Canada’s Premier Wine Show Celebrates the World of Wine this March

Canada’s Premier Wine Show Celebrates the World of Wine this March

All VanWineFest Tickets on Sale in January

Discover a world of wine at the 47th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, running March 7-14 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East and other venues in Vancouver. The 2026 festival features 113 wineries from 14 countries participating in 33 events, with a spotlight on France, as the festival welcomes 27 French wineries with wines representing nine storied regions.

The Grand Tasting Room will feature all 27 wineries in a separate section, with a themed Vive la France wine bar and regional tasting stations showcasing wines from Beaujolais and Bordeaux. There are opportunities to learn more about French wine and culture throughout festival week.

Take A Tour de France in Your Glass, a public seminar exploring seven classic French wine regions, each with their own unique characteristics and history. Members of the food and beverage and hospitality industries can choose from a trifecta of trade seminars, featuring a discussion on why industry leader Gérard Bertrand is Committed to Biodynamics, a new look at the global importance French wines at France: Terroir & Trends, and a detailed exploration of landscapes and soils in Beaujolais: Dig into Diversity.

“The Vancouver International Wine Festival is consistently at the forefront of industry trends when it comes to our wine seminars,” says Harry Hertscheg, VIWF executive director. “This year, we’re taking a deep dive into issues affecting the wine world, offering an unparalleled educational opportunity to members of the trade, and a glimpse into the magic of winemaking to the public.”

Festival seminars also reflect the international scope of the event, with Passport to Global Wines offering a journey through eight wine-producing countries, and the trade seminar Classic & Contemporary Australia bringing Wine Australia educator Mark Davidson back to Vancouver to share how new varieties and viticultural practices have changed the look and feel of Australian fine wine.

Festival week is full of ways to expand your wine horizons. Grand tastings, intimate seminars, themed minglers, elegant dinners, and lively lunches – there’s an event for every budget and every appetite.

“There’s always something new to taste and experience at VanWineFest,” adds Hertscheg. “Every journey through the Tasting Room is a unique and personal experience. Each year, anywhere from 25-30% of wineries are new to the festival, and three-quarters of the wines poured in the Tasting Room are only available at select restaurants and private wine shops, if at all. This year, we’re partnering with EZfocus to help festivalgoers find and purchase those wines post-festival.”

VanWineFest also celebrates Metro Vancouver’s extraordinary culinary scene, with curated winery dinners at top restaurants, while the newly re-imagined Wine Program Excellence Awards pay tribute to the diversity, creativity, and culture of the world-class restaurant community. The festival is also partnering with LaSalle College and the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts to provide dynamic work experiences for culinary students at our Saturday lunches.

Tickets are currently on sale for four International Festival Tastings (IFT) and the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859. For those looking for a full festival experience, the IFT Pass includes all four IFTs. A two-day Trade Pass is also available for members of the hospitality industry.

• Winery dinners on sale Wednesday, January 14 at 9:30 a.m. 
• All remaining public events on sale Wednesday, January 21 at 9:30 a.m.
• Trade Days events on sale Wednesday, January 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Browse all public events online or click through the interactive Festival at a Glance PDF for full festival details. For those in the hospitality and food and beverage industries, visit the Trade Days website.

BOOK A HOTEL, GET FREE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TASTING TICKETS!
Turn your tasting into a weekend trip! Book a stay at one of StayVancouverHotels.com’s 43 downtown hotels and receive a free International Festival Tasting ticket (a $119 to $129 value) to the session of your choice. Book two or more nights and receive two free tickets. Quantities are limited and the offer is only available until February 26, 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
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.)
All ticket prices include wine, food (if a food event), gratuities, taxes and service charge.