By Dan Walton
The BC Liberals have made things easier for 15 wineries by giving them $456,193 to split up.
A $25,000 cut is going to Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. Other nearby beneficiaries include Robin Ridge Winery in Keremeos ($8,192.50); Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls ($7,677); and BC Wine Studio in Okanagan Falls ($7,337.75).
The money is supposed to be spent on promotional purposes as a stipulation of the Buy Local program.
“It certainly supplies that little bit of extra money you need to do the marketing when you’re launching something new and exciting,” said MLA Linda Larson, who announced the funding at Tinhorn Creek on Monday morning.
“Congratulations to you and the rest of the recipients.”
At Tinhorn Creek, the funds are going towards the launch of “a completely different kind of innovation wine; wines that aren’t traditionally made in the valley,” according to sales and marketing manager Jan Nelson.
“Innovation and experimentation is what drives industry forward and prompts improvements that benefit consumers and industry alike,” he said. “Although experimentation occurs in many wineries, the lack of scale of these micro projects often means the resulting wine gets blended away, and the findings go on to influence future winemaking decisions.”
The money made its way to the wineries after trickling down through a number of plans and programs. The Buy Local program is one leg of the Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan, which aims to grow domestic markets and maintain a secure food supply. And then that plan is part of the larger BC Jobs Plan, which is trying to help the province’s agri-sector generate $15 billion per year by 2020.
“With the support of the Buy Local program, Tinhorn Creek was able to develop a program focusing on innovation in our vineyards and cellars, and then packaging these micro-lot wines for the enjoyment of our consumers,” said Nelson. “These wines will also be shared with media and influencers in order to promote awareness and help advance the reputation of the B.C. wine industry as a world-class wine growing region.”
Tinhorn Creek is using the money to develop an attractive new brand concept and design, promote it in wine and lifestyle magazines, as well as host the media and trade representatives for tasting events.
