Vintners Brunch Wine and Food Pairing Competition

Up until 2020, Vintners Brunch took guests on a tour of some of the city’s top restaurants and the world’s great wines, all in one room. Each tasting station featured one dish paired specifically with one wine. Since the pandemic, it has not been possible to replicate this event, so Vintners Brunch is currently on hold until further notice.

In 2020, a quartet of judges, including Hired Belly wine writer Tim Pawsey, food, drink and travel writer Joanne Sasvari, sommelier Josh Clark of Victoria’s Il Terrazzo, and Harry Hertscheg, VIWF executive director,  sampled and tasted their way through all the offerings and had the difficult job of choosing the winner and runners-up in the annual Judges’ Choice Vintners Brunch Wine & Food Pairing Competition. As well Vintners Brunch attendees voted on their favourite pairing in the People’s Choice Award.

2020 Judges’ Choice Winner:

Salmon Pastrami with Quails Egg, House English Muffin and Lemon Balm

paired with

Culmina Family Estate Winery
Unicus (Grüner Veltliner) 2018

Lobster, Onion Quiche Tart, Tomato Jam, Micro Greens Salad, Dijon Vinaigrette

paired with

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Prayers of Saints Chardonnay 201

Braised Veal Cheeks, Potato Mash, and Soljanka

paired with

Tommasi Family Estates
Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2016

Lobster, Onion Quiche Tart, Tomato Jam, Micro Greens Salad, Dijon Vinaigrette

paired with

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Prayers of Saints Chardonnay 2018

Previous winners:

David Mueller, Bauhaus Restaurant (2019)
Poyan Danesh, Ocean Mama Seafood (2018)
Gaspar Jovino Brites & Giorgia Zanone, D’oro Gelato & Caffè (2017)
Mathew Koyanagai, Railtown Catering (2016)
Nicholas Hipperson, Farm 2 Fork (2015)
Wayne Sych, Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House (2014)
Alvin Pillay, Killjoy Barbers (2013)
Scott Kidd, LIFT (2012)
Neil Taylor, Cibo Trattoria (2011)
Jonathan Chovancek, Culinary Capers Catering (2010)
Blair Rasmussen, Vancouver Convention Centre (2009)
Tim Muehlbauer, Northwest Culinary Academy (2008)

Thank you to all the restaurants and wineries that participated in the 2020 Vintners Brunch