2024 Vancouver International Wine Festival

The festival will showcase 149 wineries from 12 countries, featured in 43 events over eight days. The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, is the main fundraising event of the festival and kicks off the festival on Saturday, February 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Trade Days takes place Wednesday, February 28-Friday, March 1. The festival is consistently ranked the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash, and was named one of the world’s top 10 wine trade shows by Wine International Association. The festival is produced by the Vancouver International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and festival partners; and raise funds for the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society. Since inception in 1979, the festival has raised more than $10 million for the performing arts. Major sponsors are Delta Air Lines and The Vancouver Sun; major industry partners are the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BCLIQUOR, and the Import Vintners & Spirits Association. The Vancouver International Wine Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

The Tasting Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre is where all 149 participating wineries gather to pour ~800 select wines. Discover exciting new wines, or return to old favourites, sipping from premium wine glasses. The room will also feature tasting stations featuring wines from California, New Zealand, Italy, and sparkling wines from around the world. You can also find wine-friendly food and beverage exhibitors offering tasting samples, including ARC Iberico Imports, Caffè Umbria, Clearsips, D’Oro Gelato e Caffè, FIJI Water, La Grotta del Formaggio, Rishi Tea & Botanicals, Soft Crush, Terra International Foods, and True Italian Taste. However, festivalgoers are encouraged to have a meal before attending as food quantities are limited. Other Tasting Room exhibitors adding value for attendees include BC Food & Wine Radio, ContainerWorld, Delta Air Lines, Enostore, Import Vintners & Spirits Association, and Riedel – The Wine Glass Company.

Theme Country: Italy
This is the year to discover the storied wines of Italy, with 71 wineries from 13 different regions featured at the festival. “Italy contributes some 20% of the world’s wine, yet for many it remains a relative mystery,” says festival keynote speaker, wine journalist and educator, Filippo Bartolotta. “The magical boot of Europe boasts hundreds of varieties, wine styles, interpretations, and breadth.” Stop by the Scopra L’Italia booth to start your Italian wine journey and learn more about Italian wines from local experts.

Vine Stars
What makes VanWineFest unique is the presence of global “vine stars” – winemakers, proprietors, senior executives – who come to Vancouver every year to pour and discuss their wines with festivalgoers. Each winery will be represented at events by a principal, a senior representative from the winery. Seek out the royal blue lanyards at tastings and special events to meet our vine stars face-to-face.

More Room, Smaller Crowds
Both the Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon sessions are guaranteed to have a lower capacity than Friday and Saturday evening, offering more room and more time to interact with winery principals.


More info