Rows upon rows of ripe wine grapes at Okanagan Hills Winery are set for harvesting, yet owner Jesse Gill is not in a celebratory mood. A season plagued by heavy wildfire smoke spells disaster for most of the fruit.
Gill expressed concerns about the unprecedented smoke taint affecting the entire Okanagan Valley wine industry. Many growers are experiencing canceled contracts from wineries they typically supply fruit to.
In the wake of years marked by frost damage, drought, and wildfires, growers like Gill criticize the B.C. provincial government’s crop insurance program, indicating that it is inadequate. The production insurance evaluation process currently relies on outdated underwriting models that fail to account for the consecutive climate change-related challenges faced by the industry.
Gill estimates that this year’s crop, untainted by smoke, would have been valued at $600,000, but due to past losses, he is only insured for $130,000. This discrepancy raises questions about the efficacy of production insurance and its ability to provide a safety net for farmers during challenging times.
One particular gripe among growers is a production insurance rule that stipulates only harvested grapes are eligible for coverage. Additionally, grapes cannot be repurposed for animal feed or fertilizer and must be disposed of if growers wish to claim insurance.
Ron Kubek, the owner of Lightning Rock Winery near Summerland, highlighted the financial burden growers face, including labor costs during harvest and disposal. He plans to organize a volunteer day to engage individuals in grape cutting activities and educate them about the viticulture sector.
Despite the challenges, Gill remains hopeful and is engaging with ministry officials and fellow producers to address the shortcomings of the provincial insurance program. He emphasizes the need for a revised model that can effectively support growers during times of need.