Managing Grapevine Trunk Diseases in Australia and New Zealand
2026-02-25 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Summerland Research & Development Centre, 4200 Highway #97, Summerland, British Columbia, V0H 1Z0, Canada
Managing Grapevine Trunk Diseases in Australia and New Zealand
Wednesday February 25th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PST)

This presentation will be a great opportunity to learn what other grapevine growing regions are doing to mitigate the impact of such important diseases. Please refer to the attached pdf flyer for more information on Dr. Sosnowski’s seminar.
The seminar will be in person at the Summerland RDC main conference room and provided virtually by MS teams.
Registration to attend this seminar either in person (limited to 50 people) or online via MS Teams is required.
If you would like to attend, please send an email to joseramon.urbeztorres@agr.gc.ca indicating the following:

I will attend in person (limited to 50 people, first come – first served). Registration deadline for in Person attendance is Tuesday February 10 end of business day
If attending in Person, please also provide in your email your Citizenship or Canadian permanent-resident status (non-Canadian citizens and non-permanent residents will need to submit extra information to access the Summerland RDC as per Canada Federal Government policy)
I will attend Virtually (Link will be provided 24 h before the seminar). Registration deadline for Virtual Attendance is Monday February 23 end of business day

Please direct any questions to joseramon.urbeztorres@agr.gc.ca
Click here to request to attend

BCWGC March 19, 2026 R&D Committee Meeting
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
March 19, 2026 – 12:00 – 1:00 – BCAC & AgSafe, Producer Emergency Awareness Session
Emergencies can strike without warning so make sure you and your farm are prepared. This session will provide information on how to build a farm-specific emergency plan to increase the resilience of your farm. We’ll also explain the emergency response framework in BC and the tools available to help you before and during an emergency.
Presenters:
Ken Nickel – BC Agriculture Council
Reg Steward – AgSafe BC
Bios:
Ken Nickel was the Executive Director responsible for BC Ministry of Agriculture participation in emergency events affecting agriculture in BC for 14 years. Ken currently oversees the BCAC-led “BC Agriculture Sector Coordinated Emergency Response Structure Project” for all 30 BCAC member organizations.
Reg Steward, AgSafe Superintendent of Field Operations / safety consultant / rancher, served in the RCMP for many years. His background made him invaluable as an Agriculture Liaison for many regional Emergency Operation Centers over the past decade.

Register here

Download the brochure: Producer Session Poster 2026 (Wine Grape Council)

BCWGC April 16, 2026 R&D Committee Meeting
2026-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
April 16, 2026 – 12:00 – 1:00 – How wildfire smoke exposure may change the aroma of wines
The aim of the presentation is to give a quick overview of o past and current research in smoke taint; o the current PhD project, illustrating how it may contribute to the research field – the project is an exploratory analysis, looking for broader chemical changes in grapes and wines resulting from wildfire smoke exposure; o and current mitigation and treatment strategies.
Presenters:
Carien Catlett; PhD Student University of British Columbia Okanagan, Irving Barber Faculty of Science, Chemistry. Supervised by Dr Wesley Zandberg
Bios:
Carien Catlett is enrolled as a PhD student at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr Wesley Zandberg. She obtained her master’s degree in South Africa in the field of Chemometric applied to Spectroscopic data in the field of fluoro-carbon chemistry. Carien and her family moved to the Okanagan in 2023 from Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
Register here

BCWGC May 21, 2026 R&D Committee Meeting
2026-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
May 21, 2026 – 12:00 – 1:00 – Torin Kelly, Invasive Species Council of BC and Lisa Scott, Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society – Invasive species awareness in BC and critical insights for newly planted Okanagan vineyards

Invasive plants and insects are more than a nuisance; they have the potential to cost BC grape growers millions of dollars if left unchecked. Join this session to hear about invasive species and resources available for vineyards across the province. Get firsthand examples of how vineyards in the Okanagan can work to better manage the spread of Puncturevine, Sandbur, Russian Elm, Tree of Heaven, Spotted Lantern Fly, and Brown Marmorated Stinkbug. Presentations and resources from Torin Kelly of the Invasive Species Council of BC and Lisa Scott of the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society.
Register here

Grape & Wine Cluster Research Updates: Update #1 - May 28th
2026-05-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Join us to hear from several researchers working within the AgriScience Grape & Wine Research Cluster as they share updates on the first three years of their research projects! Attendees will have a chance to learn about current research from across Canada on topics like soil health, vine stress, wine flavour modification, cold hardiness, and more. We hope you will join us!
Update #1 – May 28th
Activities covered in this webinar will include:

Activity 4: Vegetation management for long-term productivity and enhanced ecosystem services in Canadian semi-arid vineyards (Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, AAFC Summerland)
Activity 9: Influence of temperature and heat-stress mitigation strategies on grape quality in British Columbia vineyards (Dr. Simone Castellarin, University of British Columbia)
Activity 11: Wine flavour modification through non-traditional yeasts, oenological treatments, and taint remediation (Dr. Debbie Inglis, Brock University)
Activity 15: From carbon sequestration to terroir: Understanding the impact of abiotic stresses on grapevine, berries, and wine quality to foster sustainable grape and wine production (Dr. Karine Pedneault, Université du Québec en Outaouais)
Activity 17: Enhancing the resilience of Nova Scotia vineyards to climate change through improvements to ecosystem services (Dr. Vicky Lévesque, AAFC Kentville)

Date: Thursday, May 28th, 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm Eastern time
Location: Zoom webinar
The webinar is free to attend but registration is required!
Register here

BCGA Spring 2026 Workshop: Irrigation & Contracts
2026-05-28 13:00 - 16:30 | 316 Road 20 The Hangar Oliver, BC V0H 1T1
BCGA Spring 2026 Workshop: Irrigation & Contracts
Good decisions around irrigation and grape sales can make the difference between a successful season and a stressful one. This practical workshop brings together two key areas where growers can reduce risk, improve outcomes, and strengthen the long‑term health of their vineyards and businesses.
In the first part of the workshop, we will explore why irrigation is so important for vine health, fruit quality, and yield. Growers will learn how too much or too little water affects vines, how different soil types hold and move water, and how rootstock choice influences water use. The session will also introduce irrigation tools and systems from Verdi, Lumos, and Southern Irrigation, helping growers think about solutions that fit their own soils, vines, and growing conditions.
The second part of the workshop focuses on why contracts and long‑term relationships with wineries matter more than ever. With changing markets and increasing uncertainty, growers often carry the greatest risk when there is no clear agreement in place. This session will explain what contracts do, how they can help protect growers, and the difference between one‑time sales and longer‑term arrangements. We will also discuss why trust, clear communication, and reliability are so important to wineries, and what questions growers should be asking before the season begins.
The workshop will conclude with a question and answer session, giving participants the chance to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. Growers will leave with practical insights they can apply in their own vineyards to improve decision‑making, reduce risk, and build more resilient operations.
This workshop is FREE to members, and non-members must pay $20.00 at the door or purchase a BCGA membership

Register here

Replanting Healthy Vineyards - Northern Tour
2026-06-09 09:00 - 13:00 | 4500 Stewart Rd Kelowna, BC V1W 4N5
Join us to hear the latest on replanting, cover cropping, soil health and amendments, biodiversity, and invasive species in the vineyard.

Replanting Healthy Vineyards – Northern Tour
Event Date & Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST
Event Description: Join us for the Northern leg of our Replanting Healthy Vineyards field tour, hosted in collaboration with researchers and viticulturists. This engaging field day invites you into active vineyard sites in Kelowna, where we’ll explore real-world applications of practices that support healthy vineyards and resilient ecosystems.
Through hands-on demonstrations and open discussions, participants will gain insights into:

Replanting
Cover crops and identification
Soil health and amendments
Biodiversity in the vineyard
Identifying and mitigating the spread of invasive species

📍 Tour Stops Include:

Quails’ Gate Estate, South Kelowna – 4500 Stewart Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1W 4N5
Waldhof Vineyards (Gebert Family), Kelowna – 5225 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC, V1W 4J1

Contributors: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, UBC, BC Living Labs, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, BC Grapegrowers’ Association, BC Wine Grape Council + Sustainable Winegrowing BC, and Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society.
📝 Registration is required.
💲 FREE to attend
📄 Full Itinerary will be available closer to the event.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, and a notepad if desired. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
Questions? Contact: Selina Spence – selina.spence@ubc.ca
Register for Northern Tour here
View our Southern Tour here

Replanting Healthy Vineyards - Southern Tour
2026-06-10 09:00 - 13:00 | 8123 148 Avenue Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V2
Join us to hear the latest on replanting, cover cropping, soil health and amendments, biodiversity, and invasive species in the vineyard.

Replanting Healthy Vineyards – Southern Tour
Event Date & Time: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST
Event Description: Join us for the Southern leg of our Replanting Healthy Vineyards field tour, hosted in collaboration with researchers and viticulturists. This engaging field day invites you into active vineyard sites in Osoyoos, where we’ll explore real-world applications of biodiversity practices that support healthy vineyards and resilient ecosystems.
Through hands-on demonstrations and open discussions, participants will gain insights into:

Replanting
Cover crops and identification
Soil health and amendments
Biodiversity in the vineyard
Identifying and mitigating the spread of invasive species

📍 Tour Stops Include:

La Stella (Enotecca), Osoyoos: 8123-148 Ave, Osoyoos, BC, VOH 1VO

TBD

Contributors: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, UBC, BC Living Labs, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, BC Grapegrowers’ Association, BC Wine Grape Council + Sustainable Winegrowing BC, and Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society.
📝 Registration is required.
💲 Free to attend
📄 Full Itinerary will be available closer to the event.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, and a notepad if desired. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
Questions? Selina Spence – selina.spence@ubc.ca
Register for Southern Tour Here
View our Northern Tour here

Grape & Wine Cluster Research Updates: Update #2 - June 25
2026-06-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Join us to hear from several researchers working within the AgriScience Grape & Wine Research Cluster as they share updates on the first three years of their research projects! Attendees will have a chance to learn about current research from across Canada on topics like soil health, vine stress, wine flavour modification, cold hardiness, and more. We hope you will join us!
Update #2 – June 25th
Activities covered within this webinar will include:

Activity 12: Selection of superior grapevine material using traditional field evaluations and genomic/metabolic signatures for cold resilience (Dr. Jim Willwerth, Brock University)
Activity 14: Increasing climate change resilience by a better understanding of cold hardiness and with novel frost protection methods (Dr. Andréanne Hébert-Haché, Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel)
Activity 16: Increase productivity, climate change adaptation, and resilience of northeastern Canadian vineyards through different weed, insects, fungal disease, and virus control strategies (Dr. Andréanne Hébert-Haché, Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel)
Activity 18: Growing more resilient and hardy wine grapes in the face of climate change in an Eastern Canadian environment (Dr. Harrison Wright, AAFC Kentville)

Date: Thursday, June 25th, 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm Eastern time
Location: Zoom webinar
The webinar is free to attend but registration is required!
Register here

The Science of Stress with Dr. Scholasch: How Water Shapes Wine Quality
2026-07-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Le Vieux Pin, 5496 Black Sage Road, Oliver, BC, V0H 1T1, Canada
Overview

Join us for a lunch with Dr. Thibaut Scholasch, co-founder of Fruition Sciences and one of the world’s leading authorities on vine water status and its relationship to fruit composition, yield, and wine quality.
Dr. Scholasch’s work is grounded in over two decades of sap flow research and applied vineyard physiology, and he has reshaped how growers and winemakers in regions from Napa to Bordeaux think about irrigation and the impacts it has on climatic adaptation and wine quality.
In this talk, Dr. Scholasch will cover:

How vine water stress (and the timing of it) drives anthocyanin, tannin, and sugar accumulation
Practical tools for measuring vine water status in real time, beyond visual cues and soil moisture alone
Yield-quality tradeoffs: when reducing yield actually improves quality, and when it’s a wasted sacrifice
How these principles apply specifically to the climatic and soil conditions of the Okanagan Valley

This is a working session for growers, vineyard managers, winemakers, and researchers who want to move past rules-of-thumb irrigation scheduling and toward a physiologically grounded, data-informed approach.
Details:
📅 Tuesday, July 7th
🕐 11:00 a.m.
📍 Le Vieux Pin
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Lunch will be served. Q&A to follow.

Register Here

BCWGC July 16, 2026 R&D Committee Meeting
2026-07-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
July 16, 2026 – 12:00 – 1:00 – Dr. Jumi Gogoi, UBC – Decision support for BC wine grapes: Cold hardiness modeling and the Canadian Vineyard Atlas
This session will introduce new predictive models being developed to forecast cold hardiness risk across BC’s diverse vineyard regions and grape varieties. We will also showcase the Canadian Vineyard Atlas – a free, interactive map app that lets growers explore vineyard locations and access daily weather and satellite data across BC. Together, these tools aim to support BC growers with timely, science-based information for vineyard risk management.
Register Here

BCWGC Annual General Meeting
2026-08-13 09:00 - 10:00
POSTPONED
August 13, 2026, 9:00 – 1:00 via Zoom
Due to the current wildfire situation impacting the Okanagan, the BC Wine Grape Council Annual General Meeting has been postponed. A new date will be set once the situation has stabilized. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this decision. Thank you.
Register here

Resources for navigating wildfire impacts to your farm and wine production operation
2026-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Hosted by the BC Wine Grape Council R&D and Health & Safety Committees
Smoke taint in BC what we know
Presenters:
– Lindsay Hainstock, BC Ministry of Food and Agriculture
– Dr. Wesley Zandberg, University of British Columbia
– Ron Maciborski and Kyle Hart, AgSafe BC
Description:
Join this free online panel discussion to learn about important information related to production insurance, smoke taint mitigation strategies, and resources for employers navigating these challenging times.
Register Here
