B.C. wines hold their own amid worldwide array at International Festival Tastings, February 27 to March 1
Vancouver International Wine Festival event is also a chance to search out the best vintages in your own back yard
Vancouver International Wine Festival’s International Festival Tastings event. Photo by Christine McAvoy
International Festival Tastings run February 27 and 28, and March 1 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West as part of the Vancouver International Wine Festival
WE’VE TOLD YOU about the wild array of vintages from 15 countries at this weekend’s Vancouver International Wine Festival’s International Festival Tastings—a selection that includes heavyhitters like California’s Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Robert Mondavi Winery. And sure, there’s bubbly Il Fresco Prosecco from Venice’s Villa Sandi, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Oyster Bay, and a big Chianti Rufina from Tuscany’s Villa Travignoli.
But as the event draws closer, don’t forget that it’s also a chance to discover some of the best bottles in your own back yard—all in one place. And besides, at times like these, it’s reassuring to see Canada more than holding its own on a world stage.
Amid the B.C. contingent, there are both Okanagan heavyweights and under-the-radar stars. Some of the highlights include Bench 1775, the winery located at the storied Naramata Bench on a postcard-perfect slice of waterfront; start with their Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, both from 2022. Also from Naramata Bench, Da Silva Vineyards offers everything from fresh whites to bold reds, tracing its heritage back to the 1950s, when the family emigrated to Canada and started an orchard; International Festival Tastings releases include a 2023 Chenin Blanc and a 2021 Cab.
And from historic vineyards in Oliver, Phantom Creek Estates is a big draw for Cabs and Syrahs; these guys have won the “Best Red Wine in Canada” on three separate occasions, so make sure to taste their Kobau Syrah 2021—a red so robust that it pairs easily with lamb loin and venison.
Unsworth Vineyards.
Repping the Cowichan Valley—and its Mediterranean-like microclimate—is Unsworth Vineyards, a spot devoted to sustainable practices and small, handcrafted wines. Don’t miss trying out its Charme de L’île, a fruit-forward, Vancouver Island alternative to Prosecco, or its hyperlocal, citrus-inflected 2022 Cowichan Valley Chardonnay.
And much closer to home, don’t miss the Cannon Estate Winery, a family-owned operation situated on one of the most picturesque pieces of Fraser Valley heaven. Crafted on the fertile farmland around Abbotsford, this is a terroir-focused brand that will be pouring a 2022 Enivré that’s a refreshing Alsace-style Pinot Gris Blend (think honey, ripe apples, and lemon blossoms); a 2022 Fleur Bleue, a Gamay/Pinot Noir blend with a Burgundy feel; plus many more. Note the winery uses only organic sprays and no herbicides. And for Vancouverites, the locale means a followup tasting is only a day trip away. 
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