Harry Hertscheg: Welcome to the 46th Vancouver International Wine Festival!

The media launch event was held again at JOEY Restaurant at Bentall Centre, just 2 short blocks from the home of the Vancouver International Wine Festival. The event kicks off the week of programming and the tasting venues, usually bringing wines from the year’s theme region. For the 46th VIWF the theme region is the US/Canada west coast, including British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California.

Speaking at the launch were Jason Yamasaki, Group Sommelier for JOEY Restaurants, the legendary Christopher Gaze, Founding Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, and our friend Harry Hertscheg, VIWF Executive Director (seen above).

What follows is a greeting from Harry, which was followed by a countdown from 10 to 1 by Gaze. Hurrah for wine in Vancouver, and congratulations to the whole team at VIWF for launching what is sure to be another great festival!

Remarks by Harry Hertscheg

“A warm welcome to all, especially those visiting from out of town. Who’s here from outside Vancouver? Let’s hear it for our out-of-town guests! Hospitality is at the heart of both Vancouver and the Wine Festival, and we are thrilled to host you.

“This year, we’re welcoming 120 wineries from 15 countries. What’s particularly exciting is that 70 of them are from the West Coast—stretching from British Columbia down through Washington, Oregon, and California. This is a fantastic opportunity to taste the incredible wines from these regions, including the Okanagan Valley, Walla Walla, and the Willamette Valley.

“Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. When this festival first began in 1983, it was known as the Vancouver Wine Festival and featured only wineries from California, Washington, and British Columbia. Over time, American wineries dominated the festival, but eventually, BC’s winemakers earned their place. Now, just look at us! Today, we celebrate a truly international festival that showcases wines from all around the world.

“It’s important to acknowledge and appreciate our visiting wine producers. Whether they come from Vancouver Island, the Okanagan Valley, Europe, the Southern Hemisphere, or south of the border, they are not just sharing their wines—they are staying in our hotels, dining in our restaurants, and contributing to our economy. More importantly, they are bringing their passion for winemaking and supporting our community in countless ways.

“So, over the next week, let’s extend our signature Vancouver hospitality to all our guests—wine producers and wine lovers alike. Wine has a special way of bringing people together, and we are proud to host Canada’s premier wine show.

“With that, let’s raise a glass and officially kick off the 46th Vancouver International Wine Festival. Cheers!”