More provincial, federal support needed after cold snap devastated vines, say B.C. winemakers

B.C. winemakers are urging both the federal and provincial governments to provide additional support to help mitigate financial losses caused by a severe cold snap in the province last winter, which they say devastated vines.

At a press conference at Spearhead Winery in Kelowna, B.C., industry representatives gathered to highlight the impact that December’s freeze — which saw temperatures in the Okanagan plummet to -30 C — had on vineyards, harvests, revenues and jobs.

According to Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC), the cold snap’s repercussions could result in a 39- to 56-per-cent reduction of this year’s grape and wine production, leading to direct revenue losses of about $133 million for B.C.’s wine industry.

While the

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