Buyers across the province will soon be able to pick up a bottle of wine marked as from the Cowichan Valley thanks to a new sub-geographical designation now officially being recognized under B.C. law.
鈥淥fficially recognizing the Cowichan Valley as a distinct and unique wine grape-growing region in B.C. is a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the many local entrepreneurs and staff in the wine industry,鈥� said Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley. 鈥淭his is a well-deserved accomplishment for all those involved in producing exceptional wines and memorable winery experiences.鈥�
According to a press release issued Friday morning, 鈥渄efining geographic zones on wine labels connects consumers with the unique geographic area the grapes are grown and the wine is made in and increases exposure to the region for both wine and tourism businesses.鈥�
The Cowichan Valley sub-GI is roughly defined as the area between the Cowichan watershed, the eastern coastline from Mill Bay to Maple Bay and the western area of Cowichan Lake.
鈥淭he Cowichan is home to family-owned and operated wineries and grape growers who have been part of the valley for generations,鈥� said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. 鈥淭hey take pride in the wines they produce and recognizing their hard work, skills and growing reputation on the B.C. and international stage is overdue. They make great wine in the Cowichan from the grapes grown in the valley, and the designation both respects and promotes that.鈥�
The Cowichan Valley has the honour of being the first sub-GI outside of the Okanagan and joins the Golden Mile Bench, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls and Skaha Bench in the Okanagan Valley.
鈥淭he newly announced Cowichan Valley sub-GI recognizes our unique terroir and solidifies Vancouver Island鈥檚 position as an up-and-coming wine destination,鈥� said Blue Grouse Estate Winery owner Paul Brunner. 鈥淏ailey Williamson, Blue Grouse鈥檚 winemaker, led the initiative, but it would not have been possible without the enthusiastic co-operation of every winery and grape grower in the valley. We are proud to be part of such a cohesive group of wine lovers and look forward to being part of an exciting future.鈥�
Tourism Cowichan鈥檚 Jill Nessell said now Cowichan can rightfully recognized as a top-quality wine-producing region.
鈥淲ine enthusiasts can now add Cowichan as an area to explore wines produced with this unique terroir. While the award-winning wines and beautiful vineyards draw thousands of visitors to Cowichan every year, it is the extraordinary people behind the wines that create memorable wine-tasting and tour experiences for locals and visitors from across the globe,鈥� she said.
It鈥檚 about time Cowichan is recognized for its efforts, said Miles Prodan, president of the BC Wine Institute.
鈥淗aving Cowichan Valley officially recognized as a distinct and unique wine grape growing region in B.C. is testament to the maturity of the wine growers and producers in the region,鈥� he said. 鈥淭o put it simply, when you now see Vancouver Island, Cowichan Valley, BC VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) on a bottle, it is your guarantee that you鈥檙e sipping a wine that is 100% grown and made in this particular terroir of British Columbia.鈥�
