First there was "The Great Pull-out" of grape vines after free trade began with the USA in the late 1980s. Now it appears another great pull-out is happening, and economic factors are once again the reason. The photo above looks like a graveyard, but its a field where apple or peach trees probably once stood, right near the US border in Osoyoos. This is a field of new grape plantings.
It's an exciting time for the Okanagan thanks to the success of the wine business. It is presenting its challenges, and putting great pressure on agricultural land. Developments are popping up, but it is vital that the South Okanagan retains its agricultural and countryside appeal.
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Mike Klassen is a Vancouver city councillor, communications professional, and long-time advocate for British Columbia’s wine industry. He co‑founded BC Wine Lover in 2007 with his wife Stacey, sharing stories from their travels through the province’s wine regions and spotlighting the people and places that make B.C. wine distinctive.
In 2015, Mike led the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, guiding a province‑wide consultation that produced recommendations—later endorsed by industry plebiscite—that strengthened B.C.’s appellation standards and helped establish today’s sub‑GIs.
His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Huffington Post, and Daily Hive, blending history, policy insight, and personal experience. Alongside his work on Vancouver City Council, Mike continues to explore vineyards across the province, champion local producers, and celebrate the evolving culture of B.C. wine.
