The Victoria International Wine Festival is returning this fall with a record pour. Set for Oct. 3 and 4 at the Victoria Conference Centre, the festival will feature more than 467 wines from 15 countries, filling two days with tastings, seminars, and special events. Now in its 12th year, it has grown into one of Canada’s leading wine showcases, attracting producers, trade, and wine lovers from around the world. This year, organizers are turning more attention to Canadian wines, introducing a coast-to-coast feature that highlights boutique producers from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. The program will celebrate the craftsmanship and diversity of homegrown winemaking through tastings and seminars, while also helping small Canadian wineries take part in the event. “Wine tells a story from the ground up. To me, that is the heart of wine, the history and the roots behind it,” said Dave Bain, producer of the Victoria International Wine Festival. Bain said the new direction comes from a desire to give Canadian winemakers a stronger platform. “The festival gives people a space to learn and build a portfolio of new beloved wines. Wine should be exciting to talk about and discover at the store, not something that feels intimidating when faced with endless labels," he said. He added that the festival retooled its approach in response to recent global challenges. "We went back to the drawing board to reform the festival and strengthen our community. Our regional partnerships have allowed us to welcome wineries rarely seen in Victoria," said Bain. Ticket sales are currently trending to record-breaking numbers according to Bain, with all of Saturday's (Oct. 3) tastings on track to sell out in the coming weeks.
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