Hospitality

Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia Gala Dinner & Auction 2019

The Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia Gala Dinner & Auction 2019, attended by over 400 guests, raised over $229,000 benefitting charitable partner Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

By Paul Duchart /

Credit: Paul Duchart
Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach artistic director; Jana Maclagan, gala chair; and Harry Hertscheg, Vancouver International Wine Festival executive director

Gala raises more than $200,000 for Bard on the Beach

The Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia gala dinner and auction, attended by over 400 guests, raised over $229,000 benefitting charitable partner Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. The gala, presented by Blakes, kicked off the 41st annual VIWF, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver with a spectacular evening of wine and food, topped by a thrilling live auction.  Guests enjoyed a sparking wine reception with the opportunity to bid on silent auction items. Live auction items featured extremely rare wines, epicurean getaways and unique culinary experiences featuring chefs and sommeliers from the West Coast’s top restaurants.  Master of Ceremonies was Chris Gailus, Global BC news anchor; and gala chair was Jana Maclagan.  Following the reception, guests savoured nine spectacular wine paired with five inventive courses created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, Colin Burslem, taking guests on a culinary journey inspired by Pacific West Coast vineyards. The evening ended with an amazing dessert soufflé followed by dancing to the Adam Woodall Band.

Vancouver International Wine Festival is Canada’s premier wine show and marked its 41st edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 23 to March 3. The festival featured California wines and showcased 160 wineries from 15 countries (including 53 wineries from California) pouring about 1,450 wines at 54 events with a projected 25,000 admissions.
Celebrating its 30th season in 2019, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit professional Shakespeare festivals. It is presented on the waterfront in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park, adjacent to Vancouver’s downtown core.

Credit: Paul Duchart
Rick Slomka, California Wine Institute Canadian director; and Paula Oreskovich, California Wine Institute community director

Credit: Paul Duchart
Sergio Zingarelli, Rocca della Macie winemaker, Sandeep Sangha, Vanessa Vineyard operations manager; and Howard Soon, Vanessa Vineyard winemaker

Credit: Paul Duchart
Claire Sakaki, Bard on the Beach executive director; and Paul Wagner, VIWF speaker

Credit: Paul Duchart
Jane Carrigan Gailus; and her husband, Chris Gailus, Global BC anchor and gala emcee

Credit: Paul Duchart
R. Haluk Energec, Sulva Winery founder; and Betty Verkuil, VIWF sponsorship and marketing director

Credit: Paul Duchart
Sarah Howard, Compton Fundraising managing partner; Lena Heidt, Play Management director; and Jennifer Harper Uncao, Elevate Strategies founder

Credit: Paul Duchart
The wines for silent auction

Credit: Paul Duchart
Blair Curtis, gala auction chair; Mark Hicken, VIWF chair; and Rick Slomka, California Wine Institute Canadian director

Credit: Paul Duchart
Dana Golden; and her husband, Bob Golden, Belmont Properties founder

Credit: Paul Duchart 
Herbert Horn, retired; and Darlene Holmes, Rogers Financial guests

Credit: Paul Duchart
Karina Rogers, BGC Engineering global strategy lead; and Charles Hotel, LGM Financial Services EVP and general counsel

Credit: Paul Duchart
John Prittie, Aquilini Brands technical director; and Samantha Stanway, Aquilini Red Mountain director of marketing

Credit: Paul Duchart
Robin Dhir, Fasken strategic advisor; and his wife, Rena Dhir, Radar Immigration owner

Credit: Paul Duchart
Coleen Christie, Global BC anchor; and Alan Ferris, Hotel Vancouver director of catering

Credit: Paul Duchart
The wines for live auction

Credit: Paul Duchart
Chris Gailus, Global BC anchor and master of ceremonies

Credit: Paul Duchart
Chris Gailus, Global BC anchor and master of ceremonies