Wine in Vancouver isn’t just for special occasions anymore. It’s become a regular part of life, shared at dinners, poured by the glass at local bars, or picked up from trusted wine shops. We’ve noticed a shift: locals are drinking more thoughtfully, with a focus on quality and BC pride. So, we took a closer look at what’s on the wine list in 2025, where people are buying, and the places shaping this growing culture.
BC Wine by the Numbers
Before we share our favourite bottles and bars, we wanted to understand the bigger picture. We looked through the latest stats from WineBC, Statista, and government sources to see how BC’s wine industry is doing in 2025. Here’s what we found:
- BC’s wine industry now adds $3.75 billion to the provincial economy each year (WineBC, 2025)
- There are 306 licensed wineries growing grapes across the province (as of January 2025)
- Over 1,200 vineyards cover 12,600+ acres of BC land
- Local wine sales hit $1.14 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year (Statista, July 2024)
- Sparkling wine is catching on, but red wine still leads the way
- Pinot Gris and Merlot are the most commonly grown grapes out of more than 80+ varieties
- In 2023, 45% of vineyard land was damaged by climate events like wildfires and deep freezes (Wines of BC)
- To help out, Ottawa rolled out a $166 million support program for wineries (Agriculture Canada)
Your Wine List Starts Here
We all enjoy wine in our own way. Some of us are drawn to the storytelling behind each bottle, others just love how a good glass fits into a quiet evening or a shared meal. Over the years, wine has become more than just a drink for special occasions, it’s something we reach for with curiosity and comfort.
This list reflects that. These are wines we’ve tried, talked about, and would recommend without hesitation. Some are bold, some are subtle, but all are worth a spot on your table this year.
Note: Prices are approximate and may vary depending on the store or location.
Name | Type | Winery | Region | Price per bottle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Haywire Merlot 2022 | Red | Haywire | Okanagan Valley | $24.99 |
Laughing Stock Pinot Gris | White | Laughing Stock | Naramata Bench, Okanagan | $50 |
Mission Hill Reserve Rosé | Rosé | Mission Hill Family Estate | West Kelowna | $25 |
Blue Grouse Charme de l’île | Sparkling | Blue Grouse Estate Winery | Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island | $29.99 |
CheckMate End Game Merlot 2021 | Red | CheckMate Artisanal Winery | South Okanagan | $95 |
Lunessence Merlot 2022 | Red | Lunessence Winery | Okanagan Valley | $36.99 |
Hester Creek Joe’s Block 2022 | Red | Hester Creek | Golden Mile Bench | $39.99 |
Mayhem Anarchy Merlot 2022 | Red | Mayhem Wines | Anarchist Mountain, Osoyoos | $45 |
Hillside Merlot 2019 | Red | Hillside Winery | Naramata Bench | $50 |
Township 7 Merlot 2022 | Red | Township 7 Vineyards | Oliver & Okanagan Falls | $29.97 |
Best Wine Bars in Vancouver
After putting together our wine list, we couldn’t ignore the places that bring these bottles to life. Vancouver’s wine bars have grown alongside the local wine scene—small, creative, and packed with personality. Whether you’re after a glass of natural red or something crisp and bubbly, these spots offer some of the city’s best pours.
Below is a curated list of wine bars we visited or reviewed, updated with current Google ratings and brief highlights.
Is That French (Gastown)
⭐ 4.7 (295 reviews) – 45 Blood Alley Square
🗣️ “They have a variety of good quality wines, very unique and rich flavours.”
Bleach@611 (Chinatown)
⭐ 5.0 (16 reviews) – 611 Gore Ave
🗣️ “Their natural wine selection also firee.”
Bar Gobo (Strathcona)
⭐ 4.6 (136 reviews) – 237 Union St
🗣️ “Wine selection was excellent and the Sommelier’s suggestions were top-notch.”
La Fabrique St-George Winery (Mount Pleasant)
⭐ 4.3 (226 reviews) – 7 E 7th Ave
🗣️ “Delicious natural wines in a cool industrial chic setting.”
Where to Buy Good Wine
Prefer sipping at home? These local retailers and wineries make wine shopping easy, with knowledgeable staff and a solid range:
Everything Wine (River District)
⭐ 4.7 (924 reviews) – 8570 River District Crossing
🗣️ “Excellent service and quality choices of huge inventory of wines.”
Marquis Wine Cellars (Davie Street)
⭐ 4.6 (271 reviews) – 1034 Davie St
🗣️ “Fantastic selection of wines and amazing service to boot!”
LuLu Island Winery (Richmond)
⭐ 4.6 (823 reviews) – Richmond, BC
🗣️ “The wine selection was fantastic, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.”
Vancouver isn’t just drinking more wine, it’s drinking smarter. Local producers are navigating climate stress, trade pressures, and changing consumer tastes. At the same time, wine bars and stores are evolving to match what people actually want: a good glass, without the pressure.
As critic Anthony Gismondi recently wrote,
“We have a quality product. All we need is the will to identify it accurately.”
That applies to wineries and drinkers alike. Wine isn’t going anywhere in BC. If anything, this city’s love for the grape is just getting deeper.