Credit: Thompson Okanagan / Darren Robinson

The B.C. Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) is a quality assurance program in British Columbia, Canada, that guarantees the quality and authenticity of the province's wine. The program was created in 1990 to protect the quality of British Columbia’s wines and to ensure that they meet the highest standards of excellence. To be labelled VQA, a wine must be made from grapes grown in British Columbia and must adhere to strict criteria established by the VQA in regards to vintage, grape variety, alcohol content, and other attributes. The VQA also inspects and certifies wineries, ensuring that all facilities meet the standards for producing wines of superior quality. The VQA logo, which appears on approved wines, is a symbol of quality and authenticity, and is recognized around the world as a mark of excellence.

Credit: Destination British Columbia

Credit: BC Liquor

Wineries must be licensed by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and must meet the minimum requirements set out by the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA). These requirements include: meeting grape growing and winemaking standards; having a quality control program in place; and having the winery inspected and approved by the VQA. Once approved, wineries can submit their wines to be evaluated by the VQA. The wines must pass a series of tests and tastings to be approved as a VQA wine

History of BC VQA

---

Top Photo Credit: Destination BC/Unoaked Photography