WEEKENDER | Vancouver International Wine Festival 2024

"Taste the world."

Waterfront—(February 29 to March 1, 2023) The 45th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival returned to its usual late February slot for another eight fun-filled days of wine-related hoopla and imbibing. Like always, VIWF entertained, wined, and dined thousands of eager guests across the city at various tastings, pairing meals, and signature wine events at two-dozen different venues.

Medici Ermete winery

Anchored by its four multi-day and night International Festival Tasting Room events held once again in its regular Vancouver Convention Centre West ballroom setting, overlooking Vancouver's scenic views of downtown's Waterfront, massive crowds of wine enthusiasts sampled hundreds of pours and varietals from around the world.

Riedel wine glass company

Starting in 1996, the festival has rotated between different wine-producing host regions or nations, with this year's festivities spotlighting the theme of "Discover Italy!" This was nicely highlighted by an impressive selection of proseccos and sparkling wines from wineries spanning generations of Italian family lineage.



VIWF by the numbers:

• 18,000 admissions
• 149 wineries from 12 countries
• 42 events (33 public and 9 trade-only) at 23 venues
• 25 participating restaurants, hotels, and caterers
• 1,150 wines including:
• 800 wines in the Tasting Room
• 350 wines at special events (dinners, seminars, etc.)
• 20,000 bottles poured and/or purchased
• Tasting Room size: 55,000 square feet

Bottega Gold prosecco

Since its inception in 1979, VIWF has raised over $10 million for the local performing arts sector and $1.9 million for the annual summer Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival from 2012 to date.


More | YVArcade / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2023 / Inside / Stir