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JANUARY NEWS B.C. Broker Negotiates Wine Surplus Winemakers say connection for bulk wine trade was needed B.C. Winegrape Tonnage Increases Tons 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 P enticton, British Columbia, Canada���With the British Columbia Wine Institute estimating the province���s grape crop reaching 35,000 tons this year, some observers are discussing the potential for a surplus. Acreage is approaching 10,000, and many wineries are striving to carve niches for themselves, resulting in a relatively large volume of high-quality grape juice swirling around the province. During the recession of 2008-09, many wineries introduced blends or second labels that offered consumers greater value for their dollars. A state of the industry report prepared by Simon Fraser University researchers in 2011 noted that the industry was anticipating an ���expected supply surplus of grapes.��� Now, having previously brokered deals for wine and grapes through his eponymous consulting company, Wendenburg Wine Consulting, Penticton���s Mark Wendenburg and his wife Jackie have launched B.C. Bulk winesandvines.com Learn more: Wine Brokers Ltd. Wendenburg doesn���t feel Search keywords the industry is grappling with a surplus, but ���B.C. surplus.��� he does see a need to make connections between wineries with wine to sell and vats to fill. ���Every winemaking country that I���ve been to or worked at has a company buying and selling bulk wine,��� Wendenburg told Wines & Vines. While a wine exchange exists in Ontario, and British Columbia���s biggest players (Mission Hill Family Estate and the Mark Anthony Group, Andrew Peller Ltd. and Constellation Brands) are of a size that allow them to source bulk wine using in-house resources, no one is serving smaller and mid-sized wineries. The B.C. Grapegrowers Association hosts an online buy-sell forum for members, but Wendenburg said he saw a need for a discreet, private service. ���Peter Mitham SEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #1110 Win es & Vin es JA N UA RY 20 13 23