Explore the 2026 Vancouver International Wine Festival! Discover French wines, global tastings, and travel tips for an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s best cities.
Vancouver International Wine Festival
If you have ever stood in a wine aisle, staring at a wall of bottles, feeling the distinct panic of choosing between a cool label and a grape you can’t pronounce, I see you. I used to be you. Years ago, my relationship with wine was simple: red or white? But then I took a trip up north to Vancouver, British Columbia. I was “convinced” to join some friends at the Vancouver International Wine Festival (VanWineFest), and it completely changed how I travel, eat, and yes, drink.
It wasn’t stuffy. It wasn’t just for people with cellars in their basements. It was a party. A global party held in one of the most beautiful cities on earth.
The 47th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival is returning from March 7-14, 2026, and if you are looking for an excuse to grab your passport and head across the border, this is it. Here is why you need to be there, and how to make the most of it.
Why Vancouver is A Destination for Food & Wine Lovers
City Skyline and marina of Vancouver from Stanley Park,BC,Canada.
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Before we even talk about the wine, we have to talk about the venue: Vancouver itself. I remember my first flight into YVR. As the plane banked over the water, I saw snow-capped mountains right next to the ocean, with a gleaming glass city in-between. It is one of those places that feels fake because it is so pretty and clean. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the world, and it’s easy to see why younger US and international travelers are drawn here. According to the 2025 American Express Global Travel Trends Report, 70% of Millennials and Gen Z prioritize trips that allow them to enjoy the journey as much as the destination— and Vancouver delivers on both fronts. The city’s walkable neighborhoods, breathtaking scenery, and electric food scene invite you to explore, savor, and enjoy every moment along the way. From casual local eats to high-end dining, and a coffee culture that can rival Seattle, Vancouver BC offers the kind of authentic experiences that today’s travelers crave. For experience-driven explorers, the VanWineFest is the ultimate event. The same report found that 60% of Millennials and Gen Z plan their travels around entertainment events, and a remarkable 82% look for one-of-a-kind, authentic experiences they can’t find anywhere else. Imagine sipping a Chardonnay while watching sea planes land on the harbor, with mountains framing every photo—this city doesn’t just host you, it immerses you. The festival takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre East, which sits right on the harbor and transforms a city adventure into an unforgettable sensory journey.
In short, if you want more than just a getaway—if you want to come home with stories, flavors, and memories—the VanWineFest in this extraordinary city should be at the top of your list.
Why Vancouver International Wine Festival is Attracting a New Generation
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Christine McAvoy Photography
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Wine festivals have a reputation. You might picture older crowds, hushed tones, and people swirling glasses with their pinkies out.
VanWineFest is not that!
One of the things that shocked me during my first visit was the demographic. It wasn’t just retirees; the room was packed with people in their 20s and 30s. It feels alive. It felt like a night out, not a lecture. And the data backs this up: According to recent festival statistics, 21% of attendees are aged 25-34 and another 21.5% are aged 35-44. Add in the 24.5% aged 45-54 and 21% aged 55-64, and you’ve got an event that truly brings together a broad mix—in fact, only 9% of festival goers are 65 or older, smashing the stereotype that wine events are for retirees. Plus, with a nearly 50/50 split between men and women, it’s as diverse as it is lively. For the younger US consumer looking for unique experiences and social connection, the festival is what you’re looking for. The atmosphere is inclusive. You will see groups of friends dressed up for a night out, couples on dates, and solo travelers making new friends at the tasting tables. It’s social, it’s loud (in a good way), and it is incredibly fun—an authentic reflection of what a younger, experience-hungry audience is looking for.
Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026: A Spotlight on France
Every year, the festival features a theme country. For 2026, they are rolling out the red carpet for France. If French wine intimidates you, this is the perfect place to get over that fear. The festival is welcoming 27 French wineries representing nine storied regions. They are setting up a special section in the Grand Tasting Room with a “Vive la France” wine bar. You can expect regional tasting stations showcasing wines from Beaujolais and Bordeaux. If you have ever wanted to understand the hype around French wine but didn’t want to spend $100 on a bottle you might not like, this is your chance to taste through the regions without the risk.
Explore More: A Global Wine Tour Beyond France
While France is the star, the supporting cast is massive. The 2026 festival features 113 wineries from 14 countries participating in 33 events. The “Passport to Global Wines” seminar series offers a journey through eight different wine-producing countries. It’s like a gap year in a glass.
Vancouver International Wine Festival Grand Tasting Room: The Main Event
If you only do one thing, get tickets to an International Festival Tasting (IFT). This is the heart of the festival. Visualize a massive hall filled with rows of winery tables. You walk in, grab a glass, and you are loose. You can wander from Argentina to New Zealand, then hop over to Italy and finish in France.
Harry Hertscheg, the VanWineFest executive director, said it succinctly: “Every journey through the Tasting Room is a unique and personal experience.”
He noted that about 25-30% of wineries are new to the festival each year. Plus, three-quarters of the wines poured aren’t even available in standard liquor or wine stores. You are tasting the rare stuff, the special stuff, the “I can’t believe I found this” stuff. And good news for 2026: The festival is partnering with EZfocus. If you fall in love with a specific bottle (and you will), this app helps you find and purchase those wines after the festival. No more scribbling names on napkins and losing them later.
Education That Doesn’t Feel Like School
Wine seminars at VanWineFest are ““learning disguised as pure pleasure.”
Christine McAvoy Photography
I know, “seminars” sounds like work. But at VanWineFest, the seminars are where the real magic happens.They have sessions for everyone, from the “curious novice” to the trade professional.
Top Wine Seminars for Beginners and Curious Drinkers
Check out “Take A Tour de France in Your Glass.” This public seminar explores seven classic French wine regions. You sit down, you get seven glasses of wine, and an expert walks you through why they taste the way they do. It’s fascinating, and yes, you get to drink the “course materials.”
Christine Campbell, the festival’s speaker liaison, calls it “learning disguised as pure pleasure.” She is right. You walk away smarter and more confident about what you like.
Advanced Wine Seminars for Industry Insiders
If you are in the industry or just a serious geek, there are trade seminars that go deep.
Committed to Biodynamics: A discussion on sustainable farming with industry leader Gérard Bertrand.France: Terroir & Trends: A new look at French wines globally.Classic & Contemporary Australia: Wine Australia educator Mark Davidson returns to show how Aussie wine is changing.Vancouver International Wine Festival Food Events
You cannot survive on wine alone (trust me, I’ve tried). Thankfully, Vancouver is a foodie paradise, and the festival leans into that hard. VanWineFest celebrates Metro Vancouver’s culinary scene with curated winery dinners at top restaurants. These are intimate events where a winemaker hosts a dinner, pairing their wines with a multi-course meal designed specifically for those bottles.
I attended a winery dinner a few years back at a seafood restaurant in Yaletown. The winemaker sat at our table, pouring generous splashes of Riesling while telling stories about the harvest. It was one of the best meals of my life. For 2026, they are also partnering with LaSalle College and the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Culinary students will be providing dynamic work experiences at the Saturday lunches. It’s a cool way to see the next generation of chefs in action.
Vancouver International Wine Festival: Tips, Tricks, and Must-Knows
Here are my tips for tackling the festival like a pro.
1.Book Your Hotel Early (and Get Free Tickets!)
This is the best travel hack for the festival. If you book a stay at one of StayVancouverHotels.com’s 43 downtown hotels, you receive a free International Festival Tasting ticket. If you book two or more nights, you get two free tickets. This is part of their “Don’t Wine and Drive” program, which is brilliant. You stay downtown, you walk to the convention center, you taste amazing wine, and you walk back to a fluffy hotel bed. No Ubers, no stress.
2. Pace Yourself
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The tasting room is overwhelming in the best way. Drink water and/or Zebra Stripe. Eat food. Use the spit buckets (seriously, the pros do it). You want to remember the wines you tasted, not just the headache the next morning.
3. Talk to the People
Don’t just pour and run. The people behind the tables are often the owners or winemakers. Ask them what their favorite vintage is. Ask them about the weird weather they had last year. The stories are half the fun.
Where to Go in Vancouver & British Columbia
Sure, you can’t drink wine all day (I won’t judge if you try), but Vancouver and its surrounding areas have plenty to keep you entertained when you’re not sipping. This city is a feast for the senses—and not just the wine-related ones. Craving amazing food? Vancouver’s got you covered with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to laid-back brunch spots, not to mention a cocktail scene that swings from swanky high-end lounges to those wonderfully sticky dive bars where you’re guaranteed endless stories. Looking for adventure? Hop on a seaplane to Vancouver Island, explore historic parks, or simply wander the city streets for some serious people-watching.
British Columbia is your playground, offering a perfect blend of laid-back charm and big-city adventures. There’s no shortage of ways to get your “Canuck” on—whether you’re gearing up for the Vancouver International Wine Festival , taking a break in between, or winding down afterward. So go ahead, explore, indulge, and make memories you’ll (probably) share over your next glass of wine. Cheers to that!
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