The Vancouver International Wine Festival features dozens of special restaurant dinners, wine tastings, seminars and other wine-themed events.
In 2025 the festival runs from February 22nd to March 2nd and the theme is the United States. Celebrating its 46th anniversary, this year the festival features 15 countries, 122 wineries, around 1,000 wines and 43 events over the course of its eight days.
This article describes just some of the events taking place in 2025. Keep reading to learn about the biggest events, and for the full list of what happens during the festival visit vanwinefest.ca.
For tickets and the event’s official website with all 2025 events, click Vancouver International Wine Festival.
Wine Festival Dinners, Seminars & Other Events
The Vancouver Wine Festival has a number of events between February 22nd and March 2nd in 2025. Some of the events are for the public. Others are for people in the wine industry only. There are over 120 wineries from 15 different countries participating at the festival this year.
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. In 2025 they take place daily from February 27th to March 1st at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC West). Hours are from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on all three days. There’s also an afternoon session on Saturday from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Tickets for each event cost between $119 and $139.
(Note: Events are for adults ages 19+. Event times, locations and other details are subject to change, so check the official Vancouver International Wine Festival website for exact details.)
Signature Wine Festival Events
Below are examples of signature events with more information about the various days of the festival.
Note: Our list is just a sample of the many events happening in 2025. For the most up to date information about the festival, see the vanwinefest.ca website.
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Bacchanalia Gala at the Fairmont Hotel
In 2025 the Bacchanalia Gala takes place on February 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 five-course meal with nine different wines to try. There are also auctions (both live and silent) that take place throughout the evening. Tickets cost $595 per person.
Click Bacchanalia Gala for more information.
Monday, February 24th, 2025
The Soul of Napa Valley
A multi-course dinner featuring several wines from Napa, Oakville and the Kalon Vineyard. The event takes place at The Roof at Black + Blue, located at 1032 Alberni Street in Vancouver. There are stories about Robert Mondavi and the event runs from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Click The Soul of Napa Valley for more information. (SOLD OUT!)
Tuesday, February 25th, 2025
Discover Paso Robles
Discover Paso Robles is an event held at L’Abattoir Restaurant at 217 Carrall Street in Vancouver. It takes place from 6:30 pm until 10:00 pm. The evening includes some of the best wines from Paso Robles paired with dishes by L’Abattoir’s own chef. Tickets cost $245 each.
For more details see the Discover Paso Robles page.
For tickets and information about other events, visit vanwinefest.ca.
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
Cruising California
A wine tasting and walk-about event that features wines from Golden State. There’s live music and food available as well. This event is held at The Loft at Earls Yaletown, located at 1095 Mainland Street. It starts at 7:30 pm and runs for two hours. Tickets cost $75 per person. To learn more click Cruising California.
To see what a Vancouver International Wine Festival event looks like at The Loft at Earls in Yaletown, check out the following video. It shows scenes of an event in 2023 when the theme for the festival was South America. As you’ll see, there was lots of wine as well as food and live music to enjoy.
(Note: The musician in the video performing at the event at The Loft in 2023 is Michael Fabro. In the video, towards the end, you’ll notice that he stops playing momentarily, but the music continues. That’s because the music is looped, where Michael is playing multiple parts, almost like a duet with himself. What you hear when he pauses briefly to adjust his guitar is what he was playing moments previously. He’s a talented musician!)
Southern Italian Renaissance
This event with Andrea Fabiano takes place at CinCin Ristorante at 1154 Robson Street. Featured wines are from Campania, while dinner is provided by the team at CinCin. Tickets cost $245 per person. The event starts at 6:30 pm and concludes at 10:00 pm. For more information click Southern Italian Renaissance. (SOLD OUT!)
Giusti at La Piazza Dario
A five-course dinner at the La Piazza Dario restaurant located at 3075 Slocan Street in Vancouver. Each course is matched with Giusti wines. The event runs from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm on February 26th. Tickets cost $175 per person. For more information about the dinner, click Giusti at La Piazza Dario. (SOLD OUT!)
For tickets and the event’s official website, click Vancouver International Wine Festival.
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
International Festival Tasting at the Convention Centre
This wine-tasting event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC West) at 1055 Canada Place. It’s one of the festival’s largest and most popular events.
In 2025 this event runs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of February 27th to March 1st. There is also an additional afternoon session on the Saturday. At this event there are about 120 wineries in attendance to provide samples of their specific wines. Admission costs about $119 for this night. For more information click International Festival Tasting.
The Shape of Wine
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 pm to 6:45 pm. Tickets cost $120 and include a set of glasses to take home. To learn more about the event, click The Shape of Wine.
West Coast Wine Allstars
Moderated by Evan Goldstein MS and Neal McLennan, this event features bold wines from America’s west coast region. There are drinks from Oregon, Washington and California. The event is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre (Meeting Room 109 in VCC West). It’s located at 1055 Canada Place. The event starts at 5:15 pm and runs for 90 minutes. Tickets cost $95 each. For more information see the West Coast Wine Allstars page.
For tickets and the full list of 2025 events, click Vancouver International Wine Festival.
Friday, February 28th, 2025
The Global Cru
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 pm to 6:45 pm at the Vancouver Convention Centre located at 1055 Canada Place. Tickets are on sale as of January 15th and cost $95 each. 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 West) at 1055 Canada Place from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm (as well as on Thursday and Saturday). At this event there are 121 wineries in attendance. Tickets cost about $129 per person.
For more information click International Festival Tasting.
Saturday, March 1st, 2025
International Festival Tasting at the Convention Centre
This wine-tasting event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC West) at 1055 Canada Place from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the afternoon and then again from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the evening (as well as on Thursday and Friday evenings). At this event there are about 120 wineries in attendance.
Tickets cost $129 for the afternoon and $139 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, March 2nd, 2025
PICA Kitchen Party
Vancouver’s top chefs take you on a tour of various kitchens in which each chef prepares food to pair with select wines. Participants learn why each pairing is so extravagant. The event takes place from noon to 2:00 pm by Granville Island at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts at 101-1505 West 2nd Avenue. Tickets cost $129. Click PICA Kitchen Party for more details. (SOLD OUT!)
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 provide first-class theatre to Vancouver folks and tourists each summer.
For details about the theatre company, see our article about Bard on the Beach.
For tickets and the event’s official website, see the Vancouver International Wine Festival 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 Vancouver International Wine Festival 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:
