The Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia gala dinner and auction 2020

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 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 Canadas largest not-for-profit professional Shakespeare festivals. It is presented on the waterfront in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park, near Vancouvers 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

Credit: Paul Duchart
Claire Sakaki, executive director, Bard on the Beach; and Bill Maclagan, chair, Vancouver Opera

Credit: Paul Duchart
Melissa Peel, business and international trade centre manager, Surrey Board of Trade; and Cali Van Zant, VP, InvestorIdeas

Credit: Paul Duchart
Sylvia Abello Restrepo; and Fabio Messineo, Italian consul general

Credit: Paul Duchart
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.

Credit: Paul Duchart
Federico Angel, chiropractor; and Erin Angel, sales representative, Trialto Wine Group

Credit: Paul Duchart
John McCulloch, president, board of directors, Bard on the Beach; Jana Maclagan, gala chair; Philippe Sutter, French consul general

Credit: Paul Duchart
Tony Knox, owner, Knox & Co.; and Margie Knox

Credit: Paul Duchart
Naz Panahi, VP, Pan City Enterprises; Arv Sooch, business development, Nicola Wealth; and Sevena Khunkhun, physician

Credit: Paul Duchart
Nola Martin, VP marketing, Ocean Brands; and Dave Herrmann, VP, Arterra Wines Canada

Credit: Paul Duchart
Jennifer Harper, founder, Elevate Strategies; Sarah Howard, president, Compton Fundraising; Coby Bucci, VP, NEI Investments; and Lena Lees-Heidt, partner, Play Management

Credit: Paul Duchart
Ingrid Taylor; Doug Taylor, president, Naqada Pacific; Nancy Burke; and Ian Telfer, former chair, Goldcorp

Credit: Paul Duchart
Sandra McKoen; Alexandra Thompson, gala committee member, event sponsor and owner, Wardrobe Apparel; and Andrew Mickey, president, Gatecrasher Strategies

Credit: Paul Duchart
The Collective You photographed guests at the gala 

Credit: Paul Duchart
From The Collective You: Hunter Will, Taylor McBride, Dennis Gocer and Jason Vaughan   

Credit: Paul Duchart
The wine up for auction