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Cheers to 47 Years
The 47th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival closed on Saturday, March 14 after seven days and 33 events, featuring 112 wineries from 14 countries with a spotlight on the wines of France.
Thank you for being part of VanWineFest 2026 - watch your inbox for more stories and images, and follow @vanwinefest on social media to relieve memories with other festivalgoers.
Wine from the onsite BCLIQUOR store is making its way to select outlets in Metro Vancouver. Need a primer when looking for Tasting Room wines? Download or view the Tasting Room Program online. You can also visit the VanWineFest Ezfocus site to check availability of select wines in the marketplace.
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Spring Forward to VanWineFest 2027
Even as we wrap up the 2026 festival, we're ramping up plans for 2027.
The wine world returns to Vancouver for the 48th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, March 8-13, at the Vancouver Convention Centre East and other venues around Metro Vancouver. Add our festival dates to your calendar now!
Watch for more information in coming months as we confirm wineries, wine region partners, and thematic spotlights.
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Bacchanalia Gala Raises $114,000+ for Bard on the Beach
The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, the sparkling centrepiece of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, kicked off the 2026 festival on Saturday, March 7, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The evening began with a sparkling wine reception, followed by a spectacular five-course meal created by Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Executive Chef Mike Reid to pair with an addtional seven wines. Live and silent auctions, the wine wall and 50/50 raffle raised just over $114,000. Net proceeds from the Gala and the Vancouver International Wine Festival benefit Bard on the Beach, Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festival.
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Celebrating our Community
We live in challenging times, but the resilience, creativity, and determination of the food & beverage and hospitality communities are inspiring and worth celebrating. The 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards ceremony were held on Friday, March 13 at the 22nd Annual Awards Lunch, presented by ContainerWorld.
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Spirited Industry Professional
The Spirited Industry Professional award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service or promotion of wine in British Columbia. The 19th annual award went to Carmen D'Onofrio, Managing Director of Stile Brands.
Carmen is a cornerstone of the community and the festival: a member of the VIWFS Board of Directors for 10 years and a past chair of the Planning Committee. He was also a Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and is a current Director and Past President of the Import Vintners and Spirits Association (IVSA). He currently is the President of the Italian Canadian Sports Federation (ICSF) and has been President of the Commercial Drive Business Society for the last 20 years.
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Sommelier of the Year
The Sommelier of the Year award recognizes working sommeliers who consistently demonstrate an outstanding passion for marrying wine with food and a dedication to exceptional service. This year’s winner, Michael Littleford of This is Wine School, was selected through a hands-on competition organized by the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.
Michael was also awarded the 2026 Terry Threlfall Legacy Scholarship, which offers a unique multi-day wine experience in London, England, designed to expand the winner’s knowledge, skills, and exposure to the international wine scene. The award was established in the name of our beloved friend and colleague, Terry Threlfall, who passed away suddenly in October 2020.
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Wine Retailer of the Year
The Wine Retailer of the Year Award, presented by the Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA) and ABLE BC, recognizes outstanding retail locations that exemplify excellence in promoting the enjoyment of wine within our community. The festival solicits nominations from across the province to recognize a deserving location that demonstrates exceptional selection, knowledge, service, engagement and social responsibility. The 2026 winner is Marquis Wine Cellars.
The other 2026 finalists were Legacy Liquor Store, Liberty Wine Merchants – Commercial Drive, Sutton Place Wine Merchant, and Vessel Liquor Store.
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2026 WINE PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
In 2026, the Wine Program Excellence Awards (WPEA) was reimagined with a new vision, new awards, and new ways to recognize excellence in the restaurant community. The WPEA categories were revised to celebrate the diversity, creativity, and culture of the restaurant community, to recognize industry leaders, and to inspire continuing excellence. The media sponsor is Vancouver Magazine.
| | Clockwise from left: Calen Macdonald, Blue Water Cafe; Caitlin Fulton, Rge Rd; Mikiko Doi, Yuwa Japanese Cuisine; Maisie Ryan, Burdock & Co.; Peter Van de Reep, L'Abattoir; Sarah Doerksen, Dachi; Franco Michienzi, Elisa; Jamie Wheeler & Michael Hiram, Dear Gus Snack Bar; Tara Pole & Chris Rielly, Nightingale; Reverie Beall, AnnaLena; Robert Stelmachuk, Mott 32 Vancouver | | |
November 2026
Advance Tickets On Sale
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December 2026
Trade Days Pass On Sale
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January 2027
All Public & Trade Events On Sale
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March 8-13, 2027
Festival Week
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March 11-13
Tasting Room Dates
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Thank you to our 2026 Partners and Sponsors! Your ongoing support makes the festival possible.
Major Partners
| | Vancouver International Wine Festival | | Looking for festival highlights, wine suggestions and the latest festival news? Check out our Facebook page or follow us on X and Instagram for festival articles, reviews, videos, and photos. Join the conversation at #VIWF. We keep you in the loop all year round. | | | | |
