California wine map

The 32nd Annual California Wine Fair Ballroom Tasting, the largest tasting tour of Californian wine in Canada, will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre East (999 Canada Place). California’s wine regions are recognized around the world for both superior quality and varietal diversity.

You’ll be able to explore California’s Napa, Sonoma, and Central Coast wine regions in one evening. Having lived in the Bay Area for seven years, I can attest that exploring all three areas inside one convenient convention centre ballroom covers a lot of ground without having to drive!

California wine fair

The tasting will include 120 top producers, from family-run boutique brands to large scale benchmark wineries. The evening provides 700 wine enthusiasts the opportunity to talk one on one with passionate and knowledgeable vintners, as well as have the chance to discover interesting new varietals, blends, and labels in a lively atmosphere.

California wine fair

A silent auction will run throughout the evening offering luxury hotel stays and gift certificates to top entertainment venues, fine restaurants, and spas.

California Wine Fair Ballroom Tasting

Date: Wednesday, April 18, 7 pm
Venue: Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Place
Tickets: $75, available online; groups of six or more $65 per ticket

*Group purchases can only be ordered by phoning the box office at 604.687.1644.

If you’d like to continue soaking up the warm, sunny California atmosphere, there are two California wine-themed dinners happening this month as well. Q4’s Francis Ford Coppola Winery dinner still has tickets available; the California Dreaming Dinner is sold out.

The California Dreaming Dinner will be hosted at West Restaurant (2881 Granville Street) on Tuesday, April 17, at 6 pm. This event’s tasting will be provided by Vintage Corks, including Blackbird Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Heitz Cellars, and Silver Oak Cellars. Renowned Executive Chef Quang Dang will create an innovative five course menu, and in-house sommelier Owen Knowlton will share his food and wine expertise. Every last ticket has been sold.

Coppola Winery entrance. Photo credit: Chad Keig
[Coppola Winery entrance. Photo credit: Chad Keig]

Q4 Francis Ford Coppola Winery Dinner on Monday, April 30 will devote an entire evening to presenting premium wines from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma. Highlights will include the Rosso & Bianco, Diamond Collection, Director’s Cut, and Sofia labels. The Coppola Winery was recognized with the coveted USA Producer of the Year Award in 2011 at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Tickets are $185 each. The evening begins at 6 pm at Q4 Ristorante (2611 West 4th Avenue) in Kitsilano.

Tickets to all events (except for the California Dreaming Dinner) can be purchased either online or by phoning the Arts Club box office at 604.687.1644.

These three events form a major fundraising campaign for the Arts Club Theatre, the largest not-for-profit organization of its kind in Western Canada. Throughout the year, its organization offers professional theatre at three Vancouver venues: the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Granville Island Stage, and Revue Stage, in addition to touring productions throughout the province.

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