The Vancouver International Wine Festival features dozens of special restaurant dinners, wine tastings, seminars and other wine-themed events.
In 2023 the festival runs from Saturday, April 22nd, until Sunday, April 30th.
This article describes just some of the events that are taking place in 2023. To learn about them, continue reading or visit vanwinefest.ca.
TIP: If want to make a holiday out of your wine festival experience, check out the deal being offered by StayVancouverHotels.com. For a limited time, if you book a hotel in downtown Vancouver through that website, you can get a free ticket to one of the International Festival Tastings events (which is worth up to $135)!
For tickets and the event’s official website, click VIWF 2023.
2023 Wine Festival Dinners, Seminars and Other Events
The Vancouver Wine Festival has a number of events taking place every day of the week between April 22nd and 30th in 2023. Some of the events are for the public. Others are for people in the wine industry. There are around 150 wineries from 17 countries participating in this year’s festival.
Below we list some of the festival’s various public events. As you’ll see, there is a wide selection of wonderful wine-related activities to choose from. They sell out fast though, so if you see one you like, book your tickets soon!
The International Festival Tastings are the festival’s biggest events. They take place daily from April 27th to 29th at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC East, which is actually Canada Place). Hours are from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on all three days, although there’s an extra tasting on the Saturday afternoon between 2:30 and 5:00 pm. Tickets for each event cost between $109 and $135.
(Note: Events are for adults ages 19+. Event times, locations and other details are subject to change, so check the official VIWF website links for exact details.)
Events Still With Tickets
Most events at the wine festival sell out in advance, and 2023 is no exception. As of the last time we checked (on April 28th), most of the public events had sold out. Some of the few events still with tickets available, however, included the following:
On Wednesday, April 26th, 2023
- Keynote Speaker Lunch with Evan Goldstein – a lunch with a Master Sommelier at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
On Thursday, April 27th, 2023
- International Festival Tasting – a large wine-sampling event featuring hundreds of wines at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
On Friday, April 28th, 2023
- International Festival Tasting – a premier wine-sampling event at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
On Saturday, April 29th
- Sabor Sudamericano – a lunch featuring South American wines at the convention centre.
- International Festival Tasting (Saturday Matinee) – a premier wine-sampling event at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
- La Crema de la Crema – a seminar showcasing South American wines.
- International Festival Tasting (Saturday Evening) – a wine-sampling event featuring around 150 wineries at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Signature Wine Festival Events
Below are examples of signature events with more information on the various days of the festival. Note: Our list is just a sample of the many events. For the full list of events happening in 2023, see the vanwinefest.ca website.
Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
Bacchanalia Gala at the Fairmont Hotel
(Sold Out)
In 2023 the Bacchanalia Gala takes place on April 22nd at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The event starts at 6:00 pm and runs until 11:00 pm at 900 West Georgia Street. It’s a formal event that features a 5-course meal with 9 different wines to try. There are also auctions (both live and silent) taking place throughout the evening. Tickets cost $575 per person or $4600 for a table of 8 people.
Click Bacchanalia Gala for more information.
For tickets and the event’s official website, click VIWF 2023.
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023
Icons of South America at Five Sails
(Sold Out)
A dinner celebrating some of the most iconic wines from South America takes place at the Pan Pacific Hotel‘s Five Sails restaurant from 6:30 to 10:00 pm. The venue is located on the “R” level at Canada Place. Wines on offer are from Arboleda, Seña and Viñedo Chadwick. Tickets cost about $175. Click Icons of South America for more information.
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023
Bodega Garzón Uruguay Dinner
(Sold Out)
This event is an exploration of the award-winning Bodega Garzón wines. It’s run by Mele Sosa who is a respected Enologist (i.e., wine scientist) and ambassador of the brand. The dinner runs from 6:30 to 10:00 pm on April 26th.
This event takes place at the Hydra Estiatorio Mediterranean Cafe Bar located in the EXchange Hotel at 825 West Pender Street. Tickets cost about $175. To learn more about the event, click Best of Uruguay: Bodega Garzón Dinner.
For tickets and the event’s official website, click VIWF 2023.
A Taste of Tuscany With Mazzei
(Sold Out)
This Italian-themed event takes place at CinCin Ristorante at 1154 Robson Street. Featured wines are by Marchesi Mazzei and include three Gran Selezione tastings. The food is Italian as well. Tickets cost $225. The event starts at 6:30 and concludes at 10:00 pm. For more information click A Taste of Tuscany With Mazzei.
California Wine and Taco Fest
(Sold Out)
A celebration of California wines happens from 7:30 to 10:00 pm on April 26th in 2023. The event is at The Pipe Shop at the Shipyards at 115 Victory Ship Way in North Vancouver. Tickets cost $69. There are California-style tacos and guests can vote for their favourite wine and taco pairings. For more information see the California Wine and Taco Fest page.
For tickets and the event’s official website, click VIWF 2023.
Thursday, April 27th, 2023
The Shape of Wine
(Sold Out)
This event is a guide through the different shapes of wine glasses and the effects they produce. It’s run by Alysha Harker and guests sample a variety of fine wines. The event takes place at the Terminal City Club at 837 West Hastings Street from 5:15 to 6:45 pm. Tickets cost $115 and include a set of glasses to take home. To learn more about the event, click The Shape of Wine.
International Festival Tasting at the Convention Centre
This wine-tasting event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC East) at 999 Canada Place. It’s one of the festival’s largest and most popular events.
In 2023 this event runs from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of April 27th to 29th. There is also an additional afternoon session on the Saturday. At this event there are about 150 wineries in attendance to provide samples of their specific wines. Admission ranges from $109 to $115 for this night. For more information click International Festival Tasting.
Friday, April 28th, 2023
The Global Cru
(Sold Out)
The Global Cru is a seminar based on the term “Cru” which means “growth” in French and refers to the quality or classification of a vineyard. At this event participants learn about the word and sample some of the world’s best wines. The event runs from 5:15 to 6:45 pm at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC East) located at 999 Canada Place. Tickets cost $95. For more information about the seminar and to register, click The Global Cru.
International Festival Tasting at the Convention Centre
This wine-tasting event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC East) at 999 Canada Place from 7:00 to 10:00 pm (as well as on Thursday and Saturday). At this event there are 151 wineries in attendance. Advance tickets for this evening cost $119 and regular tickets cost $125.
For more information click International Festival Tasting.
To see what a seminar looks like, check out the following video. It’s of a seminar event at the festival a few years ago.
WINE FESTIVAL CONNECTION TO SHAKESPEARE
Did you know that the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is a charitable beneficiary of the Vancouver International Wine Festival? It is, and every year Bard on the Beach receives a large cheque from the festival which helps the theatre organization to do what it does, which is providing first-class theatre to Vancouver folk and tourists each summer.
For details about the theatre company, see our article about Bard on the Beach.
Saturday, April 29th, 2023
PICA Kitchen Party
(Sold Out)
Vancouver’s top chefs take you on a tour of various kitchens in which each chef prepares food paired with a select type of wine. On the tour participants learn why each pairing is so extravagant. The event takes place by Granville Island at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts at 101-1505 West 2nd Avenue from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Tickets cost $109. Click PICA Kitchen Party for more details.
International Festival Tasting at the Convention Centre
This wine-tasting event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC East) at 1055 Canada Place from 2:30 to 5:00 pm in the afternoon and then again from 7:00 to 10:00 pm in the evening (as well as on Thursday and Friday evenings). At this event there are about 150 wineries in attendance.
Advance tickets cost $109 for the afternoon and $129 for the evening. For more information about the afternoon event, click International Festival Afternoon Tasting. To learn more about the evening event click International Festival Night Tasting.
To see what the International Festival Tasting event looks like, check out the following video. It’s of the event in 2020.
Sunday, April 30th, 2023
Spring Fling at the Vancouver Convention Centre
(Sold Out)
This popular event features live music and a lunch buffet, along with different types of wines from around the world. The 2-hour event takes place at the Convention Centre (VCC East) at 999 Canada Place starting at 12:00 pm. Tickets are available for $119 each. For more information click Spring Fling.
For tickets and the event’s official website, see the VIWF website.
LOOKING FOR A DOWNTOWN HOTEL?
StayVancouverHotels.com is a sponsor of the wine festival and a website where you’ll find competitive rates on downtown Vancouver hotels. Through its website you’ll also get a bonus gift when you make a reservation. To learn more see our article about StayVancouverHotels.com or click the above icon.
Other Information
To learn more about the festival and its various events, check out our main article about the Vancouver International Wine Festival or see the official VIWF website.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver’s February Calendar of Events
- Vancouver’s March Calendar of Events
- Vancouver Festivals & Events
- Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
- Lower Mainland Wineries
- Vancouver Breweries & Beer
- Vancouver’s Best Restaurants
Other Lower Mainland wine and other adult beverage-themed events include the following:
