Three visits, countless pours: our 2026 Vancouver International Wine Festival experience

There’s something about the Vancouver International Wine Festival that keeps us coming back year after year. Maybe it’s the wines. Maybe it’s the people. Most likely, it’s both.

Stacey and Mike had the chance to attend three separate sessions this year — from the Festival Toast through to a final Saturday afternoon tasting — and as always, it felt like travelling the world one glass at a time, without ever leaving Vancouver.

A strong start: opening night energy

We began at the Festival Opening Toast, hosted by Executive Director Harry Hertscheg, with remarks from Harold Munro and Christopher Gaze. It’s always a warm, welcoming way to kick things off — a room full of familiar faces, industry veterans, and wine lovers ready to explore.

From there, we headed downstairs into the International Tasting Room under the iconic sails of the Vancouver Convention Centre East. Our first evening was a mix of reconnecting and discovery — sampling wines from Italy, France, Argentina, and of course, British Columbia.

One of the most meaningful stops was catching up with Richard Da Silva of Da Silva Vineyards and Winery. Our conversation moved beyond wine, touching on family, his own well-being, and the legacy of Portuguese growers in the Okanagan — a reminder that BC wine is as much about people and history as it is about what’s in the glass.

Images from VIWF 2026:

Trade tasting: connections old and new

Friday’s trade tasting brought a different pace — a bit more focused, but no less social. We ran into Tim Pawsey early on, always a good sign the afternoon will unfold well.

We explored a range of international wines, including a crisp Esterlin Champagne, before circling back to BC producers.

At Adega on 45th Winery, proprietor Christa Lee McWatters and winemaker Karen Gillis shared new label designs and a standout 2022 Malbec Merlot. Nearby, Fort Berens Estate Winery impressed as always, with proprietor Heleen Pannekoek and winemaker Alex Nel showcasing the strength of Lillooet fruit.

We also spent time with Sage Hayward Vineyards, where conversations with winemaker Max Legris highlighted the unique challenges — and rewards — of making wine beside the Salish Sea.

From there, it was a tour of Spain and Romania (with a welcome education on indigenous grapes like Fetească Neagră), before returning again to BC. Stops at Azhadi Vineyards and a lively catch-up with friends at Vasanti Wines reminded us just how interconnected this community is.

We closed out the session with a great group moment alongside Spearhead Winery’s Grant Stanley — a snapshot of the camaraderie that defines this event.

Saturday: a global tour, BC at heart

By Saturday afternoon, the festival settles into a rhythm. You know where you want to go — and you leave space for surprises.

We ran into Evan Saunders, winemaker at Blasted Church Vineyards, whose wines continue to impress year after year. From there, a stop at Monte Creek Winery was a reminder of how far BC’s cool-climate regions have come — particularly their sparkling program.

It was also great to reconnect with Stefanie and Bernd Schales of 8th Generation Vineyard, where nearly two decades of estate-focused winemaking continue to shine. Their Riesling and Pinot Noir were standouts, as expected.

Internationally, we explored Croatia (thanks to the guidance of Maria Perko at Domovina Wines), revisited Spain through Chivite — including a beautiful single-vineyard Garnacha — and finally made our way to Portugal, where Vinha da Foz left a strong impression.

A festival that still delivers

As our final pours wound down, we crossed paths once more with Harry — understandably in good spirits after months of work bringing it all together.

The Vancouver International Wine Festival continues to do what it does best: bring the global wine community to our doorstep, while giving BC producers a well-earned place on that same stage.

For us, it’s never just about tasting wine. It’s about reconnecting, discovering, and being reminded — year after year — just how vibrant this wine community really is.

We’re already looking forward to the next one. Cheers!🍷

Authors

  • Mike Klassen is a Vancouver city councillor, communications professional, and long-time advocate for British Columbia’s wine industry. He co‑founded BC Wine Lover in 2007 with his wife Stacey, sharing stories from their travels through the province’s wine regions and spotlighting the people and places that make B.C. wine distinctive.

    In 2015, Mike led the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, guiding a province‑wide consultation that produced recommendations—later endorsed by industry plebiscite—that strengthened B.C.’s appellation standards and helped establish today’s sub‑GIs.

    His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Huffington Post, and Daily Hive, blending history, policy insight, and personal experience. Alongside his work on Vancouver City Council, Mike continues to explore vineyards across the province, champion local producers, and celebrate the evolving culture of B.C. wine.

  • Stacey Fruin is a passionate B.C. wine explorer, road‑trip enthusiast, and co‑founder of BC Wine Lover. A devoted cyclist and proud booster of the province’s wine community, she has tackled major charity rides including the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Bicycle Trek for Life. When she’s not discovering new wineries or planning her next culinary creation, Stacey can be found enjoying life in Vancouver with her husband Mike and daughter Sophie. Beyond her wine adventures, she is also the co‑author of the leading guide to basic B.C. company law.