Keynote Speaker Evan Goldstein MS
VanWineFest Welcomes Keynote Speaker Evan Goldstein MS and the Wine World to Vancouver
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is pleased to welcome acclaimed wine writer and educator Evan Goldstein MS as the 2023 festival’s keynote speaker. Goldstein is a noted expert on South American wine, the 2023 theme region. The 44th annual festival takes place April 22-30, at the Vancouver Convention Centre East and other venues in Metro Vancouver.
Goldstein will deliver his keynote speech at the Keynote Speaker Lunch, open to both the public and trade, on Wednesday, April 26, then moderate the trade plenary, Southern Exposure, on Thursday, April 27. On Saturday, April 29, he will co-moderate the public seminar on blockbuster South American wines, La Crema de la Crema, with Anthony Gismondi.
One of just 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide, Goldstein has authored four books, and co-authored several more. He is also a Founding Board Member of the Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA, and a contributing editor to the Oxford Companion to Wine, 5th edition, publication 2023). Not least, in tandem with business partner Limeng Stroh, Goldstein heads up two companies: Full Circle Wine Solutions (President & Chief Education Officer) and Master the World™ (Co-Founder & Chief Wine Officer). He recently became the first-ever sommelier for a professional major league sports team, the San Francisco Giants. This (very busy) people-person has a warm sense of humor that has won him friends and fans throughout the wine industry worldwide while spreading the gospel of food, wine, and food-and-wine-pairings through “edu-tainment.” According to Goldstein, you should be able to “laugh while you are learning.”
The festival also welcomes wine writer Patricio Tapia to the festival, who will co-moderate with local sommelier Christina Hartigan the trade-only seminar, A Tale of Two Terroirs on Friday, April 28.
Tapia studied journalism in Chile and oenology and tasting at the Faculty of Oenology at the University of Bordeaux. During his more than 25-year career, he has written numerous books and has contributed to magazines such as Decanter, Wine & Spirits and The World of Fine Wines among many others. Since 1999, he has published his annual Descorchados guide, one of the most important references for South American wines in the world.
As well, vine stars from the 148 participating wineries are travelling to Vancouver to present their wines at the festival. They’ll participate in educational seminars, team up with Vancouver’s best restaurants for exclusive dinners, and sample a selection of their wines in the International Festival Tasting Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Winery principals are identified by a royal blue lanyard at events and featured principals can be found on event pages. All event details can be found by clicking through the interactive Festival at a Glance, updated regularly with ticket sales status.
Tickets for the International Festival Tastings are now on sale. Tickets for winery dinners go on sale on Wednesday, March 1, while all remaining public events go on sale Wednesday, March 8. Tickets for the 10-event Trade Days go on sale Wednesday, March 15. For ticket information, visit VanWineFest.ca.
ONSALE DATES
- International Festival Tastings, Super Pass, StayVancouverHotels deal, and Trade Days Pass are now on sale
- The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, currently has a wait list for tickets.
- Winery dinners go on sale Wednesday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m.
- All remaining public events (seminars, lunches, and minglers) go on sale Wednesday, March 8 at 9:30 a.m.
- All trade events go on sale Wednesday, March 15 at 9:30 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024
Mark your calendars! The 45th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival returns to its regular late-February start next year, taking place February 24-March 3, 2024 at Vancouver Convention Centre West and other venues in Metro Vancouver. We’re excited to be shining the spotlight on Italy in 2024 and expect a full Italian festa when the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859 kicks off the celebrations on Saturday, February 24. You can whet your appetite for next year’s theme this year at Dine Italia, the sumptuous Saturday lunch at La Terrazza, three winery dinners featuring Italian wineries from Tuscany and Veneto, or visit the 22 participating Italian wineries in the Tasting Room. Italian wine expert Filippo Bartolotto will also be in town to co-moderate The Global Cru with James Nevison on Friday, April 28.
BOOK A HOTEL, GET A FREE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TASTING TICKET!
Save, sip, and stay safe! Book a stay at one of StayVancouverHotels.com’s 42 downtown hotels and receive a free International Festival Tasting ticket (a $115 to $135 value at regular rates) to the session of your choice. This offer is only available until April 13 or while allocations last, so book early to taste for free. The StayVancouverHotels.com initiative is an important cornerstone of the festival’s Don’t Wine and Drive program.
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: VanWineFest.ca
Phone: 604-873-3311, toll free 1-877-321-3121 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
All ticket prices include wine, food (if a food event), gratuities, taxes and service charge.
STAY IN TOUCH
For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca.
Twitter: Follow @VanWineFest for announcements, including e-news, festival updates & media releases. Join the conversation at #VIWF.
Facebook / Instagram: @VanWineFest
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vancouver-international-wine-festival
ABOUT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Canada’s premier wine show will mark its 44th edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from April 22-30, 2023. The festival will showcase 148 wineries from 17 countries, featured in 36 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 kicks off the festival on Saturday, April 22 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Trade Days takes place Wednesday, April 26-Friday, April 28. The festival is consistently ranked the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash. 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 nearly $9.9 million for the performing arts. Major sponsors are Delta Air Lines and The Vancouver Sun; major industry partners are the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BC Liquor Stores, 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 was established in 1990 with a mandate to provide Vancouver residents and tourists with affordable, accessible Shakespearean productions of the finest quality. Begun as an Equity Co-op, Bard is now a fully professional company engaging hundreds of talented artists, artisans, technicians and year-round administrators. Bard’s primary focus is its annual festival in Vanier Park/Sen?á?w, which annually attracts over 100,000 people. Bard’s other key elements include education and training initiatives for both the artistic community and the general community at large.
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