Wine Program Excellence Awards

Last day to apply. Wine Program Awards applications go off sale at 11:55pm tonight 

Do you have an original and creative wine program? Enter the VIWF Wine Program Excellence Awards today to find out! Your program will be judged by, and you'll receive feedback from, some of the top wine professionals in Western Canada.

To enter:

• Tell us your wine philosophy (maximum 200 words), describe your staff education program, and provide copies of your current wine list and dinner menu, all in PDF format. Send to awards@vanwinefest.ca
• Complete the Online Application and pay the non-refundable fee of $195 (August 7-September 25, 2024) or $245 Late applications (September 26-October 9, 2024)

Benefits:
All entrants receive one ticket to each of the following Friday, February 28 Trade events ($158 value based on 2024 ticket prices)

• Celebrating Excellence: 21th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring U.S. Wines
• Trade Tasting with Buyers Hour (1:30 p.m.)

Winners receive:

• An anonymous visit from a WPEA judge, spending a minimum of $100 in your restaurant.
• Recognition and an award (Platinum to Bronze recipients) at the 21st Annual Awards Lunch.
• The opportunity to pre-buy additional Trade Days events. If you purchase an additional Awards Lunch ticket during the pre-buy period, you’ll receive a complimentary Trade Tasting ticket.
• Online listing and a hotlink at VanWineFest.ca
• Acknowledgement in festival ads
• Self-promotion of a VanWineFest award-winning wine list on your restaurant’s website, wine list and menu with a digital decal
• Acknowledgement and promotion in VIWF marketing initiatives, including social media, press releases, e-newsletters, and print pieces

JUDGING
Our professional judges consider the philosophy behind your wine program and how successfully your wine & food pairing goals match that philosophy. They look for your efforts in training all serving staff on your wine program. They also consider the patron experience. Is your wine list easy to understand? Does it look clean and professional? Is it free of grammatical and spelling errors? Finally, do the wines on your list offer real value and encourage consumers to try new wines?

For further information please contact: awards@vanwinefest.ca

Note: Early bird applicants (purchased between August 7-28) will receive one additional Trade Tasting Friday w Buyer complimentary ticket and can purchase (pre buy in December) one additional Awards Lunch ticket for only $50 ($109 regular value).