Dear Agents and Wineries: 

Time is running out to submit your applications for the 48th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, Canada's premier trade and consumer wine show, March 6-13, 2027. Winery applications, special event wine submissions, winery dinner proposals, and sponsored event proposals are open until Tuesday, June 30 at midnight (though we won't be checking until after Canada's birthday). Applications must be completed and submitted to be considered by the Winery Selection Committee.

The 2027 festival will shine a spotlight on Mediterranean wines and will continue to focus on events and initiatives that attract and engage new customers to wine. There will not, however, be an official theme region (and no additional theme region fees).  

Showcase your brand and sample your wines to British Columbia's sophisticated wine audience (Festival attendees spend an average of $5,000 annually on wine, both retail and while dining out). VIWF offers wineries opportunities to connect with buyers, owners, executive chefs, sommeliers and servers from throughout British Columbia, and beyond, through our Trade Days events. All Tasting Room wines will be available for sale in the onsite BCLIQUOR store. The average onsite sales per winery was ~$2,660 in 2027. Tasting Room wines will also be featured on the VIWF Ezfocus dashboard, which displays where wines are available in the marketplace.

You can revisit last year's successful festival in the 2026 Visual Report.

New York's BizBash consistently ranked the Vancouver International Wine Festival as the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada, and was named one of the top 10 wine trade shows in the world and the best wine trade show in Canada by Wine International Association.

For a detailed list of compelling reasons to participate, supplier testimonials, and marketing benefits, please share the following information with your staff, suppliers, and winery contacts: Reasons to Participate.

• Re-read the winery application email for full details
• Review the criteria for participating: Winery Application Guidelines
• Save on table fees by donating auction items: Gala Benefits
• Determine which events best fit your winery's festival objectives: Special Event Wine Submission Guidelines
• Showcase your winery at a sponsored event or winery dinner: Sponsored Event Proposal Guidelines / Winery Dinner Guidelines
• See a snapshot of festival week events: Planned Event Schedule
• Mark your calendars with key festival dates: Festival Timeline
• Learn more about the festival: VIWF Quick Facts
• Discover why your wineries should come in 2027: Reasons to Participate in VIWF
• New in 2027 - showcase your agency's spirits or RTDs: Spirit/RTD Exhibit Opportunities

• All participating winery tables will receive two complimentary tickets for the Thursday Trade Tasting and two tickets for the Friday Trade Tasting. These tickets are for bringing buyers into the room to enhance sales opportunities. Additional Trade Tasting tickets will be available for purchase at a reduced participating agents rate.
  
• Trade Tastings will be one session from 2-5 pm on Thursday, March 11 and Friday, March 12, but buyers and trade will be distinguished by their badges.
  
• The Awards Lunch is open to all participating wineries in 2027; showcase your wines to top trade in Western Canada.
  
• This year, participating wineries can also propose a dinner before festival week, subject to winery dinner criteria. Wineries selected to host a VIWF winery dinner will have $490 of their winery table fees returned once the event has been successfully held.
  
• Gala dinner wines only require a two-case donation in 2027, but will still receive $490 off their winery table fees.
  
• Wineries hosting a vintage tasting seminar commanding a minimum $125 ticket price will have $490 from their winery table fees returned.
  
• Agencies with at least one participating winery table will have the opportunity to submit a proposal for a Spirits / RTD booth in the room.