For one night every fall, Halifax becomes one of the best places in the country to taste wine.
The Halifax International Wine Festival returns to the Halifax Convention Centre ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 28. Guests can sample more than 250 premium wines from more than 40 wineries, wine regions and agents, along with small bites from more numerous local food partners. Last year the festival moved from its November date and Pier 22 location to the Convention Centre in September. This year the festival returns to the Convention Centre but also returns to its original late November date, right in time for holiday shopping.
The theme for 2026 is “Taste Beyond the Familiar.”
This year we want our guests to be wowed and excited by the variety of wines from near and far. Some may have unfamiliar names, but we guarantee there are wines to suit everyone’s palate,” said Mark DeWolf, co-founder of the festival and owner of Eat Drink Halifax.
How it started
The festival was created by Bruce Mansour, the organizer behind the Seaport Beer Festival, and DeWolf, of DeWolf Food & Wine Experiences, to fill a gap in the city’s calendar: Halifax had no major fall wine festival. The plan from the start was two gala tastings with more than 150 wines, raising money for charity.
It grew fast. By 2023, when it was held at Pavilion 22 on the Halifax waterfront, it was billed as Atlantic Canada’s largest consumer wine festival, with more than 200 wines on the floor. In 2025 it moved into the Convention Centre ballroom, and this year’s line-up of approximately 275 wines represents a 10 per cent increase over last year’s record number.
“We started the festival to fill a void in the market, but we are excited to see the development and growth year after year. We really excited about the wine list this year. The team at the Halifax International Wine Festival and Harvest Beer Wine and Spirits, our retail partner, really outdid themselves in terms of breadth and quality as there will even be some super premium wines to sample for our VIP guests, with a select number of bottles ranging in price from $100-$500 available to taste. Be sure to look out for La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino and the 2000 Chateau Figeac. I personally feel very connected to both. La Fiorita was started by legendary winemaker Roberto Cipresso, whose wife Marina, who owns a great restaurant called Boccon del Vino is a friend of mine. Figeac is a winery in St. Emilion (Bordeaux) in which I witnessed its evolution from good to great. I have very fond memories of mine time there.” said DeWolf.
A bigger night in the ballroom
Organizers are promising “more space, more wine, more food and more fun.” This year’s event will take place in the larger downstairs ballroom to accommodate more offerings. The show continue organize wines by distributor, region and pavilion, as in the case of the central NS Loyal Pavilion, but to make navigating the show easier, the festival has developed a custom webapp to give attendees the ability to search out wines by the style, by region, or by table.”
“As we continue to grow, it was important for us to add some new surprises. This year one of the big innovations is a new app will provide guests a great tool to find wines they want to try, to record their favourites to make navigating purchasing at the retail store easier, and we’ve even added a NS Loyal pairing element. This way after you get home with the wines you’ve purchased, you’ll know what local food and dishes to enjoy them with.” said DeWolf.
Taste Beyond the Familiar: the featured regions
Four wine regions get the spotlight this year, each one a chance to try something most Nova Scotians have not had in their glass.
Rueda, Spain. Spain’s best-known white wine region is home to Verdejo, a crisp, herbal white that is a natural next step for fans of Sauvignon Blanc. It is made for seafood, which makes it a good fit for Halifax.
Pays d’Oc, France. This large region along France’s Mediterranean coast makes everything from bright whites to rich reds, often at prices well below more famous French names. Gérard Bertrand is among the producers pouring.
Abruzzo, Italy. Best known for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a juicy, food-friendly red. Torre Zambra is among the producers on hand.
South Africa. Represented by Wines of South Africa, the country is known for Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, and for some of the best value in the wine world.
“This year we can truly say we are featuring a wide range of wines and styles. Rueda returns with their fresh white wines that were such as big hit last year, but we are also please to announce three regions that I personally believe some of the best value wines of the world come from. The wines from Vins de Pays D’Oc (Southern France), Abruzzo (Italy) and South Africa each have a distinctive style, but they have a great connection, as well. They are places where you pay less but get more out of the wine” said DeWolf.
Nova Scotia’s wine story
Nova Scotia’s wine industry has come a long way in a short time. In the late 1990s the province had only a handful of wineries. Today there are about 20, most of them in the Annapolis Valley and along the shores of the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait.
The turning point came in 2012 with the launch of Tidal Bay, the province’s own wine appellation. Every Tidal Bay is a crisp, aromatic white made only from Nova Scotia-grown grapes, and must pass a tasting panel before it can carry the name.
At the festival, the Nova Scotia Loyal pavilion brings local producers together in one place, including Lightfoot & Wolfville, Benjamin Bridge, Grand Pré, Devonian Coast and Jost Vineyards, Avondale Sky and L’Acadie Vineyards.
“I have travelled the wine world a few times over, but I can say without prejudice that Nova Scotia produces excellent white wines and world class bubbles. We are so happy to have NS Loyal and our local wineries featured at this event.” said DeWolf.
Local winery spotlight: Lightfoot & Wolfville
Few Nova Scotia wineries tell the province’s story better than Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards.
The family winery on the Evangeline Trail was established in 2009 by Michael and Jocelyn Lightfoot. Its vines grow on the shores of the Minas Basin, where the Bay of Fundy’s tides create a cool climate with a long, slow growing season. The winery focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and other cool-climate grapes, and its vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic.
The winery, at 11143 Evangeline Trail in Wolfville, has a wine shop, tastings and a restaurant. Hours change with the seasons, so check lightfootandwolfville.com before you go.
Something to eat
Wine is only half of the night. More than 20 food partners will offer small bites throughout the room, from cheese to chocolate.
The list includes Annapolis Fine Cheese, Afishionado, Halipops, Frabjous Fine Foods and Whim Chocolates, Miller’s Gourmet, Lupin Dining, Ceilidh Treats and Triple T Kitchen. Liquid Gold, , Paolucci Pasta and 2290 Wine Bar & Curated Dining with more to be announced later. Some options are vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-friendly, and there are non-alcoholic wines and cocktails too.
“While we are a wine-centric show, it is important for us to have great local bites to sample. Wine is made to be enjoyed with food, so we encourage our guests to sample the amazing local product we have at the festival.” said DeWolf.
Taste it, like it, buy it
Guests who find a bottle they love do not have to hunt for it later. An on-site pop-up store, presented by Harvest Wine Beer Spirits, sells festival wines on the spot, so you can take your favourites home the same night. Local wine stores Westside Beer Wine Spirits and Rockhead are also part of the festival.
First-timer tips
- Go VIP if you can. The extra hour gets you in before the room fills up, plus VIP-only pours.
- Pick a plan. Choose two or three regions or grapes to explore instead of trying all 250 wines.
- Use the spit buckets. The pros do. You will taste more and remember more.
- Eat and drink water. Food is included, so use it.
- Use the app. Use the festival’s new app to identify your favourites, then buy them at the pop-up store before you leave.
- Do not drive. Book a cab or a hotel. Parking is not included with tickets.
Wine for a good cause
The festival’s charity partners are the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation and Feed Nova Scotia. Every dollar collected at the coat check goes to Feed Nova Scotia.
“Charity has always been an important part of the festival. We raised close to $50,000 so far. We will continue this tradition in 2026, with our Feed Nova Scotia Coat Check. We will also have a local artist producing Christmas cards in support of charity and more. Of course, after its all said and done, all proceeds from the coat check, cards and other activities go directly to the charities, then we then write another cheque to them, as we know every bit counts, especially this time of year” said DeWolf.
Making a night of it
Coming from out of town, or want to skip the drive home? The Sutton Hotel is offering a discounted hotel and ticket package with promo code WINEFEST.
The Halifax Convention Centre has full wheelchair access, accessible washrooms, elevators and barrier-free entrances.
Sessions and tickets
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026
- Where: Halifax Convention Centre ballroom, 1650 Argyle St.
- Afternoon: General admission 3 to 5pm, VIP 2 to 5pm
- Evening: General admission 8 to 10pm, VIP 7 to 10pm
- General admission: $74.95
- VIP: $94.95, with an extra hour of sampling and VIP-hour exclusive pours
Tickets include wine and food samples. The festival is 19+ with valid ID, and all sales are final.
“If you’ve never been before, all I can say is that expect an elevated evening of curated wines and delectable food. We think our tickets offer an amazing value for an evening of entertainment” said DeWolf.
