Playhouse Wine Festival

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival grew from humble roots as a fund-raising initiative of then Playhouse board member John E. Levine. The inaugural festival in 1979 featured one vintner - Robert Mondavi - and saw approximately 1,000 people attend the two-day event at Hycroft, the Shaughnessy mansion owned by Vancouver's University Women's Club.

In its second year, the Festival was also a one-winery show, but had grown by its fourth year to attract 45 California wineries. The ninth festival in 1987 was the first multi-national event, with wineries from six more countries joining to showcase their wines. After outgrowing several different venues, the Festival moved to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre in 1988, where it has been held for the past 20 years.

Today the festival attracts some of the biggest industry names from around the world and is firmly established as the continent's premier wine event and among the biggest, best and oldest wine events in the world. It features wine tastings and pairings, gourmet dinners and luncheons, educational seminars and culinary competitions.

This is a rare opportunity to meet owners, winemakers and senior representatives from wineries around the globe. For either the experienced wine lover or the novice, the festival has something to please every palate and pocketbook.