Agriculture & Economy: US Wineries Aid BC After Devastating Freeze

By Jenny Holly Hansen | WBN News | April 27, 2025

In an inspiring display of cross-border solidarity, wineries in Washington state have stepped up to support British Columbia’s wine industry following a catastrophic freeze that wiped out approximately 90% of the province’s grape crop in January 2024.

The unprecedented cold snap devastated vineyards across the Okanagan Valley and beyond, threatening the livelihood of winemakers and vineyard workers in one of Canada’s most celebrated wine regions. With bud damage, vine mortality, and a near-total crop loss, BC producers were left facing a year of significant financial strain.

In response, several wineries in Washington—particularly in the Columbia Valley, where growing conditions were less affected—offered surplus grapes to their Canadian counterparts. These contributions, coordinated through informal industry networks and regional wine associations, have allowed BC winemakers to maintain limited production, preserve market presence, and keep operations running.

“This kind of cooperation goes beyond business,” said one BC winemaker. “It’s a lifeline, and a reminder that our industry is built on relationships as much as terroir.”

The effort highlights the deeply interconnected nature of the Pacific Northwest’s agricultural economy, where climate challenges know no borders. It also underscores the resilience and adaptability of wine producers navigating increasingly volatile growing seasons—an issue many industry experts say is linked to climate change.

While the 2024 vintage will be unlike any other, BC wineries are already planning for recovery. Many are using this season to experiment with new blends, spotlight collaborative releases, and tell the story of how the industry came together in a time of need.

For wine lovers, this year’s offerings may be different in origin, but not in heart—each bottle carries the spirit of cooperation, shared passion, and a toast to better seasons ahead.

Let’s Keep Talking:

Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance.

She is also a business development consultant with Impresario Partners, helping Canadian Business expand overseas.

She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jholly-hansen@wbnn.news. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.  Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social

Let’s Meet Up:

Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4

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