Wine enthusiasts, mark your calendars for February 22 to March 2, 2025, as the Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF) returns for its 46th edition. Recognized as Canada’s premier wine event, the VIWF is a prestigious gathering that brings the global wine community to Vancouver for an extraordinary celebration of fine wine, food, and culture. This year, the festival shines a spotlight on West Coast US wines, offering a unique opportunity to explore the region’s rich viticultural heritage.
Founded in 1979, the VIWF has grown into one of the largest and longest-running wine festivals in the world, drawing wine lovers, collectors, and industry professionals from around the globe. Under the stewardship of Board Chair Arv Sooch and Executive Director Harry Hertscheg (CWE, DipWSET), the festival’s 2025 edition will feature an impressive 121 wineries from 15 countries. Over eight days, these wineries will pour their finest selections at 43 meticulously curated events.
The Heart of the Festival
At the centre of the festival experience are the International Festival Tastings, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. These tastings offer an unparalleled opportunity to sample and discuss wines directly with producers. Each winery will showcase 4-5 carefully chosen wines, creating a sensory journey through diverse regions and styles. Four public tastings and two exclusive trade tastings will transform the convention centre into a vibrant epicentre of wine discovery, complemented by food suppliers, industry exhibitors, and media representatives.
“Besides the, oh, 750-ish wines being poured by winemakers and principals from 170 wineries, there’s nothing like enjoying the big-city buzz of the room at Vancouver Convention Centre West, with that jaw-dropping view of the harbour,” says Kurtis Kolt of The Georgia Straight.
Festival attendees will also enjoy access to the BCLIQUOR onsite wine shop, where every wine featured at the tastings is available for purchase. With complimentary delivery to any BCLIQUOR location, the festival ensures a seamless transition from tasting to table.
Beyond the Tasting Room
The VIWF extends far beyond the convention centre, with an array of special events that elevate the wine experience. Highlights include:
- Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction: This glittering affair, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, is the festival’s crown jewel. The evening begins with a sparkling wine reception, followed by a five-course dinner paired with nine exceptional wines. Guests can bid on exclusive culinary and wine experiences, with proceeds supporting Bard on the Beach Theatre Society.
- Wine Seminars: Explore trends, regions, and styles in an educational setting, led by industry luminaries. As Terry David Mulligan of Tasting Room Radio describes, “One of the reasons the Wine Festival is so popular, is it’s a wine education class under the sails.”
- Winery Dinners: Intimate evenings at Vancouver’s finest restaurants, featuring expertly paired menus and insights from winery representatives.
- Food and Wine Pairing Events: Creative culinary experiences at top venues, showcasing the artistry of pairing wine with plant-based dishes.
“A magnificent opportunity to communicate with domestic and industry clients…. Our winery has grown with this community and this festival,” reflects John Skinner of Painted Rock Estate Winery in BC.
Trade Days: A Hub for Industry Professionals
For hospitality and wine industry professionals, the VIWF’s Trade Days are an invaluable resource. Spanning Thursday and Friday, these events include seminars, networking opportunities, and the highly anticipated Trade Tastings. The latter, presented by ContainerWorld, offers an exclusive platform for buyers and industry insiders to connect with producers.
Key trade events include the Principals Welcome Lunch, Celebrating Excellence Awards Lunch, and a range of educational seminars. Trade Days foster a dynamic exchange of knowledge and expertise, ensuring the festival’s impact extends throughout the wine industry.
Supporting the Arts
Since its inception, the VIWF has raised over $10.2 million for the performing arts in Vancouver. Bard on the Beach Theatre Society, the festival’s charitable partner since 2012, has received $2.2 million in support over the past decade. By attending the festival, participants contribute to this legacy of cultural enrichment.
A World-Class Experience
As Anthony Gismondi aptly notes, “It’s all about the interaction between the consumers and the producers.” From the grand tastings to intimate dinners, the Vancouver International Wine Festival fosters connections that deepen our appreciation of wine. For connoisseurs and newcomers alike, this is an event that exemplifies the art of fine living—a celebration of wine, culture, and community in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Tickets and Venues
The VIWF unfolds across Vancouver, with events hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre and the city’s top restaurants and hotels. Prices range from $49 to $595, inclusive of wine, food (where applicable), taxes, gratuities, and service charges. Learn more HERE!
Author Profile
- 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.
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