News

B.C. VQA wine sales on the rise

November 19, 20100

NOTE: The B.C. Wine Institute issued this press release about rising VQA sales in that province.
November 18, 2010 (Kelowna, BC) – Despite challenging economic times, sales of BC VQA wine have grown by over $40 million over the past 4 years!

BC VQA wines are the best selling premium category in BC, ahead of all other countries (imports), and behind only cellared-in-Canada non-VQA wines. Over the past year, we have increased the gap between BC VQA wines and our closest competitor, Australia. Sales are over $191 million (12 month rolling ended September 2010), an increase of 13.8% over the previous year. Although BC wines are now recognized around the world, the customer loyalty in our home province is the true testament to the quality of our wines.

We have seen great sales increases in the BC Liquor Stores and Licensee Retail Stores (LRS), and, last month, seven out of nineteen BC VQA wine stores throughout the province experienced their best October sales ever! Overall rolling 12 month sales (ended October 2010) at the BC VQA wine stores were 14% higher than last year.

BC VQA wine stores offer a vast selection of BC VQA wines ensuring that, no matter which bottle you buy, you are getting a 100% local product. This holiday season, it is easier than ever to drink local; with allocations of hard-to-find wines from over 110 wineries, there is a bottle for every palate. Visit www.winebc.com to find your local BC VQA wine store.

Locally, Discover Wines and the BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop in Kelowna, along with the BC Wine Information Centre in Penticton, all carry a vast selection of premium BC VQA wines!

The BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop officially opened in the newly renovated Laurel Packinghouse on November 5. Kelowna Museums Executive Director Wayne Wilson said that he “is thrilled to be open and offering a much wider selection. In our grand re-opening weekend [at the Laurel] we sold as much wine as we would in one week in the trailer.” The expanded BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop also has room for more displays to showcase the history of the BC wine industry and BC VQA. For more information, visit www.winebc.com.