VanWineFest Welcomes the Wine World
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is now underway, bringing together 120 wineries from 15 countries, including 70 wineries from the West Coast of North America, for an estimated 19,000 attendees in its 46th year. Recognized as Canada’s premier wine show, the festival is one of the world’s top wine trade events, and this year’s edition promises to be another exciting showcase of international wine and food, and seminar speakers and winery personalities from around the wine world.
Despite recent challenges related to trade and tariffs, all 1,000-plus wines being sampled at events and those for sale at the onsite BCLIQUOR Store remain unaffected. All 43 events will continue as scheduled, offering an opportunity to engage with and discover some of the world’s finest wines. The festival is looking forward to welcoming 50 wineries and their principals from our West Coast neighbours – California, Oregon, and Washington – who are travelling north to engage with the local wine community and contribute to the region’s economy. There will also be 20 participating British Columbia wineries, providing a unique opportunity for trade professionals and wine lovers to compare and contrast wines from all along the West Coast’s vast array of regions, appellations, and grape varieties.
In a spirit of cooperation and solidarity, U.S. wineries have shown exceptional support for their BC counterparts by providing grapes for the production of the 2024 vintage, following last year’s challenging harvest. This gesture of goodwill highlights the unity within North America’s West Coast wine community and exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the industry.
“Wine unites us in these uncertain times, and we are proud to see the festival continue to serve as a celebration of shared values: a passion for wine, commitment to sustainability, and strong engagement with our local wine community,” says Harry Hertscheg, VIWF Executive Director. “This event is not just about showcasing exceptional wines, but also about bringing people together in support of a vibrant, sustainable future for the wine industry.”
As a home-grown, not-for-profit event, the Vancouver International Wine Festival generates a positive economic impact for the local community. Participating wineries and their principals, along with thousands of event attendees, agent importers, exhibitors, and industry partners, all contribute to Vancouver’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Local restaurants, hotels, and businesses will benefit significantly from the influx of visitors, further solidifying the festival’s importance to the region’s wine culture.
Featured speakers at the festival include: Mark Barden, Dr. Monique Bell, Elaine Chukan Brown, Christine Campbell, Honore Comfort, Evan Goldstein MS, Alysha Harker, DJ Kearney, Erin Korpisto, Neal McLennan, Christian Miller, James Nevison, Keith Nicholson, Dr. Danielle Robinson, Paul Wagner, Dr. Damien Wilson, plus dozens of senior winery representatives on panels.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is on now and will run until March 2, 2025 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues. Tickets are available for purchase now at vanwinefest.ca.
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: VanWineFest.ca 24/7
Phone: 604-873-3311, toll free 1-877-321-3121 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Ticket prices include wine, food, gratuities, taxes and service charge.
STAY IN TOUCH
For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca and read our Quick Facts.
For a snapshot of event availability, click on the Festival at a Glance. Browse the Tasting Room Program for information on what wines are being poured at the International Festival Tastings and Trade Tastings.
X: Follow @VanWineFest for announcements, including e-news, festival updates & media releases. Join the conversation at #VIWF.
Facebook / Instagram: @VanWineFest
Youtube: @Playhousewine
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vancouver-international-wine-festival
ABOUT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Canada’s premier wine show marks its 46th edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 22-March 2, 2025. The festival is showcasing 120 wineries from 15 countries, featured in 43 events over eight days. The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, is the main fundraising event of the festival and kicked off the festival on Saturday, February 22 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Trade Days takes place Wednesday, February 26-Friday, February 28. The festival is consistently ranked the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash and was named one of the world’s top 10 wine trade shows by Wine International Association. The festival is produced by the Vancouver International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and festival partners; and raise funds for the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society. Since inception in 1979, the festival has raised more than $10.2 million for the performing arts. Major sponsors are Delta Air Lines and The Vancouver Sun; major industry partners are the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BCLIQUOR, and the Import Vintners & Spirits Association. The Vancouver International Wine Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
ABOUT BARD ON THE BEACH
Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals, presented on the waterfront at Sen?á?w/Vanier Park. The festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and popular special events in two performance tents every June through September. Over 2 million patrons have experienced Bard since its inception, growing to annual attendance close to 100,000. Next year’s festival runs June to September 2025, and scheduled plays include Much Ado About Nothing, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], and The Dark Lady. Bard also offers a range of education programs for learners from eight to 80. Full details and education program information are at bardonthebeach.org.
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