Summerland Strong: B.C. looks to support wildfire evacuees
Published 3:31 pm Tuesday, August 18, 2026
An initiative to show up for Summerland following the devestating Bald Range wildfire is grabbing attention as well as a bottle of wine.
Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC), along with the BC Restaurants and Food Services Association (BCRFA), Alliance of Beverage Licenses (ABLE) and Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive Association, is encouraging restaurants, retailers and wine lovers from across the province to promote Summerland producers by featuring its wines using #SummerlandStrong.
Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia, said, “You don’t need to travel to Summerland to show your love for Summerland. You can do it at your neighbourhood restaurant or liquor store. Order a Summerland wine with dinner, discover a new bottle at your local wine shop or share a favourite producer with a friend. What makes this so special is its British Columbians showing up for British Columbians.”
The food businesses and retailers are being encouraged to create in-store displays, recommend Summerland producers and use #SummerlandStrong to raise awareness among customers and help them connect with the movement.
The movement is receiving great enthusiasm on social media.
Ian Tostenson, President/CEO, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, said, “Restaurants have always been about community. When people are going through difficult times, hospitality has an extraordinary ability to bring people together’’.
He added that this is an easy way to show people in Summerland that they are not alone.
Bo Chen, executive director of ABLE BC, considers #SummerlandStrong as an opportunity for retailers across the province to stand behind the local wine industry in a very tangible way.
With this community-led initiative, Bottleneck Drive Association is helping people to connect with Summerland’s local wineries, cideries, distilleries and breweries.
Jordan Kubek, chair of the Bottleneck Drive Association, which represents Summerland producers, said, “Seeing people across B.C. seek out a Summerland wine, cider, craft beverage or locally made product means a great deal. We want people to keep discovering Summerland, keep talking about us and, when the time is right, come experience everything this community has to offer.’’
People can directly contribute to the Summerland community by supporting the SOS Wildfire Response Fund established by the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.