Gala Raises $114,000+ for Bard
The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, the sparkling centrepiece of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, took place Saturday, March 7, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Live and silent auctions, the wine wall and 50/50 raffle raised just over $114,000. Net proceeds from the Gala and the Vancouver International Wine Festival benefit Bard on the Beach, Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festival.
The evening began with a sparkling wine reception, where roving volunteers helped guests register for the online Silent Auction. Following the reception, guests enjoyed a spectacular five-course dinner, created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, Mike Reid.
“The 2026 Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction was another extraordinary evening of food and wine,” says Bard on the Beach Artistic Director Christopher Gaze. “From the first sip of sparkling wine to the last moves on the dance floor, the room was buzzing with excitement and enjoyment. The funds the Gala raised will give our unique Education programs even more impact, and this generous support will help us teach and inspire thousands of young people across British Columbia. All of us at Bard say a huge thank you to the organizing team and to everyone who attended.”
Throughout dinner, guests were able to place their bids using their mobile phones on silent auction lots of exclusive and rare wines and wine experiences, while Master of Ceremonies Chris Gailus of Global BC and Christopher Gaze kept the evening flowing. During the dinner, auctioneer extraordinaire Howard Blank, assisted by the Gala Auction Committee chair Tim Ellison, encouraged enthusiastic bidding during the Live Auction, which featured once-in-a-lifetime wine lots and sensational experience packages.
“Private Banking 1859 is so proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction for the sixth consecutive year,” says Haleh Alexander, Regional Vice President, British Columbia, of National Bank Private Banking 1859. “Arts, culture, inclusivity, and innovation are all words that resonate for National Bank, and they are what the Gala is about, what the Vancouver International Wine Festival is about, and what Bard on the Beach is about. We are proud to support Bard on the Beach and their mission to educate youth in the world of arts and culture.”
The following dinner wines were generously donated by the wineries and their agents:
Champagne Esterlin Brut Éclat NV, Champagne, France
Pfaff Crémant d’Alsace Extra Brut “Zero Dosage” NV, Alsace, France
Chartron et Trébuchet Pouilly-Fuissé 2024, Bourgogne, France
Unsworth Vineyards “Unsworth Vineyard” Pinot Gris 2023, Cowichan Valley, B.C.
Maison Louis Jadot “Couvent des Jacobins” Pinot Noir 2022, Bourgogne, France
JoieFarm Winery “En Famille” Pinot Noir 2022, Okanagan, B.C.
Château de Carles Haut-Carles Fronsac 2016, Bordeaux, France
Bodegas Olarra Cerro Añón Gran Reserva 2019, Rioja, Spain
Cramele Cotnari Castel Vl?doianu Feteasc? Neagr? 2019, Cotnari, Romania
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.)
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 and read our Quick Facts.
X: Follow @VanWineFest for announcements, including e-news, festival updates & media releases. Join the conversation at #VIWF.
Facebook / Instagram: @VanWineFest
YouTube: @Playhousewine
LinkedIn: vancouver-international-wine-festival
ABOUT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Canada’s premier wine show marks its 47th edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from March 7-14, 2026. The festival will showcase 112 wineries from 14 countries, featured in 33 events over seven 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, March 7 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Trade Days takes place Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13. 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 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 $10.3 million for the performing arts. Major sponsor is 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 2026, and scheduled plays include The Merry Wives of Windsor, Macbeth, Goblin: Oedipus, and Antigone. 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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Media Contact:
Kellie Cassidy, MILK Creative Communications
kellie@thinkmilk.ca
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