The fundraising celebration was a highlight of the 42nd annual festival
The Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia gala dinner and auction, attended by more than 400 guests, raised some $233,000 for charitable partner the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. The sold-out raffle for two Delta One international business class tickets, donated by Delta Airlines, raised another add $20,000.
The gala, presented by Tesoro by Concert, kicked off the 42nd Vancouver International Wine Festival at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver with a spectacular evening of wine and food, topped by a live auction. Guests enjoyed a sparking wine reception with the opportunity to bid at a silent auction featuring extremely rare wines, epic getaways and unique culinary experiences.
Emcee was Chris Gailus, Global BC news anchor; gala chair was Jana Maclagan. Following the reception, guests savoured nine spectacular wines paired with five inventive courses by Fairmont executive chef Colin Burslem.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival marked its 42nd edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 22 to March 1. The festival, which featured French wines and showcased 163 wineries from 15 countries (including 42 wineries from France), poured about 1,500 wines at 57 events with a projected 25,000 attendees.
Celebrating its 31st season in 2020, 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, near Vancouver‘s downtown core.
Credit: Paul Duchart
Christopher Gaze, artistic director, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival; Jana Maclagan, gala chair; Alexandra Thompson, gala committee member and owner, Wardrobe Apparel, an event sponsor; and Harry Hertscheg, executive director, Vancouver International Wine Festival
Credit: Paul Duchart
Kelly Snider, gala manager and event producer; and Howard Soon, wine manager, Vanessa Vineyards
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Claire Sakaki, executive director, Bard on the Beach; and Bill Maclagan, chair, Vancouver Opera
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Melissa Peel, business and international trade centre manager, Surrey Board of Trade; and Cali Van Zant, VP, InvestorIdeas
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Sylvia Abello Restrepo; and Fabio Messineo, Italian consul general
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Jessica Timberlake, PR manager, Eminence Organic Skin Care; Jason Lyseight; Stephanie Millward executive associate; Lori Virtue, domestic goddess; Katrina Geronimo, recruiter; and Billie Lawrence, administration manager, events, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
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Federico Angel, chiropractor; and Erin Angel, sales representative, Trialto Wine Group
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John McCulloch, president, board of directors, Bard on the Beach; Jana Maclagan, gala chair; Philippe Sutter, French consul general
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Tony Knox, owner, Knox & Co.; and Margie Knox
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Naz Panahi, VP, Pan City Enterprises; Arv Sooch, business development, Nicola Wealth; and Sevena Khunkhun, physician
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Nola Martin, VP marketing, Ocean Brands; and Dave Herrmann, VP, Arterra Wines Canada
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Jennifer Harper, founder, Elevate Strategies; Sarah Howard, president, Compton Fundraising; Coby Bucci, VP, NEI Investments; and Lena Lees-Heidt, partner, Play Management
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Ingrid Taylor; Doug Taylor, president, Naqada Pacific; Nancy Burke; and Ian Telfer, former chair, Goldcorp
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Sandra McKoen; Alexandra Thompson, gala committee member, event sponsor and owner, Wardrobe Apparel; and Andrew Mickey, president, Gatecrasher Strategies
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The Collective You photographed guests at the gala
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From The Collective You: Hunter Will, Taylor McBride, Dennis Gocer and Jason Vaughan
Credit: Paul Duchart