SWIRL AROUND BC WINE EXPO
The Swirl Around BC Wine Expo is Wine Growers BC’s premier annual event celebrating the excellence and diversity of British Columbia wine. Held each fall in Vancouver, this exclusive full-member benefit brings together up to 500 key trade and media professionals — including influential buyers, sommeliers, educators, and journalists — for a day of immersive tasting and education.
Swirl Around BC Wine Expo
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Pan Pacific Vancouver
The 2025 program will feature two walk-around tastings (morning and afternoon) and four themed seminars designed to educate, engage, and inspire. Wineries may showcase up to four SKUs (grape wine only), including both 100% BC VQA and Crafted in BC wines. An RFP will be issued to Vancouver-based wine schools and partner organizations to help curate and deliver engaging seminars that not only support wine education but also better connect with younger sommeliers.
As an added opportunity, we’re inviting participating wineries to register interest in hosting winemaker dinners while principals and winemakers are in town — providing further connection points with key buyers and restaurant partners through the Pour More BC network.
This is more than a tasting, it’s a strategic opportunity to grow brand and product awareness, address industry misconceptions, and secure meaningful listings heading into the holiday season and new year.
Event Contact: Maddie Hodges, MHodges@WineBC.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of paperwork will I need to participate?
Serving It Right: All booth staff must have and be able to supply proof of their responsible beverage service program certification.
Licensee Agency Order Form – Doc 60: It is required that each winery complete a Doc 60 to participate in the event. WGBC will provide a blank form closer to the event when we ask you to re-confirm your sku’s and provide spec sheets.
Liability Insurance: All attending wineries, agencies and their staff must have their own liability insurance to participate in this event and represent your winery at your station.
What will be my set-up for the walk around tasting?
- 6ft table dressed in black linen
- One bus bin with ice
- Tabletop winery name sign (reminder: pull up banners are not permitted)
- 2 wine glasses for quality assurance tasting – We ask that you please do not take additional wine glasses at the entry
- Complimentary wireless internet access
- Attendees will be provided with individual spit cups, and large spittoons for emptying spit cups will be placed throughout the room
What kind of decor can I bring?
Feel free to bring table top decor for your 6 ft table (black linen provided). Each winery will have a tabletop sign with the winery name on it. No pull up banners are permitted.
How will wineries be organized throughout the room?
For the walk around tasting(s), wineries will be organized in alphabetical order. This has been confirmed year-over-year as the preferred set up for trade and media attendees (via post event surveys).
How many attendees can we expect?
The anticipated number of guests for each walk around tasting event is 200 to 300, all wineries are expected to bring their own wines to the venue with 6 to 8 bottles of each SKU considered sufficient for each walk around tasting.
How much wine should I bring?
All wineries are expected to bring their own wines to the venue with 6 to 8 bottles of each SKU considered sufficient for each walk around tasting. Please note, empty wine bottles must be removed from the venue by the end of the day.
What are the load in/out instructions?
Load in/out instructions will be provided to registered wineries closer to the event.
Does WGBC have an accommodation partner for participating wineries?
No, WGBC does not have a hotel block or accommodation partner for this event.
How do I get considered as a panelist for a seminar?
WGBC is currently conducting a request for proposal (RFP) process to partner with a Vancouver-based consultant to coordinate the seminars at the Expo. More information will be shared soon. For now, please express your interest in acting as a seminar panelist as part of your registration.
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Members of the WGBC are proud of their wines and are committed to ensuring their wines are promoted and enjoyed responsibly by those adults who choose to consume them for the continued enjoyment and prosperity of the BC wine industry.
To explore more and access resources visit resources.therightamount.ca
To explore more and access resources visit resources.therightamount.ca
