Lionel Trudel photo courtesy of Okanagan Crush Pad

Leading the way once again, Okanagan Crush Pad has become the first Canadian winery to join the International Wineries for Climate Action. The Summerland winery has long been committed to stewardship. Now its goal is to reduce greenhouse emissions by 33 per cent by 2030, reach net zero by 2050 and inspire other wineries to follow suit. 

“I am proud that the winery team is devoted to this process and to making a full effort to take our land stewardship commitment to the next level,” says OCP founder Christine Coletta. “We started our sustainability push in 2011 by converting our vineyards to organic farming and then in 2014 obtaining organic certification for our winemaking facility. We can now push this commitment beyond farming and winemaking to incorporate all aspects of our business.” 

Founded by Familia Torres and Jackson Family Wines, IWCA aims to galvanize the global wine community to create climate change mitigation strategies and decarbonize the industry. It is open to any winery, from any country, and employs a three-tiered membership system that allows a diversity of wineries to join. Okanagan Crush Pad has been accepted as an applicant member and has one year to meet IWCA membership requirements and become a silver or gold level member. 

“It is important for us to take a deep dive into our practices with a set goal and timeframe in which to achieve the next level of IWCA membership,” notes OCP’s CEO, Darryl Brooker. “We are also pleased that through IWCA membership we are also a participant in the United Nations’ Race to Zero Campaign.”

Vitis Magazine

Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to British Columbia’s rapidly evolving wine culture.