BACCHANALIA GALA DINNER + AUCTION RAISES $134,000+ FOR BARD ON THE BEACH

BACCHANALIA GALA DINNER + AUCTION
RAISES $134,000+ FOR BARD ON THE BEACH

The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, the sparkling centrepiece of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, took place Saturday, February 22, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Live and silent auctions and the wine wall raised nearly $112,000, while the raffle for two round-trip business-class tickets to anywhere Delta Air Lines flies in Europe, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $22,400.

The evening began with a sparkling wine reception, where roving volunteers helped guests register for the online Silent Auction. Following the reception, guests enjoyed a spectacular five-course dinner, created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, Mike Reid.

Honorary Gala Chair Ray Signorello, proprietor of Signorello Estate, opened the evening with a toast to the ongoing partnership between the wine world and the performing arts. Net proceeds from the Gala and the Vancouver International Wine Festival benefit Bard on the Beach, Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festival.

“The 2025 Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction was another remarkable evening of food and wine,” says Bard on the Beach Artistic Director Christopher Gaze. “Once the Delta Air Lines raffle prize was awarded, the dance floor was packed! The funds the Gala raised will give our unique Education programs even more impact and this generous support will help us teach and inspire thousands of young people across British Columbia. All of us at Bard say a huge thank you to the organizing team and to everyone who attended.”

Throughout dinner, guests were able to place their bids using their mobile phones on silent auction lots of exclusive and rare wines and wine experiences, while Master of Ceremonies Chris Gailus of Global BC and Christopher Gaze kept the evening flowing. During the dinner, chair of the Gala Auction Committee Tim Ellison hosted the exciting Live Auction, which featured once-in-a-lifetime wine lots and sensational wine travel packages.

“Private Banking 1859 is so proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction for the fifth consecutive year,” says Haleh Alexander, Regional Vice President, British Columbia, of National Bank Private Banking 1859. “Arts, culture, inclusivity, and innovation are all words that resonate for National Bank, and they are what the Gala is about, what the Vancouver International Wine Festival is about, and what Bard on the Beach is about. We are proud to support Bard on the Beach and their mission to educate youth in the world of arts and culture.”

The raffle for two Delta One International Business Class tickets, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $22,400. Net proceeds from the 2025 festival, contributed to Bard on the Beach, will be announced at VIWF’s fiscal year-end and in conjunction with the opening of the Bard on the Beach season in June. Next year’s Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction is scheduled for March 7, 2026.

The following dinner wines were generously donated by the wineries and their agents:

Tirriddis Sparkling Wines House Gris Brut NV, Columbia Valley AVA
Tirriddis Sparkling Wines House Rosé Brut NV, Columbia Valley AVA
Signorello Estate Hope’s Cuvée Chardonnay 2021, Napa Valley AVA
Robert Mondavi Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Napa Valley AVA
Calera Pinot Noir 2023, Central Coast AVA
Lingua Franca AVNI Pinot Noir 2022, Willamette Valley AVA
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, California AVA
McPrice Myers M Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Paso Robles AVA
Signorello Estate Padrone 2021, Napa Valley AVA

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: VanWineFest.ca 24/7
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.

STAY IN TOUCH
For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca and read our Quick Facts.

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vancouver-international-wine-festival

ABOUT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Canada’s premier wine show marks its 46th edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 22-March 2, 2025. The festival is showcasing 120 wineries from 15 countries, featured in 43 events over eight days. The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, is the main fundraising event of the festival and kicked off the festival on Saturday, February 22 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Trade Days takes place Wednesday, February 26-Friday, February 28. The festival is consistently ranked the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash and was named one of the world’s top 10 wine trade shows by Wine International Association. The festival is produced by the Vancouver International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and festival partners; and raise funds for the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society. Since inception in 1979, the festival has raised more than $10.2 million for the performing arts. Major sponsors are Delta Air Lines and The Vancouver Sun; major industry partners are the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BCLIQUOR, and the Import Vintners & Spirits Association. The Vancouver International Wine Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

ABOUT BARD ON THE BEACH
Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals, presented on the waterfront at Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park. The festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and popular special events in two performance tents every June through September. Over 2 million patrons have experienced Bard since its inception, growing to annual attendance close to 100,000. Next year’s festival runs June to September 2025, and scheduled plays include Much Ado About Nothing, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised][again], and The Dark Lady. Bard also offers a range of education programs for learners from eight to 80. Full details and education program information are at bardonthebeach.org.

Media release provided by Ruby Gillett, MILK Creative Communications. Image courtesty of VIWF.