Top Drop is considered one of Vancouver's coolest wine events, and this year's line up of events is absolutely killer. Taking place over two nights this May, Top Drop really zeroes in on small-scale wine (and cider) producers who are super hands-on with their craft.
Top Drop Canada/Facebook
While Top Drop is anchored by its day two grand tasting event, the public can nab tickets to any of several amazing and super-affordable evening gatherings that find some of Vancouver's most acclaimed restaurants teamed up with an impressive roster of wines.
Early-bird pricing for five of the May 23 events runs just $49 a person (starting May 6 the price goes up to $55, which is still an insane deal).
The true dilemma isn't to choose whether to attend, but rather which of the five events you'll choose. There's a chill evening of sips and snacks (and skee-ball and pinball) at The American; "Pink Links" at Wildebeest starring charcuterie, sausages, and pink wines; tapas and pintxos with wines from Spain and Portugal at Bodega; fried and BBQ chicken from The DownLow Chicken Shack and Mamie Taylor's with terroir-driven wines; and a pizza party with Okanagan and Italian wineries at Campagnolo.
Lastly, a sixth event on May 23 is a little pricier than the more casual gatherings, but still a great way to enjoy some of the city's finest fare with some iconic global wineries. The award-winning Boulevard Seafood + Oyster Bar is hosting Terroir Mosaic, featuring a sit-down dinner by chefs Alex Chen and Roger Ma, and wines from France, California, and Hungary. Tickets to this dinner are $125 per person.
Top Drop Canada/Facebook
That said, if you'd rather go for a night of all-out wine sipping, the Top Drop grand tasting is a great way to go. The May 24 event at The Roundhouse features dozens of international, terroir-focused wineries, craft breweries, cideries, and the people behind them, as well as culinary partners serving up small bites. Tickets for the Main Event are priced at just $75 until May 6, when the price goes up to $95.
Top Drop Vancouver
When: May 23-24, 2019
Where: Various venues in Vancouver
Cost: $49-125. Find tickets to the Thursday wine events here, and the Main Event here.
