Fall 2024 Webinar – Regulatory Roadmap for Importing Grapes by British Columbia Wineries: First Mover Experiences

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AIDV Canada, with the support of AIDV U.S. Section, is pleased to present a Fall 2024 webinar offering the account of first movers in British Columbia and Washington State, with a focus on the regulatory and business process of importing grapes.

Their experiences to date can offer a roadmap for winery and vineyard operators and their advisors on both sides of the Canada-US border. Such a roadmap is not specific to Washington State and British Columbia, but rather can be adapted for future cross-border (bi-directional) sale of grapes or juice between North American wine regions.

Title: Regulatory Roadmap for Importing Grapes by British Columbia Wineries: First Mover Experiences

Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Time: 9:30 am PDT / 12:30 pm EDT / 6:30 pm CET

Duration: 90 minutes

Registration: please click here

Cost: Free for AIDV members, C$25 + tax for non-members

Overview:

British Columbia wineries hard-hit by two successive years of severely curtailed grape production have turned to alternate wine regions to supply grapes for the 2024 harvest. The alternate sources of production are intended to bridge them through the next few years while grapevines recover (or mature, in the case of replanted vineyards), to retain valued staff, and to remain viable businesses.

Accompanying this novel business / survival strategy are provincial and federal regulations and policies governing wine production and sale. Regulations designed for normal times are proving unhelpful in times requiring quick decision-making and innovation.  Nevertheless, absent clarity on multiple facets of licensing, markup structure, appellation/geographic indication identification, and taxation, some “first mover” B.C. wineries have looked south of the border and are securing purchase contracts with growers in Washington State to import grapes or juice for the 2024 harvest.

 

Speakers:

  • Ron Kubek, Owner, Lightning Rock Winery, Summerland, B.C.
  • Craig Pacheco, Founder, Vin-Star Consulting, Seattle, Washington
  • Megan O’Neill, Associate, Farris LLP, Vancouver, B.C.
  • Colleen Frei, Executive Director, Washington Winegrowers Association, Cashmere, WA
  • Laurie Macdonald, Executive Director, Ontario Wine Appellation Authority, Toronto, ON
  • Moderator: Karen Graham, Principal, WineDrops & Vice President, AIDV Canada

Attendance link will be sent to registrants the day prior to the webinar.

 

Continuing Professional Legal Development Credits:

British Columbia, 1.5 hours, course no. AIDV2024-3
Self-reporting in Ontario and Québec.