The Vancouver International Wine Festival is pleased to announce the winery lineup for the 40th annual festival, taking place February 24-March 4, 2018. The eight-day wine and food extravaganza will showcase 177 wineries from 15 countries, including 38 wineries from Spain and 24 wineries from Portugal, this year's featured countries. They'll be joined by 115 wineries from around the world, pouring 1,500+ wines at 51 events. View the winery list here.
"This year, we are thrilled to welcome 62 vintners from Spain and Portugal, celebrating the incredible diversity of these storied wine regions," says David Hopgood, chair of the Winery Selection Committee. "It will be fascinating to explore the wines from these Iberian neighbours, with their distinct styles and grapes, and rich traditions of winemaking. The exceptional roster for 2018 also includes wines from 13 other countries, including 43 wineries from old world producers and 69 new world wineries, plus sake-makers from Japan, Oregon and Canada. In all, one-third of all the participating wineries are festival first-timers, providing many opportunities to discover new wines and producers."
The festival is headquartered at the Vancouver Convention Centre; in addition, more than 20 other restaurants and venues around the city will host winery dinners, lunches, seminars and wine minglers. The sumptuous Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, benefiting Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, kicks off the festival on Saturday, February 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; tickets and tables are on sale now. The heart of the festival is the Tasting Room, where all 177 wineries will gather for four International Festival Tastings. Discounted advance tickets for the International Festival Tastings go on sale Tuesday, November 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Discover Wines from Spain and Portugal
Spain and Portugal are two very distinct nations with their own rich histories and cultures. They share the Iberian Peninsula, however, so this festival will provide a fascinating opportunity to see how their winemaking and viniculture have developed in divergent and convergent paths over the centuries. More than two dozen owners and winemakers from Portugal and Spain will be in attendance, as well as other top executives representing their wineries and wines.
Festival week will feature 21 Spanish and Portuguese events, including vine star seminars, vintage tastings, winery dinners, a Spanish wine party to kick off the week, and a spectacular Saturday lunch featuring all 62 wineries.
Trade Days Conference
The Trade Days Conference, which runs February 28 to March 2, includes two Trade Tastings, presented by ContainerWorld, masterclasses and seminars, and two trade lunches: Principals Welcome Lunch, presented by JF Hillebrand, and Celebrating Excellence: 15th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring Wines from Spain & Portugal, presented by ContainerWorld.
Save the Dates
Advance tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 1 at 9:30 a.m.
All public events go on sale Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30 a.m.
All trade events go on sale Wednesday, January 17 at 9:30 a.m.
For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca.
