In the World of Wine one of the biggest tour stops is The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, now celebrating its 30th year. This show comes from the huge tasting room at Vancouver’s Trade and Convention Centre on February 28 & 29.
The Festival’s Global focus this year was on sparkling wine and the Feature Country was Italy. Here are the highlights.

Hour One
Segment 1
Mark Wenderberg - Sumac Ridge Winery, Summerland, BC - Senior Winemaker
Dave Carson - See Ya Later Winery, OK Falls, BC - Winemaker
Mason Spink – See Ya Later, OK Falls, BC – Assistant Winemaker

Segment 2
Randy Pickton - Nk’ Mip Winery, Oliver, BC - Winemaker
Brooke Burke - Jackson Triggs Winery, Oliver, BC - Winemaker
Derek Kontkanen - Jackson Triggs, Oliver, BC - Winemaker

Segment 3
Jay Drysdale - The Toasted Oak, Oliver, BC – Wine Expert - (www.winesofbc.com)
John Clerides - Marquis Wine Cellar, Vancouver, BC - Wine Expert

Segment 4
Carmen D’Onofrio Jr. - Stile Wines, Vancouver, BC – Managing Partner
Valentina Argiolas - Argiolas Wines, Italy
Mark Tucker - Mionetto Wines, USA - Marketing & Promotion Manager

Hour Two
Segment 5
Dote Guido Orzalesi - Altesino Wines, Italy
Barbara Levi-Cavaglione - Damilano Wines, Italy – Export Manager
Robin Shay - Feudi di San Gregorio, Export Manager North America

Segment 6
Tony Burée - Le Vieux Pin Winery, Oliver, BC, - General Manager
Harold Gaudy – Le Vieux Pin - Vineyard Manager
Daniel Bontorin – Le Vieux Pin - Winemaker

Segment 7
Gabriel Salas - Vina Concha y Toro, Chile – Sommelier, On Trade Manager
Daenna Van Mulligen - Wine Diva.ca
Raul Beckdorf - Akakena Wines, Chile - Sales & Marketing Director

Segment 8
Rob Feenie - Celebrity Chef, Cactus Club Restaurants, Canada

Teaser, July 26
Daenna Van Mulligen reviews the best BBQ reds of the summer and we visit Uva Sebastians Legoff’s great new wine bar and bistro in Vancouver.