A GOOD YEAR: As usual, the Bacchanalia Gala kicked off this year鈥檚 39th 麻豆传媒映画International Wine Festival. More than 380 guests attended the posh dinner and auction held at Hotel Vancouver. For the third consecutive year, Jana Maclagan handled the chairing duties, as well as adding auctioneer to her list of responsibilities, a first for the socialite. More than ably selling premium bottles of Chateau Petrus, Chateau Margeaux and Chateau Mouton Rothchild to the wine-satiated crowd, Maclagan鈥檚 prowess at the podium helped uncork a reported $280,000 for Christopher Gaze鈥檚 Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival, beneficiary of the annual tipple fest, which this year celebrated the wines of Canada to mark the country鈥檚 150th birthday.
WINE TOAST: Yours truly emceed the Wine Awards held near the conclusion of the 10-day Wine Festival. Winemakers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, food and wine media and industry insiders convened at the Convention Centre for the luncheon luau that annually recognizes the province鈥檚 best wine lists, as well as pays tribute to this year鈥檚 Sommelier and Spirited Industry Professional of the Year recipients. Restaurants achieving platinum status this year included Blue Water Caf茅, Burdock & Co., Chambar, Hawksworth and CinCin. The latter鈥檚 Shane Taylor was named 2017 Sommelier of the Year, while B.C. wine pioneer Harry McWatters received the festival鈥檚 highest honour for his contributions to the wine sector over the past five decades. Upon learning of his award at the luncheon, a nearly speechless McWatters said, 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled, I鈥檓 honoured, and very proud of all our producers and merchants for making Canada a great wine producing country.鈥�
COCKTAIL PARTY: The city鈥檚 finest bar stars once again gathered at Science World for the sophomore running of the organization鈥檚 Science of Cocktails soiree. Exploring the art and science of mixology, celebrated barkeeps such as Lauren Mote, Grant Sceney and Sabrine Dhaliwal helped transform the iconic geodesic dome into the largest cocktail laboratory for one special night. More than 30 bar stations were set up for drink enthusiasts to sip and savour bespoke cocktails artfully crafted and paired with culinary delights created by some of the city鈥檚 celebrated eateries and caterers. A party with a purpose, the evening of drink and food 鈥� hosted by newly appointed CEO Dr. Scott Sampson 鈥� generated $240,000 for Science World鈥檚 Field Trip Bursary Program, an initiative which provides students from underserved schools the opportunity to access the interactive centre of innovation and creativity.
