The 45th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival invites everyone to embark on a journey to Discover Italy from February 24 to March 3, 2024.
VIWF 2024 Facts
This renowned celebration of the grape will feature 149 wineries hailing from 12 different countries, including a special spotlight on Italy with 71 featured wineries. These esteemed participants will showcase a remarkable selection of over 1,150 wines across 43 events spanning eight days. The events will encompass winery dinners, informative seminars, delightful lunches, minglers, and the grand International Festival Tastings, making their return to the West building of the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Discover Italy
This year, seize the opportunity to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Italian wines, with 71 wineries representing 13 diverse regions. You can find all Italian wineries highlighted in a dedicated section of the Tasting Room, as well as at the splendid Saturday lunch event, La Dolce Vita. The festival week will be brimming with over 20 Italian-themed events, including enlightening vine star seminars, vintage tastings, delectable winery dinners, and a Pinot Grigio wine party.
The Wineries
From around the globe, Canada and the United States lead the way with a combined total of 43 wineries. France, Spain, Croatia, and Greece will represent Europe, and wineries will journey from Argentina, Australia, Chile, and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere. Sake brewers from Japan will also be in attendance. The Tasting Room will showcase nearly 800 wines, including many exclusive to the festival. If you’re considering stocking your cellar, the onsite BCLIQUOR store is the perfect starting point.
The Events
The festival’s main hub will be the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC), once again residing in the West building in 2024. Additionally, select restaurants and venues throughout the city will host winery dinners, lunches, seminars, and wine minglers.
Don’t miss the sumptuous Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, which benefits the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and will take place on Saturday, February 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
The heartbeat of the festival remains the Tasting Room at VCC West in downtown Vancouver, where all 149 wineries will converge for four International Festival Tastings and two Trade Tastings on Thursday, February 29, Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2. Advance tickets for the International Festival Tastings will be available starting on Wednesday, November 15 at 9:30 a.m.
FREE Tickets
Festivalgoers can even score a free ticket by booking a downtown hotel via StayVancouverHotels.com, allowing them to partake in more festival events and savor award-winning dining in Vancouver. This offer runs from November 15 to February 15, while supplies last.
Vine Stars, Trade Days & Important Dates
A unique feature that sets VanWineFest apart is the presence of global “Vine Stars” – winemakers, proprietors, and senior executives who visit Vancouver annually to pour and discuss their wines with festival attendees. Each winery will have a key representative from the winery present at events, easily identifiable by their royal blue lanyards.
Trade Days, scheduled from February 28 to March 1, will include 10 distinct events. These include two Trade Tastings, seminars, masterclasses, and three trade lunches: a Keynote Luncheon featuring Filippo Bartolotta, Principals Welcome Lunch presented by HillebrandGori, and the Celebrating Excellence: 20th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring Italy, presented by ContainerWorld. The Trade Days Pass, covering a selection of events on the Thursday and Friday of Trade Days, will be available for purchase starting on December 13, while individual trade events will go on sale on January 17.
Mark your calendars with these Important Dates:
- Advance tickets and the StayVancouverHotels ticket offer go on sale Wednesday, November 15 at 9:30 a.m.
- Trade Days Pass goes on sale Wednesday, December 13 at 9:30 a.m.
- Winery dinners go on sale Wednesday, January 3 at 9:30 a.m.
- All remaining public events go on sale Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30 a.m.
- All trade events go on sale Wednesday, January 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Stay updated by visiting the Vancouver International Wine Festival website at VanWineFest.ca and peruse the Quick Facts for more information.
