Vancouver International Wine Festival 2020 / January 13, 2020 by Jenn Chan

It’s that time of year again - the Vancouver International Wine Festival will be here from February 22 - March 1, 2020. This is one of the most anticipated events of the year for me and for good reason. There are over 160 wineries featuring their top grapes and wines. It’s my time to explore new vineyards and flavours!

The 2020 festival runs February 22 to March 1 and welcomes 163 wineries from around the wine world. All participating wineries and their principals gather in the Tasting Room (February 27-29) to showcase their wines. This year, the festival’s theme is Vive la France!, with 42 wineries and their principals from France travelling to Vancouver to share wines from their storied terroirs. They’re joined by 121 wineries from 14 additional countries, plus wines from South Africa available only at a Regional Tasting Station in the Tasting Room. Overall, more than one out of five wineries are new to the 2020 festival.

There are a few options for tickets: Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge (Fridays & Saturdays), International Festival Tastings (Thursday to Saturday), and for the ultimate experience - The Gold Pass. The Gold Pass allows you to experience everything the festival has to offer with VIP treatment when you become a Gold Pass holder. A terrific value, this pass offers incomparable access to VanWineFest. A $768 value for only $519!

*** Did you know! You can score some free Wine Fest tickets? Find out how HERE !! If you’re wanting to sip on tons of wine and stay overnight in Vancouver, this is the deal for you!

For more information on Vancouver Wine Festival, CLICK HERE.

Hope to see you at the festival!

PRESS RELEASE | Vancouver Wine Fest Ticket Dates - NOW ON! / January 12, 2018 by Jenn Chan

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2018

VANCOUVER, BC (December 20, 2017) — The 40th Vancouver International Wine Festival returns for an eight-day celebration of wine and food February 24 to March 4 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues around Metro Vancouver. The 2018 festival features 173 wineries participating in 51 events. This year, the spotlight shines on wines from Iberian Peninsula neighbours Spain and Portugal, with 38 wineries from Spain and 20 from Portugal in attendance. Two very distinct nations with their own rich histories and cultures, the festival provides a fascinating opportunity to see how their winemaking and viniculture have developed in divergent and convergent paths over the centuries.

Tickets for all public events go on sale Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Tickets for Trade Days Conference go on sale Wednesday, January 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Tickets are currently on sale for the four International Festival Tastings, Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, the Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge, as well as the Gold Pass and Trade Days Pass.

From educational wine seminars, tastings and parties to lunches, winery dinners and the spectacular Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, VanWineFest offers something to please every palate. Browse public events online, click through the interactive Festival at a Glance PDF, or download the promotional brochure for full festival details. For those in the wine trade, see Trade Days events here.

FREE TICKET WITH HOTEL BOOKING
Starting in January, festivalgoers can get a free International Festival Tasting ticket (a $79 to $99 value) by booking a downtown hotel stay via StayVancouverHotels.com. Quantities are limited. The free ticket offer is available until February 15, or while supplies last. Saturday evening sold out well in advance in 2017, so book early. The StayVancouverHotels initiative is courtesy of Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and is an important cornerstone of the festival’s Don’t Wine and Drive program.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: VanWineFest.ca
Phone: 604-873-3311, toll free 1-877-321-3121 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
In person: 202-162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Stay in Touch
For more information, go to VanWineFest.ca
Facebook: /VanWineFest
Instagram: @VanWineFest
Twitter: follow @VanWineFest for news on tickets and sold-out events. Join the conversation at #VIWF.

ABOUT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Canada’s premier wine show marks its 40th edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 24 to March 4, 2018. The festival features Wines from Spain and Portugal and showcases 173 wineries from 15 countries (including 38 wineries from Spain and 20 from Portugal) pouring 1,450+ wines at 51 events to a projected 25,000 admissions. The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction opens the festival on Saturday, February 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The Trade Days Conference goes Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 2. The festival has been named the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash for five years running.

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 $9 million for the performing arts. Major sponsors are Delta Air Lines and the Vancouver Sun; major industry partners are the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BC Liquor Stores, and the Import Vintners & Spirits Association. The festival is made possible through the gracious support of our participating countries’ consulates and embassies.

Veuve Clicquot Yelloweek Brunch at Roof Garten / May 2, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Roof Garten is here for a good time, but it certainly won't be a long time. Slated to exist only in the summer of 2016 the restaurant / lounge is a bright, sunny, lavish space with a rumbling DJ booth and shimmering wait staff. Having been lucky enough to be the first customer through the doors on their first day I feel a kinship with this place which, no doubt, will last all summer '16.

The giant windows look out onto the corner of Granville and Smithe Streets, across from the Cinema Public House, and the entrance is just south on Smithe. I might suggest wearing sunscreen if you attend one of their signature Veuve Clicquot Champagne brunches as the roof is glass, the walls are glass and they enjoy unobstructed sunlight in the afternoon; an absolutely amazing atmosphere!

When you exit the elevator you will be amazed by the detail and level of finishings that have gone up in this "pop-up patio". I don't know know about you, but when I go to pop-up snowboard or shoe sale they often have a handwritten sign on the back of a piece of loose leaf they've staples to the wall and not professional signage costing, I'm sure, in the thousands.

The main focal point is a 30 foot long wooden table that rivals the giant Redwood Sequoia slab at the Long Table Distillery for which they're named. It sits alongside a DJ booth with enough equipment for a damn Kiss concert; you won't see any student alt/rock bands centre stage at Roof Garten!

Along with the Veuve Clicquot Champagne, which is divine by the way, we partook in some pretty incredible Caesars, the highballs were generous and well crafted and the beers came out icy cold and tasted like their draft beer equipment is tip top.

The food was also fantastic! I had, being brunch, a Crab Eggs Benedict and we also ordered a Breakfast Poutine. The crab was very nice, the eggs cooked to perfection in both dishes and they both paired well with our "shake off the rust from Saturday night" Caesars.

The managing partner at Roof Garten, Jens Marquardt, was on hand welcoming the many well-heeled patrons. Bottles of Clicquot, Dom and Ace of Spades were on constant parade to their final homes accompanied by large sparklers which celebrated the art of inebriation in a most fitting way! Go for the view, go for the food, go for the drinks or go for the crowd, but go; just go!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Easter Brunch at Arc Restaurant / March 27, 2016 by Jenn Chan

The Arc Restaurant at Fairmont Waterfront underwent a massive renovation in 2014 and as soon as you walk in you can see that it was money well spent. The sleek, curved interior, with its modern finishes and floor to ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the Burrard Inlet, North Shore Mountains and the bustling Canada Place Square and cruise ship terminal, is elegant and has a clean, upscale vibe. With the addition of a large patio it has become a fantastic place for dinner and drinks for tourists from the beautiful Fairmont Waterfront upstairs and locals alike.

The food is simply amazing! The crab is succulent and fresh and the meat was coaxed from the thoughtfully pre-cracked shell with minimal effort. The salmon tasted like it was pulled minutes before from the Pacific Ocean, a stone's throw from where you sit comfortably in your tasteful leather chair, the waters renowned worldwide for their salmon fishing. The sushi was a welcome surprise in its authenticity and expert composition and there was an extensive wine list from which to draw your pairings.

Got myself a plate of delicious seafood!

The desserts are rich and the options are plentiful. From the velvety, soft chocolate cake to the divine mousses there will be something for everyone.

The staff exuded professionalism, charm and dedication and truly go the extra mile to accommodate their guests. The Arc will welcome you and you will go back!

Thank you for having us Fairmont Waterfront!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan