Penticton, BC (March 13, 2024) – Wine Growers Canada (WGC) and Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Canadian Wine Industry Awards and the 2024 Wine Growers British Columbia Industry Recognition Awards, which were all presented live at a joint awards ceremony as the industry gathered in Penticton Tuesday evening.
This year’s distinguished recipients are:
- Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction – The Wyse Family
- Canadian Wine Industry Champion Award – Natalie MacLean
- The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award – Gina Haverstock
- Wine Growers British Columbia Leadership Excellence Award – Severine Pinte
- Wine Growers British Columbia Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador Award – Bram Bolwijn
- Wine Growers British Columbia Master Marketer Award – UncorkBC, Kayla Bordignon
2024 Canadian Wine Industry Awards
The Canadian Wine Industry Awards, sponsored by national accounting, tax and business firm MNP, are presented annually by WGC and honour those who have gone above and beyond to support the growth of the wine industry in Canada.
“Today’s Canadian Wine Industry Awards have showcased our diverse industry, and everyone at Wine Growers Canada is honoured to recognize the outstanding contribution, dedication and expertise of all of our nominees and winners. Recognizing and celebrating these accomplishments is very important, and showcases the commitment of our deserving winners to Canadian wine and to our industry’s continued growth,” says Wine Growers Canada’s President & CEO, Dan Paszkowski.
The winner of the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction – regarded as the highest form of peer recognition in the Canadian wine industry – is the Wyse Family, of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, British Columbia.
“The Wyse family’s unwavering focus on premium quality wines, along with their pioneering commitment to the environment, has made an enduring mark on the BC wine industry,” says Paszkowski. “The dedication of three generations of their family to an innovative, energy efficient winery, a culinary and wine tourism destination and to the conservation of the burrowing owl, their winery namesake, leaves a huge legacy on the wider wine industry in British Columbia and across Canada.”
The Wine Industry Champion Award, presented to an individual who has provided exemplary support to the Canadian wine industry through media, policy or advocacy, was awarded to acclaimed Ontario-based author, wine expert and editor of wine site www.nataliemaclean.com, Natalie MacLean.
“We are proud to honour Natalie, an award-winning wine writer and best-selling author of three books on wine, lifestyle, and responsible wine consumption,” states Paszkowski. “Natalie has demonstrated incredible dedication to demystifying the world of wine, and to shining a positive light on the quality and diversity of Canadian wines from coast-to-coast.”
The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award celebrates great Canadian winemakers, in honour of the legacy of the late Karl Kaiser, a Canadian wine industry pioneer and viticultural visionary. The recipient of this year’s award is Gina Haverstock, the Head Winemaker at Devonian Coast family of wineries located in Nova Scotia.
“With over 15 vintages under her belt, Gina has been committed since the outset of her career to terroir-driven, aromatic wines, and in so doing, has helped put the Wines of Nova Scotia on the radar of consumers across Canada and around the world,” says Paszkowski.
2024 British Columbia Industry Recognition Awards
The BC Industry Recognition Awards, sponsored by KPMG, are presented annually in acknowledgement of outstanding achievements and contributions to the BC wine industry. This year, Wine Growers BC was proud to introduce new categories that are more inclusive and better represent the talented people in our industry. The new award categories are Master Marketer, Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador, and Leadership Excellence.
“People are the foundation of the wine industry, and we were honoured to be able to bring the wine community together to celebrate our collective accomplishments and raise a glass to those who have gone above and beyond to amplify our industry,” says WGBC CEO & President Miles Prodan.
New this year, the Master Marketer Award recognizes an innovative winery, regional wine association, retailer, restaurant or tourism organization that thought outside the box this year to promote the Wines of BC. The winner of this inaugural award is UncorkBC.
“We are thrilled to see that the industry has recognized Kayla Bordignon from UncorkBC as this year’s Master Marketer,” says WGBC Marketing Director Kimberley Barnes. “Kayla’s passion for promoting the Wines of BC is showcased throughout her social media platforms as well as her innovative BC Wine Passport that connects local wineries with engaged wine consumers from across the province. Congratulations, Kayla, on your well-deserved recognition and thank you for being such a passionate supporter of BC wines.”
Also new this year, the Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador Award celebrates a frontline winery individual who is passionate about sharing their love of the BC wine industry with their guests and makes a positive impact on both their guests and their teams. This year’s winner is Bram Bolwijn, Guest and VIP Experience Manager at Iconic Wineries of BC.
“Bram is so knowledgeable about the entire world of wine, but his passion for the Okanagan shines brightly and is infectious. He has put so much time into educating consumers, mentoring young sommeliers and putting the Okanagan on the world stage,” remarks Samantha Collins, Vice President of Marketing for Iconic Wineries of BC. “We cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award. Congratulations Bram!”
The Wine Growers British Columbia Leadership Excellence Award (formerly Industry Recognition Award) was established in 2013 to honour a non-winery individual, business, or organization for support of the BC wine industry and BC VQA Wine through media, research, policy, regulation, education, or advocacy. Past recipients include Kurtis Kolt (sommelier), Tim Pawsey (wine writer), Jeffrey Thomas (BC Wine Authority), MLA and former Parliamentary Secretary of Liquor John Yap, and John Schreiner (wine writer). We are delighted to announce that this year’s winner of the BC Wine Industry Leadership Excellence Award is Severine Pinte, Winemaker, Viticulturist and Managing Partner at Enotecca Wineries & Resorts (Le Vieux Pin and LaStella Winery).
“Severine’s passion and dedication to the BC wine industry shines through in all that she does,” remarks Prodan. “Not only does Severine produce some of the most delicious wines in the Okanagan, but she is also a champion of sustainability, serving as Chair of Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia, and is always willing to lend her expertise to her community. Thank you, Severine for your dedication and for helping shape the future of the BC wine industry for generations to come.”
Congratulations to this year’s worthy recipients and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the Canadian wine industry.
ABOUT WINE GROWERS CANADA
Wine Growers Canada (WGC) is the national voice of the Canadian wine industry, with membership representing more than 90% of annual Canadian wine production. WGC members are engaged in the entire wine value chain, from grape growing, farm management & grape harvesting, to wine production, bottling, retail sales and tourism. For more information about Wine Growers Canada, visit WineGrowersCanada.ca or follow @WineGrowersCA on X.
ABOUT WINE GROWERS BRITISH COLUMBIA
Since 1990, WGBC has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences. WGBC markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $3.75 billion in provincial economic growth annually. For more information about Wine Growers BC programs and services, please visit WineBC.com.
For details on the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com, follow @WinesofBC on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest. Industry trade news @WineGrowersBC.
ABOUT MNP
MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada. Through partner-led engagements, MNP provides a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed in Canada and internationally, and has an extensive history of working with food and beverage processors. For more information about MNP, visit MNP.ca.
ABOUT KPMG
KPMG Private Enterprise is a specialized division of KPMG in Canada that is exclusively dedicated to the private sector, including entrepreneurs, family businesses and private wealth clients. Their Private Enterprise Advisors in Western Canada understand what it takes for businesses to be successful at each stage, whether looking to grow, expand internationally, strengthen, or exit. They bring you the best of our global intelligence with a wealth of local experience and energy through a Private Enterprise team that shares your area code. A KPMG Private Enterprise Advisor is a dedicated member of your team on whatever path you take, helping you to make the right decisions along the way. Making your Business even better.
