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B C B U S I N E S S . C A
J U LY/A U G U S T
2 0 24 C h â t e a u H a u t- B r i o n ; Illu s t r a t i o n s : A d o b e S t o c k / j e k s o nj s ; A d o b e S t o c k / P r o f d e s i g n s ; A d o b e S t o c k / O g r a f i c a
LET'S START WITH THE BAD NEWS:
British Columbians live in a terrible juris-
diction for collecting wine. The combina-
tion of our high taxes and a government
monopoly means we have the double
whammy of limited selection and steep
prices—not exactly Warren Buffett terri-
tory. And your ability to bring wine into
the province from more liberal wine neigh-
bours to the south is curtailed by insanely
punitive duty‚ the highest in Canada. I sup-
pose a sort of jaded silver lining is that even
if you did amass a blue-chip collection, you
GREEN
GR PES
How to build
a wine cellar
like you build
your portfolio
by Neal McLennan
wouldn't be able to sell it anywhere in B.C.,
so we're free to build something special
without having to sully it with the grimy
threat of profit.
But some of the most rewarding ven-
tures are those done when the conditions
are challenging. So channel your inner
King Henry as you embark once more
unto the vinous breach. To guide your
way, here's how the same disciplines used
by your savvy stock picker can apply in
the (not so) free market that is the British
Columbia winescape.
FOLLOW THE GRAPEVINE
Strict liquor laws make it hard to
score good deals on wine in the
province, but our tips can help you
build a stellar cellar collection
