All my wine experiences started in Vancouver, where I lived most of my life before moving to the U.S. So I am really hoping to get to the Vancouver International Wine Festival, which runs from Feb. 24 to March 2 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other locations around my favorite city in the world.

This year’s festival focus is on France, with 52 wineries representing the country’s diverse wine regions, including Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Champagne, Loire and Rhone.

In total, 178 wineries from 14 countries will be on hand at 54 events over the eight-day festival, which will be celebrating its 36th anniversary this year.

The heart of the festival is the International Festival Tasting Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where some 780 wines are available for sampling. A senior executive from each winery will be available to answer questions about their wines.

About 800 additional wines will be served at special events, including a gala auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairings at winery dinners, lunches and brunches at major Vancouver restaurants and hotels.

Frankly, I can’t believe we haven’t attended this festival in years past. How did that happen?

Vancouver friends and family, we hope to see you there — tickets are on sale now at  VanWineFest.ca. Friends in Washington, Oregon California and across the U.S., there are hotel packages available, so you don’t “wine and drive.”

Cheers!