VICTORIA TEA FESTIVAL: REVIVAL LINEUP

Cloudwalker Tea is the current project for tea visionary and trailblazer Erick Smithe. Cloudwalker specializes primarily in the teas of Yunnan, notably Pu-Erh. His training in Antique Pu-Erh sets him apart as one of a rare breed of Tea presenters and sourcing ‘high-hands’.

The dynamic duo, Claudia Tse and Janice Chan, are set to bring a vibrant tea ceremony workshop and stellar teas to the Victoria Tea Fest Revival on October 4th, 2025. A women-owned boutique tea company based in Vancouver Canada, Teakan is a curator of innovative and modern tea experiences, while honouring tea’s rich histories and cherished traditions from China and Japan!

Derived from their heritage, Teakan 茶間 is not just a brand; it is a reminder for us all to make time 時間 and space 空間 for tea 茶.

We are delighted to welcome back Daniel Lui, owner of The Chinese Tea Shop, to the Victoria Tea Fest Revival this year on October 4th, 2025!

It all began in 2002, when Daniel opened his specialty boutique to customers from around the world. The shop offers a wide range of unique teaware spanning various eras, tea lessons on Gong Fu Cha, and a welcoming exchange of knowledge that continues to draw visitors. These are a few of the many happenings that the shop continues to offer.

Daniel is a humble educator on all things tea! He is a patient listener and dedicated teacher. Daniel insists on the highest quality in everything he offers—from the best teas to instruction to tea and teaware (some ancient ones on display in the Tea Ware Museum).

Maccha enthusiasts, educators, and farm direct importers, JagaSilk has had transparent mill dates since our inception in 2005; milled in-house since 2018. Farm direct loose teas, micro-milled stir-in tea lattes, and precisely brewed kombucha. They believe in beauty, balance, and ethical business.

Rooted in years of travel and trusted relationships with artisan farmers, Leaf and Craft offers a curated collection of premium Taiwanese teas that honours sustainability, authenticity, and tradition. Each small-batch tea is carefully selected and handcrafted, sourced directly from Taiwan’s famed regions like Alishan, Pinglin, Luye and Sun Moon Lake. From delicate floral oolongs to rich roasted classics, every cup tells a story and invites a sensory journey. At Leaf and Craft, tea is more than a beverage, it’s a ritual and a meaningful connection to nature.

Suribachi Herbal is a small seasonal practice rooted in everyday care.

Through oxymels, herbs, and shared rituals, the project explores nourishment not as optimization, but as attention — to body, season, and the spaces we share with others.

Trudy Ann’s Chai was born from a cherished family tradition that began in 1988 with a perfect cup of masala chai. The masala (a mix of spices) is brewed with the chai (tea), lovingly crafted by Aunty Pramila.

Today, the family carries on this tradition, often welcoming their friends for a 4pm cup of tea, which has become a favourite part of the day.

They only prepare organic food at home. With the quest to find organic teas and spices rather than the inorganic, generic products at the markets, which led to the creation of Trudy Ann’s Chai.

Over the years, they have crafted a perfect blend of spices for a delicious cup of masala chai, crafted in small batches using all organic ingredients without additives or essential oils. The flavors really come directly from the natural ingredients!

Trudy Ann’s Chai black tea comes from Assam, India, and the Rooibos tea comes from South Africa. Each batch of tea is obtained immediately after harvest, ensuring freshness in every cup. The spices come from small organic farms around the world, reinforcing their dedication to quality and authenticity.

The cooking spices are from old family recipes, and are dry-roasted before grinding, enhancing their flavours.

Kisses To Go Artisan Tea Company crafts organic, hand-blended teas designed to nurture the body and spirit. Based in Victoria, B.C. and female-led, our blends combine wellness-focused botanicals with unique flavour profiles.

Serenaded with 432Hz Heart Chakra vibrations, our blends offer a soothing and intentional experience, perfect for sipping or creative uses like herbal cocktails.

Softer Drink AKA Softer Specialty Drink Corporation based in Victoria BC.

They are an online vendor and distributor of choice specialty beverages. Seeking alternatives to your alternatives, from next-gen non-alc to unique craft sodas, with a heavy emphasis on pu'er tea and gongfu teaware. They are the North American distributors of Melbourne-based KUURACorp. As Chinese tea specialists, Softer is proud to offer the best of small-pressing Yunnan teas, from ripe and raw pu'er to sun-dried black and white teas. Working hard to embody the philosophy: Drink Tea, Do Nothing.

A BC family business founded on Cortes Island in 2003.

It’s their mission to source the freshest, highest-quality organic products from around the world and offer them to customers.

They value the relationships they’ve built with their partners and give back 1% of total sales to grassroots projects in the communities where their products are grown.

Their homestead on 2.5 acres of land on Cortes Island feeds their family and allows them to grow some of the herbs for their All-Canadian Culinary Herb Collection.

Kisses To Go Artisan Tea Company crafts organic, hand-blended teas designed to nurture the body and spirit. Based in Victoria, B.C. and female-led, our blends combine wellness-focused botanicals with unique flavour profiles.

Serenaded with 432Hz Heart Chakra vibrations, our blends offer a soothing and intentional experience, perfect for sipping or creative uses like herbal cocktails.

Murder Bay Mushrooms is a small family mushroom farm nestled by the Salish Sea in East Sooke. They have been growing commercially since 2018, and offer Oyster mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, Coralloides, Shiitake, Maitake, Chestnut, Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Cordyceps mushrooms. They use these mushrooms for their teas and drink mixes, as well as fresh and dried products. Murder Bay Mushrooms is a growing business, and they are very grateful for the incredible support from the local ‘Mushroom’ community.

At Island Elixir Tea Company, they believe that choosing high-quality loose-leaf tea and beautiful accessories makes life better. Their teas, blended and packaged with love in Canada, are more than just a beverage—they are an experience, a ritual, and a way to bring moments of calm and connection into your day.

Every blend is created with a deep respect for flavour and tradition, crafted using real ingredients from marshmallow to mint, chamomile to cranberry. They focus on using what Mother Nature has to offer. They source their teas and herbs from producers who prioritize sustainability and exceptional taste. Whether you’re seeking something off the beaten track or a refined take on a classic, their blends are designed to surprise, delight, and elevate your tea-drinking experience.

Greg Demmons – Korean Tea Ceremony

Greg Demmons studied the full range of Korean tea ceremonies for four and a half years under Master Kim Kyung-ui at Cho Inmok Darye Kyoshil in Icheon, South Korea. Today, he focuses on the Meditation Tea Ceremony (묭상차), a practice that emphasizes energy, intention, and the offering of spirit through each bowl of tea. His performances create a space of stillness and presence, where tea becomes both meditation and connection.

The Chado Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association is a nonprofit organization. They are open to anyone interested in the Japanese Way of Tea. They offer tea demonstrations, lessons, workshops, and other tea-related events.

Led by third-generation tea artisan Dominique Yan, Aroma Tea House combines generations of tea knowledge with a passion for preserving traditional tea craftsmanship. Specializing in premium loose-leaf teas and authentic tea experiences, the company is committed to quality, education, and the artistry behind every cup.

Drawing on generations of family experience and training with master tea roasters in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China, Dominique specializes in the traditional art of oolong tea roasting. Aroma Tea House is one of the few tea companies in Canada to roast its oolong teas in-house, allowing each batch to develop greater depth, complexity, and character.

Every cup reflects a respect for tradition, careful craftsmanship, and a passion for bringing the world's finest teas to Canadian tea lovers.

“Where the cracks become constellations.” Traditional urushi kintsugi restoring broken pottery and porcelain with natural lacquer and precious metals. Each repair honors breakage, time, and transformation while exploring the quiet beauty found in imperfection.

Founded in Montreal in 1998, Camellia Sinensis takes its name from the botanical designation of the tea plant itself. For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to sourcing and sharing some of the world’s finest teas. Each year, our team of professional tea tasters travels extensively throughout Asia’s most renowned tea-producing regions, carefully selecting exceptional teas directly from producers in China, Japan, Taiwan, India, and beyond.

Our philosophy is rooted in authenticity, freshness, and direct trade. By working closely with tea farmers and artisans, we are able to offer an outstanding collection of single-origin teas sourced from the most recent harvests, an uncommon commitment within the tea industry. Our catalogue features a diverse range of premium white, green, matcha, black, wulong (oolong), pu-erh, scented, and herbal teas, curated to meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

Today, Camellia Sinensis is a trusted partner to a wide variety of hospitality and retail businesses across Canada and abroad, including Michelin-starred restaurants, cafés, bakeries, tea houses, hotels, office environments, and specialty food retailers. Our reputation is built on a combination of deep tea expertise, rigorous sourcing practices, and a highly personalized approach to customer service.

At this festival, Denman Island Tea Co. is proud to pour their signature blends, share their story, and invite you to slow down, sip, and savour the moment.

Daily Fresh Victoria: Bringing the Heart of Chai Culture to Victoria

Located in the heart of Victoria, Daily Fresh Supermarket is more than a place to shop—it’s a celebration of South Asian food, flavours, and traditions. Its also a performance Art of making tea.

At the centre of our tea experience is our authentic Samovar Chai, prepared with care and inspired by the timeless chai traditions of the Indian subcontinent. Served from our iconic samovar, our chai is about more than just a cup of tea—it’s about slowing down, sharing a moment, and bringing people together.

Our chai pairs beautifully with our selection of homemade and traditional snacks, prepared with the flavours and warmth of home. From savoury favourites to sweet treats, our snacks are made to complement a comforting cup of chai and introduce Victoria to the tastes and stories behind South Asian tea culture.

We believe tea has a special way of connecting people across cultures and generations. That is why Daily Fresh Victoria is a natural match for the Victoria Tea Festival. Our goal is to bring an authentic, welcoming, and memorable chai experience to the festival while sharing a little piece of the culture and hospitality that inspires us every day.

For us, chai isn’t simply a beverage. It is tradition, conversation, hospitality, and community—served one cup at a time.

We look forward to sharing our Samovar Chai and homemade treats with the Victoria community on October 3, 2026.

At Heslaa Tea, they are committed to maintaining Sri Lankan traditional time-honored practices to deliver superior quality Ceylon tea to the world. Their meticulous process guarantees the purity and authenticity of their tea, providing a delightful experience in every sip.

Yu Ming Tao Ancient Tea Garden is a premier producer and curator of fine authentic teas and traditional tea ritual essentials. Deeply rooted in the high-altitude mountains of Yunnan, China—the historic birthplace of tea—our ancient tea gardens are home to centuries-old tea trees cultivated with respect for nature and tradition.
We specialize in harvesting and processing pure, high-grade Yunnan teas, offering rich, complex flavor profiles that reflect the unique terroir and artisanal craftsmanship of our heritage. Beyond our exceptional tea leaves, Yu Ming Tao provides a curated selection of refined tea accessories essential for the authentic tea ceremony experience. Our collection features handcrafted Zisha (Yixing clay) teapots, precision-crafted tea cups, and elegant brewing utensils designed to enhance every aspect of tea appreciation.

Paul has been a self taught tea enthusiast for the last decade or so. Originally becoming obsessed with tea while living in Newfoundland, it wasn’t until he moved to the Comox Valley in 2019 that he realized the amazing potential for growing tea plants here on Vancouver Island. He quickly became very fascinated with this idea and has been on a journey to share his passion for creating tea and connecting much deeper to the Camellia Sinensis plant itself ever since.

Claudia took her first pottery class on 2 June, 2015. She fell deeply and instantly in love with clay immediately. She was working in the fast paced finance industry in Hong Kong at the time and discovered pottery had the power to melt away stress; the throwing process was her form of meditation.

Clay is a medium with infinite possibilities, each type of clay behaves and reacts differently and as a potter, it excites her to no end to get to know each one more intimately and discover their great potential. Though it can’t speak to you, the way it transforms shape with the ebb and flow of pressure you apply, this is another form of communication that can only be experienced by touch.

When she’s at the wheel, it’s almost as if time stands still. All you can do is focus on one millimetre at a time. Go as slow as you can, forget about how each piece will turn out and just as with life, trust that everything will always be a ‘work in progress’.