AT PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL
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(March 5, 2009 Vancouver, BC.) The 2009 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is more than just food friendly, it’s foodie friendly. In addition to wine tastings and seminars, the Wine Festival features brunches, lunches, dinners and food pairing events that match some of the city’s finest chefs with spectacular wines from British Columbia and around the world. Tickets for the Wine Festival are moving quickly, with more than 75% of the available tickets gone and 26 events now sold out, but there are still some wine & food pairing gems available.

Get Uncorked!
Monday, March 23, 5:00-7:00pm – Earls Hornby
Kick off the Playhouse Wine Festival and its regional theme, the Wines of BC, in grand style. Earls and Inniskillin come together to show off varietals that are experimental for the Okanagan such as Malbec, Zinfandel and Tempranillo. Emcee David Scholefield will be joined by Earls’ head chef Reuben Major and
Inniskillin Okanagan winemaker Sandor Mayer to present wines perfectly paired with Earls’ locally-inspired eats, created exclusively for this special soirée.

Cuisine de Terroir Epicurean Fete
Tuesday, March 24, 6:30-10:30pm – DB Bistro Moderne
This spectacular winery dinner is a seasonal and regional approach to dining, meticulously crafted around Mission Hill Family Estate wines and local artisanal ingredients by DB Bistro Moderne’s incomparable Executive Chef Daniel Boulud and Chef de Cuisine Stephane Istel. The family estate vineyards in British
Columbia’s Okanagan Valley reflect the origin and unique character of the terroir and of the careful “pruning to bottle” program of world-renowned Winemaker John Simes. The premier iconic wines Oculus, Quatrain and Perpetua represent unparalleled excellence in BC winemaking, uniting New World flavours
and Old World refinement. Perfectly paired with DB Bistro Moderne’s eclectic blend of European sophistication, modern French cuisine and North American ingenuity, this opulent feast will captivate your palate!

Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction
Wednesday, March 25, 5:45-11:00pm – The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
The centrepiece of the Playhouse Winefest and one of the most spectacular events in the city, the Gala Dinner + Auction is a must for the serious wine collector, providing an unparalleled opportunity to bid on rare, valuable and unusual wines donated by some of the world’s top winemakers and private collectors.
It’s also an evening of extraordinary wines and food, with a Champagne reception followed by a five-course dinner, each accompanied by two wines. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's Executive Chef Robert LeCrom creates a gastronomic delight that will leave your senses reeling. And if its not enough, auctions will include unique experiences, excursions and extravaganzas, featuring Chefs and Sommeliers from the West coast's top restaurants.

Vinho Verde: The Fresh Taste of Spring
Saturday, March 28, 11:30am-1:30pm – Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
Vinho Verde, a wine from Portugal’s cool, green coast, blends fresh aromas, zesty crispness and soft alcohol in a delicious, refreshing wine. Join Vinho Verde-lover DJ Kearney in a lively seminar featuring these distinct, aromatic “green” whites paired perfectly with small plates created by Blair Rasmussen, the
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Executive Chef. Food-friendly wines (think west coast seafood) from Agri-Roncão, Quinta Das Arcas, Vinhos Borges and Solar da Pena will show that Vinho Verde is the next red-hot white.

Our Land, Our Best
Saturday, March 28, 12:00-2:30pm – Pan Pacific Hotel
Celebrate B.C. with the largest selection of wines outside the Tasting Room while sampling Wild salmon, Fanny Bay oysters, Gulf Island mussels, artisan cheese and breads, and exceptional produce. This exciting reception-style gourmet lunch at the Pan Pacific Vancouver will showcase 80 of the finest Wines of
British Columbia and give you a chance to experience the best cuisine that BC has to offer.

Bridges Showcases Pacific Northwest
Sunday, March 29, 6:30-10:00pm – Bridges
Soak in the breathtaking views of False Creek at the landmark dining room at Bridges on historic Granville Island, while enjoying a five-course meal specially paired by Chef Shane McNeil to wines from the Okanagan’s Gray Monk, Chateau Ste Michelle and Columbia Crest from Washington State and Oregon’s
Erath vineyards. The Pacific Northwest’s finest wines and produce will come together to showcase all that this little corner of the world can offer.

Ancient Culture, Local Ingredients
Sunday, March 29, 6:00-9:30pm – Wild Rice
Using ancient culture for inspiration, Wild Rice Executive Chef Todd Bright will use the best local ingredients to create a modern Chinese menu to pair with an impressive line-up of local wines. This spectacular event presents a unique approach to the classic winery dinner by combining the progressive
Chinese cuisine of this celebrated restaurant with some of the most vibrant and exciting wines from the Okanagan. Featuring wines from Elephant Island, Hester Creek, Noble Ridge, Thornhaven and Wild Goose.

Gold Pass Tasting Lounge
Friday, March 27 5:30 - 9:00 pm - VCEC, Meeting Room 19
Enjoy a full buffet before heading to the International Festival Tasting Room, which opens at 7:00 pm. Sommeliers will be on hand to guide you through themed flights while pouring unique and exclusive wines. Whenever you need a break from the Tasting Room crowds, simply return to the lounge for a more intimate
experience! The perfect place to amplify your wine festival experience with VIP treatment!

The 2009 Wine Festival takes place March 23-29 and will feature 183 wineries from 15 countries serving more than 1700 wines at 61 events across the city. Approximately 25,000 consumers and trade professionals are expected to attend the festival, which will highlight the wines of British Columbia as the
theme region and Pinot(s) as the global focus. All tickets are now on sale through the Playhouse Box Office, 604.873.3311. For more information, visit www.playhousewinefest.com The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Playhouse Theatre Company
and is generously sponsored by The Shore Club.