Whether this is your first festival or your 46th, we have some tips to make your experience fun and fulfilling.
Choose Your Events
There are 43 events over eight days. While most people attend one of our International Festival Tastings (Thursday, February 27, Friday, February 28, and March 1), we also offer educational and engaging seminars, sumptuous winery dinners, fun wine minglers, and lively lunches. There’s something to please every palate and pocketbook.
Can’t decide on a Tasting Room session? The IFT Pass will give you access to all four International Festival Tasting sessions. The Gold Pass includes all IFTs and Trade Tastings, as well as three Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge sessions, and the exclusive Festival Toast.
Before You Arrive
Download the VanWineFest app, available on Google Play and the App Store.
Look through the Tasting Room Program, which will be posted on the website a week prior to the festival.
On Site
Arrive early for your event to maximize your tasting time. Seminars start on time, so you’ll want to be seated before the event begins.
Check your coat or large bag at the Bard Coat Check for only $2/item. All proceeds go directly to Bard’s outreach and education programs.
Pick up a Tasting Room Program to plan your route around the room.
In the Tasting Room
Taste the world! Try a wine from all 15 participating countries and the . Then enjoy light bites and non-alcoholic sips from our Tasting Room vendors.
Looking to up your wine game? The wine experts at the Wines for a Better Planet, West Coast Chard Bar, and Put Some Sparkle in Your Life wine bars can answer your wine questions. Or ask our vine stars (look for the blue lanyards) for the inside scoop on their special wines.
Preserve your palate. Pick up a spit cup with your wine glass. When you try a wine, use a spit cup or the rinse stations to dump your wine. Rinse your glass, then repeat. You’ll be able to enjoy the unique characteristics of each wine better.
Save your top sips. Make notes in the Tasting Room Program, give the wine a star on the festival app, or take a picture for a visual shopping list. You’ll want to remember what you liked later!
Take your favourite bottles home. You can purchase exclusive Tasting Room wines in the onsite BCLIQUOR store. Best of all, you can check your bottles, taste some more, and then have your wines sent directly to your local store.
Don’t drink and drive. Pick up a complimentary transit ticket at the Get Home Safe Booth in the liquor store. Better yet, take advantage of our partnership with StayVancouverHotels.com: book a downtown hotel room and you’ll get your tasting ticket for free (offer valid between November 13, 2024 and February 13, 2025).
