Photo by Tom Walker
Award John Vielvoye
John Vielvoye (right), was honoured with the first Lifetime Achievement award with Mason Spink Dirty Laundry outgoing BCGA president .
The Province of BC’s former grape industry specialist, John Vielvoye, was honoured with the first Lifetime Achievement award from the BC Grapegrowers Association (BCGA) and the BC Wine Grape Council (BCWGC).
As well, John Bayley of Blasted Church Estate Winery was chosen as the new President of the BCGA.
The two organizations representing grape growers in British Columbia held their first joint AGM in Penticton, and chose that time to honour Vielvoye with 140 growers and vintners in attendance.
Speakers at the meeting said that, while Vielvoye may not be a household name among consumers, growers and winemakers know him as the man who helped build the foundation for the entire modern wine industry in BC.
Vielvoye dedicated over 50 years of service to the industry, through the Ministry Of Agriculture from 1966 to 1997 and later as a consultant.
Vielvoye is best known for establishing the Becker project that guided the BC industry away from the French hybrids that made the sweeter wines of the 1970’s and 80’s, to the Vitis viniferas that support the world class wines that BC produces today.
He is also credited with recognizing the potential of the Lillooet region for wine grapes, where he helped establish the Fort Berens winery, and more recently in the Kootenay Boundary Region.
“This is long overdue for the industry to honour John,” said Doug Sperling of Kelowna’s Sperling Vineyards, who along with Connie Bielert inducted John Vielvoye.
Sperling recounted Vielvoye’s years of service and noted his strength in gathering knowledge and providing outreach education to growers, a role he continued as a consultant after he retired from government service.
Bielert, a former BCGA administrator, recounted that one of the best ways to connect with John was to join him as he drove across the Okanagan to a meeting or to visit a vineyard site.
“He would turn and talk to us in the car, and that would continue as he drove his car up and down the vineyard rows,” quipped Bielert. “He had to convince many that the Becker project was worth doing, but that was John.”
Industry veteran Harry McWatters sent a note that summed up the thoughts of many in the room.
“You made such a significant difference to the success of the British Columbia grape and wine industry over a very long period of time,” McWatters wrote. “I am sure that many newcomers to the industry have no idea what they owe you or maybe even who you are, but they have a much easier road today because of your dedication to the industry.”
The award is one of two new awards established by the BCGA and announced at the AGM: Viticulturalist of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. “We hope to recognize individuals who grow the very best wine grapes,” explains John Bayley. “These are the people who are responsible for each bunch that comes off the vine and the decisions that directly guide the daily operations of the vineyard.” The first award will be presented in the spring of 2020.
“The lifetime achievement award is to support the people who have grown our industry and made significant contributions,” says Bayley. It will be awarded every second year.”
New President John Bayley Looks to the Future
John Bayley, the viticulture manager for the acclaimed Blasted Church winery in Penticton, is the new president of the BCGA, and spoke to O&V about his hopes for the future.
“I hope to be able to carry forward what we do,” says John Bayley. “Our mission is to help all growers improve, so continuing the annual workshops such as pruning, irrigation and canopy management is important.”
“There is a lot of potential for quality grapes and wines in the Okanagan and Similkameen,” says Bayley, who is the viticulture manager for Blasted Church winery on the east side of Skaha lake, just north of Okanagan Falls. “But there is still a lot of work for growers to do, and education and information is a really critical part of that.”
Working in a top wine retail shop got Bayley started in the business. He qualified as a sommelier, worked a couple of harvests and took formal training at the University of Lincoln in New Zealand with a diploma viticulture and oenology. His 13 years in the industry have taken him to Oregon and Burgundy as well. This is his fourth season at Blasted Church.
“I think understanding both sides of the equation has been hugely helpful,” says Bayley. “Starting in a speciality store gave me great exposure. I am driven much more by the wine that comes out of my fruit, rather than just growing a commodity.”
