, and regional tourism until new vines and climate resilience strategies can take root.
Why the Program Was Created
The unprecedented winter kill severely impacted vineyards across the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. With many wineries facing the threat of closing tasting rooms or laying off staff, the BC government launched the program in July 2024 to help mitigate the economic fallout.
- Program Period: April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026
- Eligibility: Wines must be fermented, cellared, and bottled in BC
- Labelling Requirement: All wines made with imported grapes must bear the “Crafted in BC” designation
According to Wine Growers British Columbia, the local wine industry generates over $3.75 billion annually and supports more than 14,000 full-time jobs. Without access to grapes, many small wineries would have struggled to stay afloat.
Wineries Participating in “Crafted in BC”
Several prominent BC wineries have already released or are preparing to release wines under this designation. Many have created new series or labels to differentiate these wines from their traditional VQA lines.
Confirmed Wineries and Labels
- Hester Creek Estate Winery – Columbia Valley Series (Washington State grapes)
- Township 7 Vineyards & Winery – Interlude Series– Sourced grapes from Russian River Valley (California) and Washington State
- River Stone Estate Winery – Good Neighbour Series – Small-batch wines using WA fruit
- Dirty Laundry Vineyard – Participating in Crafted in BC for the 2024 vintage
- Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery – Vilicus Series releasing wines under a Crafted in BC label
- Solvero Wines – 2024 Solvero Rosé, made with Washington State grapes
- Winemaker’s CUT – Six wines released under the Crafted in BC category
- Black Market Wine Co. – 2024 Cinsault Rosé and 2024 Collusion Sauvignon Blanc. Rob Hammersley: “This rosé was inspired by a classic Provence style—elegant, bright, dry, and refreshingly crisp. The Cinsault we sourced comes from Coyote Canyon Vineyard in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA.”
- Fort Berens Estate Winery – 4,000 cases made with Washington grapes. From John Schreiner: “This is not a vintage we planned for, but we’re incredibly proud of the quality…”
- Orofino Vineyards – Washington Series – Vintage 2024: Chenin Blanc, Cinsault Rosé, Marsanne, and Roussanne
- Quails’ Gate Winery – Plume Collection: Pinot Gris, Rosé, Chardonnay (WA grapes)
- Tantalus Vineyards – 2024 Pinot Gris made with Oregon’s Willamette Valley fruit
- One Mill Road, Mayhem Wines, Meyer Family Vineyards – Early releases noted by John Schreiner
- Blast Church Vineyard– Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Andrews Family Vineyard in WA state, as noted by Karl (MyWinePal)
Where the Grapes Came From
The grapes in the Crafted in BC program are sourced primarily from premium growing regions across the western United States:
- Washington State – Especially Yakima Valley and Horse Heaven Hills
- Oregon – Notably for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
- California – Russian River Valley
Program Concerns from Winemakers
Some winemakers have voiced concerns about the short duration of the program relative to the winemaking cycle, especially for red wines that require extended barrel aging. Al Hudec and others have pointed out that the program may conclude before many reds are ready to release or sell.
- Label Clarity: Some consumers may be confused by the Crafted in BC label
- Timeline Misalignment: Reds crafted in 2024 may not reach market until 2026
Conclusion
The Crafted in BC initiative is an urgent yet thoughtful attempt to preserve BC’s wine culture during an unprecedented agricultural crisis. While not without its challenges, the program keeps cellars humming, tasting rooms open, and winery staff employed.
Stay tuned as BC Wine Trends continues to taste and review new releases from these wines and track how the program evolves.
All wines can be reviewed and photographed when released. If your winery has a “Crafted in BC release” not listed above, please get in touch via Instagram @bcwinetrends or email julian@bcwinetrends.com.
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