VANCOUVER, BC (February 13, 2017) — The Wine World Celebrates Canada at this year’s 39th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre February 11-19, 2017. Canada’s wine industry has experienced incredible growth over the past decade alone – with the number of Canadian wineries doubling in this time. With over 670 wineries from coast to coast and the industry employing over 31,000 people, now is a great time to come together and celebrate our great wines, and toast to Canada’s 150th year of confederation.
With 76 Canadian wineries at the show, and over 20 events featuring Canadian wine, the time is ripe to get to know Canadian vintages, the incredible winemakers behind them, and support locally-made wine. This year, Nova Scotia will be represented at the festival for the first time, through a delegation of 6 wineries. The line-up is bolstered by 10 Ontario wineries representing Lake Erie North Shore, Niagara Peninsula and Prince Edward County, together with 60 BC wineries, coming from four of the province’s appellations (Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, Similkameen Valley and Okanagan Valley) as well as its emerging regions.
For consumers, Wines of Canada brings you:
- Our kick-off Wines of Canada Party (Feb 15, 8pm – 10pm)
- Discover Ontario’s Cool Masterclass (Feb 16, 5:15pm – 6:45pm)
- BC Winery Pioneers & New Kids (Feb 17, 5:15pm – 6:45pm)
- Celebrating Canada’s 150th Lunch (Feb 18, 12pm – 2pm)
- Trans Canada Tasting (Feb 18, 5:15pm – 6:45pm)
The festival line-up also includes the Trade Days Conference, taking place from February 15 through February 17, with events highlighting Canadian sparkling wines, elegant cool-climate wines from Ontario and the diverse wines of BC, from Syrah and Pinot Noir to Riesling and Chardonnay.
“We’ve worked hard to bring you Canadian wines to suit every palate,” said Dan Paskowzki, President and CEO of the Canadian Vintners Association. “It’s 20 years since Canada was last theme country at the Vancouver International Wine Festival and we are delighted to be bringing such a strong contingent, showcasing pioneering winery principals and terroir-driven wines from across the country.”
Miles Prodan, CEO and President of the British Columbia Wine Institute, notes “the Festival Tastings are an excellent way to discover new BC VQA Wines, meet winemakers and enjoy a night out with friends, family and colleagues. The number of BC wineries at the show has grown year after year, and we are thrilled to be sharing this year’s spotlight with our neighbours to the east.”
“Ontario’s wine growing region is proud to be part of Canada’s national wine story. The Festival is a perfect setting for media, trade and consumers to discover why Ontario VQA wines are catching the world’s attention as they take their rightful place on the international stage,” said Sylvia Augaitis, Executive Director of Marketing at the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario.
Aside from this smorgasbord of events, covering minglers, educational seminars and food grazing events, Canada brings you some of the biggest names in the wine world to present and share their thoughts on Canada’s wines. UK-based renowned author & wine journalist, Jamie Goode, will be a panelist at a variety of trade events, as well as the Trans Canada Tasting. Panelists will also include Master Sommelier John Szabo and Chris Waters from Ontario, Maritimes-based journalists Sean Wood, Craig Pinhey and Moira Peters, as well as homegrown talent including Vancouver’s own DJ Kearney and Master of Wine Rhys Pender.
About Wines of Canada
Wines of Canada is a collaborative initiative of the Canadian Vintners Association and regional wine associations – British Columbia Wine Institute, Wine Marketing Association of Ontario and the Winery Association of Nova Scotia – to bring the country’s best wines to the world. www.winesofcanada.ca
