Jeff Guignard CEO Wine Growers of BC on a wild 2025 and Brad Royale – BC Wines in Alberta. Both cover VanWineFest
THE SHOW
Guests:
Jeff Guignard – CEO Wine Growers of BC
Brad Royale – Corporate Sommelier for Concorde Entertainment Group Calgary
Jeff talks provincial trade barriers, wine taxes, BC Wine profile. Brad speaks Albertan!
Both have tips for Van Wine Fest.
2025 – It was quite a year in BC Wine.. The last “crafted in BC” wines.
Taxes and No taxes from Alberta, Nova Scotia & Ontario drop wine trade barriers.
Are we any closer to a provincial wine trade agreement?
Is May 1st just another Friday or the start of falling Canadian trade barriers…
and what to expect at 2026 Vancouver International Wine Festival! On Now
where France is the feature region and 35 BC Wineries are pouring.
LOTS to talk about!
Jeff Guignard (CEO – Wine Growers of BC)
Jeff was the Executive Director of the Alliance of Beverage Licenses.
From 2014-2025.
In Spring 2025 he became the CEO of Wine Growers of BC. It’s been a wild ride for Jeff but the first thing he did was leave the office and travel to every wine region in BC and visit many wineries. Jeff wanted to meet the winemakers and they absolutely wanted to meet him.
Since signing on, he’s been involved in the tax wars between Alberta and BC. His efforts and leadership lead to Alberta dropping their recent tax on BC Wines. Having spent over 10 years on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Jeff is the perfect leader to break down the Provincial Trade Barriers. Can’t happen soon enough.
After covering all those subjects, Jeff leaves us with tips for your visit to 2026 Vancouver Wine Festival.
Brad Royale – (Corporate Sommelier at Concorde Entertainment Group in Calgary.)
Over 20 different locations, each one distinct from the other. . Some stunning upscale restaurants Major Tom, rooms with dining and music (The Palomino Smoke House and Showroom,
Goro and Gun (Japanese ramen specialty) and lots more.
Each location has a distinct drinks menu, all curated by Brad.
He’s a delightful interview, which is just one of the reasons I asked him to join the conversation. He speaks his mind and doesn’t bother with blather.
Brad answered my questions about Alberta’s tax laws as they pertain to BC Wines and he was a straight shooter.
I also asked Brad about attending the Vancouver Wine Fest (March 7 -14) and his recommendations for tasting France and BC. We also got sidetracked on Sake.
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:
Free Spirit – Victoria
Fort Berens
Spring Releases
Cowichan Wines
Another Barnyard Wine Fair in Victoria
