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22 W i n e s & V i n e s D e C e M B e R 2 0 1 4 N O V E M B E R N E W S P enticton, B.C.—British Columbia's first subap- pellation is in sight, paving the way for addi- tional proposals for new geographical indications in one of Canada's primary wine regions. The three-member board of the B.C. Wine Authority (BCWA) asked the province's agriculture minister in October to formally approve and establish the Golden Mile Bench Designated Viticultural Area (DVA), after 10 wineries submitted an application in May to form the first subappellation within the larger Okanagan Valley DVA. Government is unlikely to act contrary to the recom- mendation of the authority, which oversees the prov- ince's wine industry on its behalf. Wineries within the Golden Mile Bench DVA, which includes ap- proximately 1,580 acres (790 acres planted to grapes) south of Oliver, B.C., include C.C. Jentsch Cellars, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Cul- mina Family Estate Winery, Fairview Cellars, Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Hester Creek, Inniskillin Okanagan, Road 13 Vineyards, Rus- tico Farm & Cellars Ltd. and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. Wineries that source fruit from local vineyards may also be able to label their wines using the new geographical indication if the wines meet content requirements. "It's a maturation of the wine industry," Cynthia Enns, co-owner of Laughing Stock Vineyards, said of the BCWA's decision. The new area occupies benchlands to the west of Highway 97 in an area long known as the Golden Mile. Running approximately 4.2 miles north to south at an elevation of between 1,066 feet and 1,673 feet above sea level, it is roughly bounded by Reid Creek and Testalinden Creek. The vetting process for the new designation included interviews with proponents of the DVA as well as the scientists who assisted with the application. BCWA directors visited the area and conducted a vote seeking a double majority (two- thirds) of affected members to ensure the indus- try itself accepted the new subappellation. "Following an extensive review of the application, the authority's board has concluded that the application meets the requirements," the BCWA stated, promising to release its full report regarding the DVA application in due course. Golden Mile Bench is the first subappella- tion the BCWA has considered since its cre- ation in 2008, and as such it was a test case of sorts. The speed at which the application was processed and forwarded for government recognition pleased the B.C. Wine Institute. It also opens the doors to proposals from other regions including the Black Sage Bench and the Naramata Bench. —Peter Mitham B.C. Wine Subappellation Moves Ahead winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keywords "Golden Mile Bench" C.C. Jentsch Cellars' sign identifies the area's new DVA. D E C E M B E R N E W S Grape Stakes | Wire | Grow Tubes | Fencing T-Posts | Bird Neting | Vine Protection | Anchors End Posts | Tying Materials | Cross Arms All Trellising | And More! Your Source for All Vineyard Trellising Supplies Largest Manufacturer of Grape Stakes Nationwide! www.JimsSupply.com Visit JSC Booth #906 at the Unifed Symposium! Ji S l 800.423.8016 Fastening System Available at JSC! Win a $500 Gripple Trellising Kit Mention this ad at Gripple Booth #2403 at the 2015 Unifed Wine Symposium and be entered to win!