Stay Curious: Bernice Liu's Lifelong Journey of Wine and Beyond
WRITTEN BY FÊTE CHINOISE EDITORIAL TEAM
IMAGES: George Pimentel, tim Chin, Deborah Lau-YU
On Bernice: RVNG Couture and Qeelin. Styled by Ashley Galang.
We were honoured to host Bernice Liu at our Toronto Signature Event on February 3rd, 2024. Bernice, a beloved Canadian actor, has captivated audiences not only through her on-screen performances but also through her remarkable journey as a winemaker and cultural ambassador. Having previously graced the pages of Edition 7 of Fête Chinoise, it was a pleasure to catch up with Bernice once again and delve into her diverse career and profound insights.
Bernice is a cultural enthusiast. For her, culture encompasses everything: “Past, present, and future. Arts, beliefs, institutions…the way of life as we define it as a society.” Born and raised in British Columbia, she felt compelled to learn and share about her own Chinese roots when she was starting her career. Her grandparents' stories, shared since her youth, fuelled her curiosity about Chinese-Canadian history and their contributions to shaping Canadian society. Bernice's journey as a facilitator or cultural travel journalist now allows her to explore her heritage further, shedding light on the diverse history and voices of the Chinese diaspora in Canada.
Her journey background has shaped her acute vision for the intersection of art, entertainment, and lifestyle. While art, wine, and jewellery may be luxuries, she appreciated them not only in value but also culturally. “With entertainment, it allows for these to be visibly appreciated and for more to share in the change through different mediums such as entertainment in television, on stage, in movies, and even live events.”
The humble actress positions herself as a #studentforlife. She believes there isn’t a need to confine oneself to a specific identity or title, as it may limit the possibilities of what one can achieve. Bernice's journey exemplifies this sentiment, as she ventured into winemaking in 2008 without any prior background. Through meeting interesting people and passionate mentors who taught her the intricacies of winemaking, she established her own wine label, Bellavizio, linking her "chemistry side" with her passion, and founded Wine Maven.
“Bellavizio was and still is a passion project,” said Bernice. The philanthropist has been supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation for over 16 years and has been incorporating her love for supporting a good cause into her wine-related events and auctions. She looks forward to hosting an open event for Bellavizio in 2024, expanding its reach beyond traditional auctions.
SPONSORED BY TIFFANY & CO.
Bernice's exploration and keenness to learn are deeply rooted in her cultural background and instilled by her parents. Her journey in Hong Kong has also provided her with many inspirations, as reflected in her deep appreciation for art and cultural experiences showcased on her Instagram. “The more you know, the more it inspires my curiosity to know even more, and you begin to realize the crossovers in time, culture, and reflections on oneself.” Stay curious is the key, “It not only keeps you young and energetic, but it drives positivity in yourself and others to do better and do more!”
Her pursuit of knowledge led her to graduate from the INSEAD Global Executive MBA program in 2023, expanding her understanding of business dynamics. It is never wrong to take a step back and learn more. “Anyone is capable of learning at any age, it might be more difficult, take more time, method of learning might be different as well, but it is never too late!”
2024 holds promising ventures for Bernice, as she assumes the role of content advisor and provider for Cathay Pacific’s Online Shop and embarks on collaborations with the South China Morning Post and the Standard Chartered Bank. “There’s nothing to lose, only something to gain. In the process, remember to enjoy it as much as possible!” We eagerly anticipate Bernice's continued growth and endeavours in the coming year and wish her heartening story will give you more inspiration.
Some Behind the Scenes with Bernice in Toronto:
Bringing popular cultural foods and beverages to market in a place as culturally diverse as Canada is an enriching journey for entrepreneurs and consumers. We continue to hone in on bubble tea with another innovator and industry leader that has brought a drink that a majority of our readers are bound to have tried. Drawing on his experience of introducing Chatime to Canada 13 years ago and overseeing its growth ever since, Kenton knows firsthand that the bubble tea market is highly competitive, with new brands constantly emerging. Staying authentic, high-quality, and offering customizable options are key.