British Columbia vineyards are among the most recent additions to Oregon’s expanding Salmon Safe program. “Protecting the salmon, for us, is as important as protecting all other components in the system,” said David Avery, principal of 2,000-case Lotusland Vineyards in Abbotsford. Lotusland sources grapes from 35 acres of vineyard at seven sites in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley in the shadow of Washington state’s Mount Baker. Sockeye salmon returned to the Fraser River by the millions last year, but stocks have been declining in a region built as much on fishing as farming. Certification of Lotusland’s operations by Salmon Safe will help Avery demonstrate to consumers that the winery and its vineyards take stewardship of the environment seriously. “Having some signage that demonstrates that will appeal to our clients,” Avery told Wines & Vines this week. “Their logo is a very valuable logo…” Read the article.