The Wine Research Centre has led wine research and education at UBC for more than two decades. In more recent years, a reimagining of the centre through an innovative collaboration paved the way for the creation of a dual-campus centre headquartered on the Okanagan campus.

Working across both campuses, we conduct cutting-edge research in enology, viticulture, management, and social sciences; provide academic and extended education and engage with industry and communities on the challenges of wine territory development.

We are dedicated to fostering cooperation between academic institutions, the wine industry sector, and communities around the world in a way that encourages growth with integrity and inclusivity. Our ethos is one of rigorous curiosity and open-minded collaboration while pursuing excellence in all that we do.

The Wine Industry of British Columbia

British Columbia is home to a world-class wine region of mostly small-scale, premium wine producers. Wine grapes have been a part of the agricultural fabric of British Columbia for more than 40 years. The industry grew from less than 20 wine producers in 1990 to over 330 producers in 2024. Around 13,000 acres of almost exclusively European varieties, (Vitis vinifera) are positioned amongst the various microclimates and soil profiles of the province. Wine grape production is concentrated in the Okanagan Valley but is very successful in the cool coastal regions of Vancouver Island and various valleys throughout the south of the province.

The Okanagan Valley

More than 80% of BC wine grape production occurs in the Okanagan Valley – a semi-arid region with steep slopes along a series of narrow lakes carved out by glacial movements. The Okanagan Valley is located in the southern center of the province and is approximately 200 km long and 20 km wide.

Photo credit: winegrowersbc.ca

The Impact of the UBC Wine Research Centre to Date

The WRC has been focused on wine research in BC since the early 2000’s and has not only brought in substantial funding but has produced highly qualified personnel for the local industry and published valuable findings for the world of wine.

Wine is a $4 Billion in BC and a $12 Billion industry in Canada. UBC is primely situated to support and drive growth in this sector with an accomplished team of 14 researchers across two campuses and six faculties.

External Collaborators

The WRC is so grateful for past, present and future collaborations and partnerships. Our work would not be possible without them.

Government – BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan

Industry Associations – BC Wine Grape Council, Wine Grape Industry Task Force, BC Grape Growers Association and Winegrowers BC

Private Businesses – Quail’s Gate Winery, Okanagan Crush Pad, Tantalus Vineyards, Andrew Peller Ltd, Supra R&D, Genome BC, Genome Canada, Nourish Labs, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Tightrope Winery, and so many more.

Academic – Okanagan College, The University of Bordeaux, Brock University and many more.