ABOUT THE AWARDS
Our mission is to reward restaurateurs who make the effort to produce an original and creative wine program. A successful wine program should offer consumers a well-selected choice of wines that harmonize with the food. The program should also encourage all staff to have significant wine knowledge that they can share comfortably with diners.

We believe a good wine list brings in customers. A great wine program in a restaurant encourages customers to come back for more – more choices, and more delightful and memorable experiences.

Our awards fall into five categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honourable Mention.

Click here to see a list of the 2024 winners.

HOW TO ENTER…
Applications for the 2025 Wine Program Excellence Awards are now closed. Winners will be announced at the 21st Annual Awards Lunch on Friday, February 28, 2025.

Applicants for the 2025 awards were required to do the following:

  • Tell us your wine philosophy (maximum 200 words), describe your staff education program, and provide copies of your current wine list and dinner menu, all in PDF format sent to the Awards Administrator.
  • Complete our online application and pay the non-refundable late entry fee of $245 (GST inclusive).

Restaurants must be open to the general public and geographically accessible to be eligible for an award.

Applicants for the 2025 awards are required to do the following:

  • Tell us your wine philosophy (maximum 200 words), describe your staff education program, and provide copies of your current wine list and dinner menu, all in PDF format. Send to awards@vanwinefest.ca
  • Complete the Online Application and pay the non-refundable fee of $195 (August 7-September 25, 2024).*

*(Late applications will be accepted between September 26-October 9 with a late entry fee of $245)

All submissions are carefully reviewed and critiqued by a panel of wine judges, who donate many hours of their time as consultants.

BENEFITS
All entrants receive one ticket to each of the following Friday,  February 28 Trade events ($158 value based on 2024 ticket prices)

  • Celebrating Excellence: 21st Annual Awards Lunch featuring U.S. Wines
  • Trade Tasting with Buyers Hour (1:30 p.m.)

Winners receive:

  • Verbal and onscreen recognition in front of 300 of your peers at the 21st Annual Awards Lunch.
  • A plaque received onstage for display in your restaurant – Platinum through Bronze winners.
  • Bragging rights on your restaurant’s website, wine list and menu with a digital decal.
  • Online listing and hotlink at VanWineFest.ca, promoted throughout the year.
  • Acknowledgement in WPEA media release, festival ads, e-newsletters, and social media campaign.
  • Opportunity to pre-buy additional Trade Days event tickets.
  • Feedback from the judges on areas for improvement.

JUDGING
Our professional judges consider the philosophy behind your wine program and how successfully your wine & food pairing goals match that philosophy. They look for your efforts in training all serving staff on your wine program. They also consider the patron experience. Is your wine list easy to understand? Does it look clean and professional? Is it free of grammatical and spelling errors? Finally, do the wines on your list offer real value and encourage consumers to try new wines?

For further information please contact: awards@vanwinefest.ca