Wine

Welcome to Vancouver’s Golden Age of Wine Bars

Pop-up wine bars keep, ahem, popping up around town so we got Kurtis Kolt to investigate. Follow ’em on Instagram to keep up with their ever-changing offerings.

By Kurtis Kolt /

Apéro Mode

The ‘Gram @aperomode

Elevator Pitch Local sommelier Maude Renaud-Brisson teams up with the city’s hottest restaurants to entertain a crowd of largely restaurant and wine industry folks, casual wine enthusiasts, and their pals. B.Y.O. for a small corkage fee that goes to charity.

Recent Sip Natte Valleij Cinsault 2017, South Africa

The Vibe Buzzy and open to everyone; the industry types try hard not to be too cliquey.

Juice Bar

The ‘Gram @juicebaryvr

Elevator Pitch Wednesdays through Saturdays at The Birds and The Beets, Siôn Iorwerth hosts all the cool kids at the city’s epicentre of natural wine, featuring a rotating roster of local chefs plating up small bites.

Recent Sip Brutal Ancestral Moscatel and Macabeo 2018 sparkling, Spain

The Vibe A good dose of millennial revelry, along with the odd handful of Gen- Xers (including this writer) looking to feel young again.

Pop! Up Wine Bar

The ‘Gram @popwine_yvr

Elevator Pitch The first and third Monday of every month, a short list of wines, charcuterie and more are served up at Livia by one of Liberty Wine Merchants’ wine buyers and a wine-savvy flight attendant. True story!

Recent Sip G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba 2017, Italy

The Vibe Very Commercial Drive. The young! The old! Italians! Dudes playing chess!

Vin Van

The ‘Gram @vinvanpopup

Elevator Pitch London expat Joanna Owen and Canadian Steph Walker share warm hospitality, homey eats and a range of their favourite wines at Mount Pleasant’s Dock Lunch.

Recent Sip Scout Vineyard Riesling 2018, B.C.

The Vibe Very inclusive, friendly and welcoming. Consider it Vancouver’s gateway wine bar for the uninitiated.

Vini Volpe

The ‘Gram @vinivolpe

Elevator Pitch At Caffè La Tana on Commercial Drive, folks from sibling restaurant Savio Volpe pour delicious drops alongside top-notch pastas and other fare.

Recent Sip Ciù Ciù Rosso Piceno 2018, Italy

The Vibe Probably feels the poshest of the bunch, much of it due to the drop-dead gorgeous room. Come on in, though; the water’s fine.