Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction Raises Over $145K for Arts Umbrella

The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, the sparkling centrepiece of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, occurred Saturday, February 24, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Live and silent auctions and the wine wall raised more than $145,000, while the sold-out raffle for two round-trip business-class tickets to anywhere Delta Air Lines flies in Europe, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $20,000.

bacchanalia gala, viwf, helen siwak, folioyvr, ecoluxury, vip events, vancouver, bc, yvr — Image courtesy VIWF | Photographer: Christine McAvoy

The evening featured special guests, Honorary Gala Chair Howard Soon, C.M., and Academy and Tony-award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden. Ms. Harden spoke eloquently about the transformative nature of theatre in her life and the hope it brings to the lives of young people in these troubled times. She encouraged guests to bid often and high, as net proceeds of this annual fundraiser benefit the festival’s charitable partner, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.

“It was an extraordinary honour to have Marcia Gay Harden at the Gala, adding star power to an already glittering night,” says Bard on the Beach Artistic Director Christopher Gaze. “And we were thrilled to be back in the BC Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where guests enjoyed an incredible evening of wine and food. Once the Delta Air Lines raffle prize was awarded, the dance floor was packed! 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.”

The evening began with a Prosecco wine reception, where roving volunteers helped guests register for the online Silent Auction. Following the reception, guests savoured nine spectacular wines perfectly paired with five courses created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, David Baarschers.

Throughout dinner, guests could place bids using their mobile phones on silent auction lots of exclusive and rare wines and wine experiences. At the same time, Masters of Ceremonies Sophie Lui of Global BC and Christopher Gaze kept the evening flowing. During the dinner, Tim Ellison from The Vancouver Club hosted the exciting Live Auction, which featured once-in-a-lifetime wine lots and sensational packages.

“Private Banking 1859 is so proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction for the fourth consecutive year,” says Haleh Alexander, Regional Vice President, British Columbia, of National Bank Private Banking 1859. “This wonderful event, which supports Bard on the Beach’s mission to educate youth in the world of arts and culture, aligns so well with our values. I look forward to the evening every year.”

The sold-out raffle for two Delta One International Business Class tickets, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $20,000. Net proceeds from the 2024 festival, contributed to Bard on the Beach, will be announced at VIWF’s fiscal year-end and in conjunction with the opening of the Bard on the Beach season in June. Next year’s Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction is scheduled for February 22, 2025.

The wineries and their agents generously donated the following Bacchanalia dinner wines:

Tommasi Viticoltori Filodora Prosecco DOC NV, Veneto, Italy
Vini Tonon Camúl Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Brut DOCG 2022, Veneto, Italy
Cantine Volpi La Zerba Colli Tortonesi DOC Timorasso Derthona 2021, Piedmont, Italy
Azienda Agricola Bocale di Valentini Bocale Spoleto DOC Trebbiano Spoletino 2021, Umbria, Italy
Il Molino di Grace Il Margone Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione 2019, Tuscany, Italy
Azienda Agricola Marziano Abbona “Papà Celso” Dogliani DOCG 2021, Piedmont, Italy
Tenuta di Arceno Strada al Sasso Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione 2019, Tuscany, Italy
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018, Tuscany, Italy
Giuseppe Campagnola Caterina Zardini Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2018, Veneto, Italy
MASI Agricola Mezzanella Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Amandorlato 2017, Veneto, Italy
Azienda Agricola Marziano Abbona Tistin Roero Arneis DOCG 2022, Piedmont, Italy

For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca and read our Quick Facts.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.