Today we were at the launch party for the annual Vancouver International Wine Festival. Hosted at JOEY Bentall, this was intended as an intimate way to get better acquainted with this year’s theme: West Coast U.S. Wines.
The 46th Vancouver International Wine Festival has started, taking place February 22nd to March 2nd 2025. This is when the “wine world comes to Vancouver”. It is Canada’s premier wine show exciting locals and drawing in international wine enthusiasts.
“The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. In 2025, the festival will feature 121 wineries from 15 countries, pouring and discussing their wines at 43 events over eight days.” (As taken from the website)
Of which includes the International Festival Tastings at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where each winery pours 4-5 wines for the public. “Additional wines are served at special events surrrounding the tasting room, including a gala dinner and auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing at top Vancouver restaurants and hotels.”
Worth noting is that, “Despite recent challenges related to trade and tariffs, all 1,000-plus wines being sampled at events and those for sale at the onsite BCLIQUOR Store remain unaffected. All 43 events will continue as scheduled, offering an opportunity to engage with and discover some of the world’s finest wines. The festival is looking forward to welcoming 50 wineries and their principals from our West Coast neighbours – California, Oregon, and Washington – who are travelling north to engage with the local wine community and contribute to the region’s economy. There will also be 20 participating British Columbia wineries, providing a unique opportunity for trade professionals and wine lovers to compare and contrast wines from all along the West Coast’s vast array of regions, appellations, and grape varieties.”
You can still purchase tickets at VanWineFest.ca.
Phone: 604-873-3311, toll free 1-877-321-3121(Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Ticket prices include wine, food, gratuities, taxes and service charge.
Today we would sip on a selection of delicious festival wines and enjoy an array of bites created by the JOEY Bentall One team.
As guests entered we were greeted with a glass of Unsworth Vineyards ‘Charme de I’le’ from Vancouver Island, BC in welcome. This was a refreshing start with faint green apple notes on the nose and tongue.
Then were then able to approach the bar and try any of the following: Wente ‘Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc from Central Coast, California; Accolade ‘Dolly Chardonnay, California; Lingua Franca ‘Avni’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon; and/or Ridge ‘Three Valleys’ Zinfandel Blend, Sonoma County, California. It was a bit of a free for all, first come first served.
I was partial to the Accolade’s Dolly Chardonnay with notes of white peach and Three Valley’s Zinfandel with smooth pepper and bold black berry. Half the fun was trying them all and then going back for what you enjoyed the most.
For small bites there were shared servings of charcuterie, Parmesan fries, roasted corn guacamole with chips, and panfried gyozas to nibble on.
The night also welcomed JOEY group sommelier Jason Yamasaki and we heard thank you’s from Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach’s Artistic Director. The evening climaxed with everyone participating of the 2025 Countdown helmed by VIWF Executive Director Harry Hertscheg.
