I am sure many of us wine lovers in BC have been waiting to hear about the theme region and wine spotlight for the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2023. Also info on buying tickets and passes. The press release was released today. Read on!
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VANCOUVER, B.C. (December 1, 2022): The Vancouver International Wine Festival is excited to announce the winery line-up for the 44th annual festival, which takes place April 22-30, 2023. This spring wine and food extravaganza returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) and other venues, with 152 wineries from 17 countries, featured at 36 events over eight days. The festival will feature South America as the 2023 theme region, with a global spotlight on sparkling wine.
CELEBRATING SOUTH AMERICA
The festival is featuring a specific region of the wine world for the first time since 2020, with South America in the spotlight for 2023. Forty-four wineries from four countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay – will be sharing their wines and their stories with festivalgoers in the Tasting Room and at special events throughout festival week.
The festival is pleased to welcome Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein, president of Full Circle Wine Solutions and Master the World, and a renowned wine writer and educator, as this year’s keynote speaker.
“It is so exciting to be coming to the 2023 VIWF to lead the charge for and excitement over the featured theme of South America and her wines,” says Goldstein. “No continent outside western Europe has as pronounced and broad an impact on the world of wine as South America and her 10 wine producing nations. From Carmenere to Malbec, Torrontés to Tannat, the festival will offer up an array of selections supported by seminars and tastings extolling their collective virtues.”
The festival is also hosting Patricio Tapia, author, critic, and Decanter Magazine’s South America expert, who will share his knowledge with consumers and members of the trade throughout festival week.
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152 Wineries from 17 Countries, Featuring South America
 2023 VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL: VANCOUVER, B.C. (December 1, 2022): The Vancouver International Wine Festival is excited to announce the winery line-up for the 44th annual festival, which takes place April 22-30, 2023. This spring wine and food extravaganza returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) and other venues, with 152 wineries from 17 countries, featured at 36 events over eight days. The festival will feature South America as the 2023 theme region, with a global spotlight on sparkling wine. CELEBRATING SOUTH AMERICA The festival is featuring a specific region of the wine world for the first time since 2020, with South America in the spotlight for 2023. Forty-four wineries from four countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay – will be sharing their wines and their stories with festivalgoers in the Tasting Room and at special events throughout festival week. The festival is pleased to welcome Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein, president of Full Circle Wine Solutions and Master the World, and a renowned wine writer and educator, as this year’s keynote speaker. “It is so exciting to be coming to the 2023 VIWF to lead the charge for and excitement over the featured theme of South America and her wines,” says Goldstein. “No continent outside western Europe has as pronounced and broad an impact on the world of wine as South America and her 10 wine producing nations. From Carmenere to Malbec, Torrontés to Tannat, the festival will offer up an array of selections supported by seminars and tastings extolling their collective virtues.” The festival is also hosting Patricio Tapia, author, critic, and Decanter Magazine’s South America expert, who will share his knowledge with consumers and members of the trade throughout festival week. THE WINE WORLD IS COMING VanWineFest 2023 will welcome 152 different producers from 17 countries, more than 25% of them attending the festival for the first time. “In addition to the four countries and 44 wineries from South America, we have a strong contingent travelling from Europe,” says Mark Taylor, co-chair of the VIWF Winery Selection Committee. “Italy leads the way with 26 wineries, but France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, and Spain are also well represented. The New World is out in force, with Canada and the US combining for 48 wineries in attendance, and returning favourites travelling from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. In total, there will be more than 800 wines in the Tasting Room to discover, marking a return to pre-pandemic numbers. “As well, our global spotlight, sparkling wine, will bring the best bubbles from around the wine world, with Champagne and Crémant from France, Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, and other superb sparklers featured in events throughout festival week and in the Tasting Room.” The festival is headquartered at the Vancouver Convention Centre; in addition, restaurants and venues around the city will host winery dinners, lunches, seminars, and wine minglers. The sumptuous Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, and benefiting Bard on the Beach, will take place on Saturday, April 22 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The heart of the festival is the Tasting Room in VCC East, where all 152 wineries will gather for four International Festival Tastings and two Trade Tastings on Thursday, April 27, Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29. SAVE ON ADVANCE TICKETS Advance tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 14 at 9:30 a.m. in time for holiday gift giving. In the spirit of savings, festivalgoers can save $6 off the regular price of tickets to the International Festival Tastings and $30 off the Super Pass. “We’re delighted to offer holiday savings for festivalgoers on the 2023 Tasting Room,” said Harry Hertscheg, VIWF executive director. “Tickets make a great gift for the wine lover on your list, and you can easily buy them online. Best of all, the ticket price you see is the amount you pay. No extra charges or surprises upon check out!” International Festival Tastings (IFT) Advance tickets for evening tastings, 7 to 10 p.m., are $109 for Thursday, $119 for Friday and $129 for Saturday. The Saturday matinee tasting from 2:30 to 5 p.m. is available for the advance price of $109. Only a limited number of tickets are available at the advance rate for each of the four sessions. Once the advance allotment sells out, tickets may be purchased at regular prices. For those wanting the full tasting experience, Super Passes also go on sale December 14 at the advance rate of only $460 (regular price $490). Super Passes include access to all six tastings (four public IFTs and two Trade Tastings, presented by ContainerWorld) and the exclusive Festival Toast VIP reception. Purchased individually, the Super Pass events are valued at $689. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TASTINGS HIGHLIGHTS The Tasting Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre is where all 152 participating wineries gather to pour ~740 select wines. Discover exciting new wines, or return to old favourites, sipping from premium wine glasses. The room will also feature dozens of wines at regional tasting stations from around the world, plus a sparkling wine booth. You can find wine-friendly food and beverage exhibitors offering tasting samples, including ARC Iberico Imports, Caffè Umbria, D’Oro Gelato e Caffè, FIJI Water, La Grotta del Formaggio, Rishi Tea & Botanicals, and Terra International Foods. Festivalgoers, however, are encouraged to have a meal before attending as food quantities are limited. More Room, Smaller crowds BC Liquor Stores Festival Wine Shop Vine Stars BOOK A HOTEL, GET A FREE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TASTING TICKET! Save, sip, and stay safe! Book a stay at one of StayVancouverHotels.com’s 42 downtown hotels and receive a free International Festival Tasting ticket (a $115 to $135 value at regular rates) to the session of your choice. This offer is only available from December 14 until April 13 or while allocations last, so book early to taste for free. The StayVancouverHotels.com initiative is an important cornerstone of the festival’s Don’t Wine and Drive program. HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS TRADE DAYS Trade Days, which run April 26-28, will feature 10 events, including two Trade Tastings, presented by ContainerWorld, seminars and masterclasses, and three trade lunches: a Keynote Speaker Lunch featuring Evan Goldstein MS; Principals Welcome Lunch, presented by HillebrandGori; and Celebrating Excellence: 19th Annual Awards Lunch, presented by ContainerWorld. The Trade Days Pass, which includes a selection of events on the Thursday and Friday of Trade Days, goes on sale February 1, while individual trade events go on sale March 15. STAY IN TOUCH For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca. |
