B.C. vineyards asking wine lovers to buy local during COVID-19 crisis

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KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) — There’s no more important time than now to buy local.

That’s what B.C. Wine Institute President and CEO Miles Prodan says as more than 175 wineries still try to celebrate what was supposed to be B.C. Wine Month.


“Make no mistake, the COVID-19 crisis is impacting the wine industry. There are grapes and vines that need to be tended. Where we know that there are going to be delays in hiring is in the tasting rooms, so there are certainly going to be layoffs –and have been layoffs– in the wine industry here in B.C.,” he says.

While tasting rooms are now closed, Prodan says you can still visit most wineries.

“Some of them are offering curbside service. You don’t have to get out of the car and the whole thing can be done that way and so, people are still continuing to do that. We’ve developed a page on our website at winebc.com that specifically details some of the special offerings B.C. wineries are providing to their customers.”

With more than 12,000 people currently working at 929 vineyards across the province, he adds there’s no doubt some of those people will lose their jobs the longer this pandemic lasts.

“To grow grapes, you need a farm and so, it is as much about farming as it is anything else, so it’s always been important, but especially in these times, when we look to it, we’ve got to deal with the crisis, buying local and supporting local is as important as ever.”

Prodan tells NEWS 1130 April also marks five years since Save-On Foods has been allowed to sell B.C. wine at 21 stores across the province.

More information is available here.

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