Provincial policies changing to improve winery visitor experience

Some changes to winery and liquor-manufacturer tours are coming to BC in time for the summer.

Responding to feedback from the industry, the provincial government is making the following changes:

• allowing people to sit and enjoy samples while on a guided tour;
• allowing packaged liquor sales in more places on site, including tours;
• allowing more flexibility around sampling so liquor manufacturers can customize sampling experiences for visitors; and
• allowing manufacturers to sell and promote their products in picnic areas and host visitors more effectively.

“Fruit and mead wineries appreciate the work done to allow for a better, more seamless visitor experience at our wineries,” Pat Bell, the owner of the Northern Lights Estate Winery and chair of the New Wave Wine Society, said in a news release.

“Each of our wineries host thousands of visitors each year and creating flexibility in the delivery of our services will continue to build the experience fruit and mead wineries want to deliver.”

“Recent years have been difficult for wineries and tourism across the province, and we are taking action to support these valuable businesses,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “The changes we are making will create better experiences for visitors of wineries and liquor manufacturers across the province, helping them – and all of B.C. – to be a more competitive and desirable destination for visitors.”

You can learn more about these changes here.