{"id":57488,"date":"2026-03-13T18:51:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T01:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/?p=57488"},"modified":"2026-09-30T16:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T23:21:44","slug":"viwf-2026-winners-vancouver-wine-festival-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/viwf-2026-winners-vancouver-wine-festival-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"VIWF Celebrates Industry Leaders and Top Wine Programs at 2026 Trade Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026 winners<\/h2>\n

The Vancouver International Wine Festival recognized some of British Columbia\u2019s most influential wine professionals and hospitality leaders on March 13 during the 22nd Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards Lunch<\/strong>, part of the festival\u2019s Trade Days programming.<\/p>\n

Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and presented by ContainerWorld, the event honours individuals and restaurants that contribute to the region\u2019s exceptional wine and food culture.<\/p>\n

Guests enjoyed a multi-course lunch prepared by Vancouver Convention Centre Executive Chef Nandakishore Rangan<\/strong>, paired with 19 wines from around the world, before this year\u2019s award winners were announced.<\/p>\n

More wine stories on Good Life Vancouver<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Spirited Industry Professional Award<\/h2>\n

The 2026 Spirited Industry Professional Award<\/strong> was presented to Carmen D\u2019Onofrio<\/strong>, Managing Director of Vancouver-based Stile Brands.<\/p>\n

The annual award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service, or promotion of wine in British Columbia.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Onofrio has long been a key figure in the province\u2019s wine industry. In addition to leading Stile Brands, a family-owned agency that imports premium wines, spirits, and beers, he served on the Vancouver International Wine Festival Board of Directors for ten years and previously chaired the festival\u2019s Planning Committee.<\/p>\n

His community involvement extends beyond wine. D\u2019Onofrio has served as Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Import Vintners and Spirits Association. He is currently President of the Italian Canadian Sports Federation and has led the Commercial Drive Business Society for two decades.<\/p>\n

Among his proudest accomplishments is helping establish Italian Day on The Drive<\/strong> in 2010, which has grown into one of Canada\u2019s largest cultural street festivals.<\/p>\n

Before entering the wine industry, D\u2019Onofrio was also a professional soccer player who represented Canada at the U-19 and U-21 levels and competed internationally, playing for the Vancouver 86ers, Toronto Lynx, and Edmonton Drillers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sommelier of the Year<\/h2>\n

The 2026 Sommelier of the Year Award<\/strong> went to Vancouver sommelier Michael Littleford<\/strong>, who was selected through a hands-on competition organized by the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.<\/p>\n

The award recognizes sommeliers who demonstrate exceptional knowledge, passion for food and wine pairing, and dedication to hospitality.<\/p>\n

Born and raised in East Vancouver, Littleford has spent the past decade working in some of the city\u2019s leading restaurants. He began as a sommelier at Nightingale before going on to lead the wine programs at CinCin and later Published on Main.<\/p>\n

Littleford holds the prestigious WSET Level 4 Diploma<\/strong> and is both an Italian Wine Scholar<\/strong> and French Wine Scholar<\/strong> through the Wine Scholar Guild.<\/p>\n

Along with the title, he also received the 2026 Terry Threlfall Legacy Scholarship<\/strong>, which provides a multi-day educational wine experience in London designed to expand the winner\u2019s international knowledge and exposure.<\/p>\n

Wine Program Excellence Awards –\u00a0International Wine Festival 2026 winners<\/h2>\n

The <\/span>Wine Program Excellence Awards<\/strong> returned in 2026 with newly reimagined categories designed to celebrate the creativity, diversity, and leadership within the restaurant wine community.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Media sponsor for the program is Vancouver Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Wine Program Excellence of the Year<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Gold:<\/strong> Elisa<\/li>\n
  • Silver:<\/strong> Blue Water Cafe<\/li>\n
  • Bronze:<\/strong> Nightingale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Best Wine Program in an Upscale Restaurant<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gold:<\/strong> Elisa<\/li>\n
    • Silver:<\/strong> Blue Water Cafe<\/li>\n
    • Bronze:<\/strong> Marilena Caf\u00e9 + Raw Bar<\/li>\n
    • Honourable Mention: Hawksworth Restaurant<\/li>\n
    • Honourable Mention: Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Best Wine Program in a Contemporary Restaurant<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Gold:<\/strong> Nightingale<\/li>\n
      • Silver:<\/strong> Major Tom<\/li>\n
      • Bronze:<\/strong> L\u2019Abattoir<\/li>\n
      • Honourable Mention: Osteria Elio Volpe<\/li>\n
      • Honourable Mention: Wind Cries Mary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Best Food & Wine Pairing Experience<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Gold:<\/strong> Mott 32 Vancouver<\/li>\n
        • Silver:<\/strong> AnnaLena<\/li>\n
        • Bronze:<\/strong> L\u2019Abattoir<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Best Wine Service<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Gold:<\/strong> AnnaLena<\/li>\n
          • Silver:<\/strong> Kissa Tanto<\/li>\n
          • Bronze:<\/strong> L\u2019Abattoir<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Best Wine Bar or Lounge Program<\/h3>\n
              \n
            • Gold:<\/strong> Dear Gus Snack Bar<\/li>\n
            • Silver:<\/strong> Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar<\/li>\n
            • Bronze:<\/strong> Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Best BC Wine List<\/h3>\n
                \n
              • Gold:<\/strong> Waterfront Wines Restaurant<\/li>\n
              • Silver:<\/strong> Sonora Resort<\/li>\n
              • Bronze:<\/strong> The Arbutus Room & Bar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Wine Retailer of the Year<\/h2>\n

                The 2026 Wine Retailer of the Year Award<\/strong>, presented by the Import Vintners & Spirits Association and ABLE BC, was awarded to Marquis Wine Cellars<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                The award recognizes a retail location that demonstrates exceptional selection, customer service, knowledge, and engagement in promoting wine within the community.<\/p>\n

                About the Vancouver International Wine Festival<\/h2>\n

                Now in its 47th year<\/strong>, the Vancouver International Wine Festival runs March 7\u201314, 2026 and features 112 wineries from 14 countries<\/strong> across 33 events<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                The festival is widely considered Canada\u2019s premier wine show and consistently ranks among the world\u2019s top wine trade events.<\/p>\n

                Produced by the Vancouver International Wine Festival Society, the event also raises funds for the performing arts. Since its inception in 1979, the festival has raised more than $10.3 million<\/strong> for Bard on the Beach<\/strong>, one of Canada\u2019s largest professional Shakespeare festivals.<\/p>\n

                \n
                Editorial Note<\/strong>
                \nThis article is based on a press release provided by the Vancouver International Wine Festival and has been edited and adapted for Good Life Vancouver<\/em> with the assistance of AI.<\/div>\n
                \n

                Submit Restaurant & Hospitality News<\/strong>
                \nOpening a restaurant, launching a new menu, hosting a wine dinner, or planning a culinary event in British Columbia?Send press releases and story ideas to Good Life Vancouver<\/strong> for editorial consideration.📩 Email:<\/strong> cassandra (at) goodlifevancouver.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026 winners The Vancouver International Wine Festival recognized some of British Columbia\u2019s most influential wine professionals and hospitality leaders on March 13 during the 22nd Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards Lunch, part of the festival\u2019s Trade Days programming. Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and presented by ContainerWorld, the event honours individuals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":57491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[34409,34412],"tags":[5868],"class_list":["post-57488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-food-drink","category-wine-2","tag-vancouver-international-wine-festival"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nVancouver International Wine Festival 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VIWF Awards","author":"cassandra","date":"2023\/04\/30","format":false,"excerpt":"CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: VIWF ANNOUNCES\u00a02023 TRADE COMPETITION WINNERS \u00a0 Spirited Industry Professional, Sommelier of the Year, Terry Threlfall Scholarship, Wine Program Excellence Awards The Vancouver International Wine Festival announced the 2023 trade competition winners on Friday at Celebrating Excellence: 19th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring South America, presented by ContainerWorld.\u00a0The Celebrating Excellence\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Eat & Drink"","block_context":{"text":"Eat & Drink","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/category\/food-drink\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"DJ Kearney","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20230428_194637878.TS_exported_2634_1682711248906.jpg?fit=731%2C731&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20230428_194637878.TS_exported_2634_1682711248906.jpg?fit=731%2C731&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20230428_194637878.TS_exported_2634_1682711248906.jpg?fit=731%2C731&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20230428_194637878.TS_exported_2634_1682711248906.jpg?fit=731%2C731&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24665,"url":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/vancouver-wine-festival-2014-trade-competition-award-winner\/","url_meta":{"origin":57488,"position":1},"title":"Vancouver Wine Festival 2014 Trade Competition Award Winner","author":"cassandra","date":"2014\/03\/01","format":false,"excerpt":"The Vancouver International Wine Festival, presented by The Vancouver Sun, announced this year\u2019s trade competition winners on Friday, February 28 at Celebrating Excellence: The 11th Annual Awards Lunch, featuring Rh\u00f4ne Valley Wines. Sponsored by ContainerWorld, the Celebrating Excellence program honours those professionals who contribute to our region\u2019s exceptional wine and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Eat & Drink"","block_context":{"text":"Eat & Drink","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/category\/food-drink\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"VIWF Awards","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/VIWF_Website_MainImage_2014.01.14_03-300x187.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":52788,"url":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/2025-vancouver-international-festival\/","url_meta":{"origin":57488,"position":2},"title":"2025 Vancouver International Festival","author":"cassandra","date":"2024\/12\/31","format":false,"excerpt":"Taste the Wine World at the 2025 Vancouver International Wine Festival The 2025 Vancouver International Wine Festival is proud to welcome 122 wineries\u00a0representing 15 countries\u00a0to the 46th annual festival, which takes place February 22-March 2, 2025. This end-of-winter celebration of the grape features the Wines of the USA, with an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Things to Do"","block_context":{"text":"Things to Do","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Vancouver International Wine Festival 2025","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/ViWF_Sip.webp?fit=1080%2C608&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/ViWF_Sip.webp?fit=1080%2C608&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/ViWF_Sip.webp?fit=1080%2C608&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/ViWF_Sip.webp?fit=1080%2C608&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/ViWF_Sip.webp?fit=1080%2C608&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42155,"url":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/vancouver-international-wine-festival-trade-competition-winners\/","url_meta":{"origin":57488,"position":3},"title":"Vancouver International Wine Festival Trade Competition Winners","author":"cassandra","date":"2019\/03\/01","format":false,"excerpt":"Spirited Industry Professional, Sommelier of the Year, Wine Program Excellence Awards The\u00a0Vancouver International Wine Festival\u00a0announced the 2019 trade competition winners today at\u00a0Celebrating Excellence: 16th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring California Wines, presented by ContainerWorld. The Celebrating Excellence program is part of the three-day\u00a0Trade Days Conference; the program honours those professionals who\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Eat & Drink"","block_context":{"text":"Eat & Drink","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/category\/food-drink\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Vancouver International Wine Festival","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/cali-wine-fair3.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/cali-wine-fair3.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/cali-wine-fair3.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/cali-wine-fair3.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45221,"url":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/viwf-trade-competition-winners\/","url_meta":{"origin":57488,"position":4},"title":"VIWF Trade Competition Winners 2020","author":"cassandra","date":"2020\/02\/28","format":false,"excerpt":"17th Annual Awards Lunch VIWF Trade Competition Winners A huge congratulations to everyone, especially this year's Spirited Industry Professional Winner, our friend, and fellow \u00a0Dana Lee Harris! The Vancouver International Wine Festival\u00a0announced the 2020 trade competition winners on Friday at Celebrating Excellence: 17th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring France, presented by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Eat & Drink"","block_context":{"text":"Eat & Drink","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/category\/food-drink\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"dana harris","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dana-Harris.jpg?fit=1111%2C747&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dana-Harris.jpg?fit=1111%2C747&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dana-Harris.jpg?fit=1111%2C747&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dana-Harris.jpg?fit=1111%2C747&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dana-Harris.jpg?fit=1111%2C747&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39840,"url":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/viwf-wine-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":57488,"position":5},"title":"VIWF Announces 2018 Trade Competition Winners","author":"cassandra","date":"2018\/03\/02","format":false,"excerpt":"CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: VIWF ANNOUNCES 2018 TRADE COMPETITION WINNERS We're heading down to the Vancouver International Wine Festival for some more tasting today, but thought we'd report on the wine award first. 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The Vancouver International Wine Festival announced the 2018 trade competition winners on Friday at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Eat & Drink"","block_context":{"text":"Eat & Drink","link":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/category\/food-drink\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"wine wood","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wine-wood.jpg?fit=1000%2C625&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wine-wood.jpg?fit=1000%2C625&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wine-wood.jpg?fit=1000%2C625&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wine-wood.jpg?fit=1000%2C625&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pw8VM-eXe","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-content\/uploads\/Carmen-DOnofrio-Acceptance-Vancouver-International-Wine-Festival.jpg?fit=1575%2C1884&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57488"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57493,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57488\/revisions\/57493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodlifevancouver.com\/staging\/2138\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}