Original article by Natalie Wong | The Drinks Business
Step into the world of Bernice Liu, a successful actress and passionate vintner, as she shares her love for wine, her admiration for her mother, and her dreams of hosting an unforgettable dinner party. In a captivating interview with dbHK, Bernice unveils her journey from the entertainment industry to winemaking, discussing her brand ‘Bellavizio’ and its expansion from Napa to Bordeaux. Balancing her acting career, charitable endeavors, and the pursuit of winemaking, Bernice’s zest for life is contagious. With her infectious smile and genuine kindness, she embodies the driving force behind Bellavizio and strives to make a positive impact.
Join her as she envisions her ideal dinner guests—Wonder Woman, Mother Teresa, and her beloved grandmother—and selects three exquisite wines, including Pétrus 1979, Bellavizio 2010, and Latour 1979, to accompany this extraordinary gathering. Bernice Liu’s story is one of following dreams, embracing challenges, and cherishing the moments that truly make life sparkle.
Bernice Liu’s Proust Q&A
A successful actress in her own right, the Hong Kong-based Canadian, Bernice Liu, made an unexpected foray into wine a decade ago. In 2008, she set up the ‘Bellavizio’ brand, making wines in Napa and Bordeaux. Starting off with a Napa Chardonnay and Merlot, her wine range has now grown to include a Bordeaux-blend red and white. Splitting her time between acting, charity work and winemaking, the newly turned vintner also attended Hong Kong’s inaugural Women of Wine Festival on 10 March to introduce her wines. In this interview, Bernice talks to dbHK about her mother, her love for Bordeaux and her ideal dinner guest – Wonder Woman.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Bernice Liu: A balance of both my work in the entertainment industry and my hobby/passion for wine & charity, and a family that I can share it with!
What is your greatest fear?
Bernice Liu: I’m afraid of heights!
Which living person do you most admire?
Bernice Liu: My mom, she is like a supermom! She supports all of her kids, grandchildren, and my dad in pursuing whatever crazy dreams we may have, being the backbone for our family of five living in four different countries. She will come to any of us if we need a shoulder to cry on. She is strong and solid as a rock, but still fluffy and soft like a pillow.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Bernice Liu: I bought a studio in Hong Kong so I could have a space to cook, chill, play video games in, and enjoy wines with friends.
What is your current state of mind?
Bernice Liu: It’s actually quite all over the place. I’m currently shooting a TV drama series for ViuTV, a TV programme introducing hidden jewels of Hong Kong for Cable TV, as well as preparing Bellavizio for the upcoming first Women of Wine event in Hong Kong, and getting ready to take off to Singapore in March to shoot season 2 of ‘Lion Moms’.
What is the quality you most like in another person?
Bernice Liu: Genuine kindness. Kindness can be in many forms and it’s the quality that keeps me motivated; it is what I set out to be the main driving force of Bellavizio. I’ve kept true to my heart and to my, what I call, ‘passion project’.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Bernice Liu: God, his strength and repeated presence in my life is something I don’t take for granted. What my grandmother brought into our family was the knowledge of Him, His love & guidance, which I know will always be around us.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Bernice Liu: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “what goes around comes around”.
When and where were you happiest?
Bernice Liu: For the past few years, I must say going to Bordeaux is like ‘air’ to me… I have great friends there. The place is beautiful, and I feel I can breathe. Even if it’s only a couple of days sometimes, I can really shut off and enjoy the food, the wine, the people, and the place even after all these years.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Bernice Liu: The ability to swim. I can’t swim. I’ve tried, and I keep sinking!
Which talent would you most like to have?
Bernice Liu: The ability to speak many different languages instantly. Then I could go anywhere and be able to communicate with everyone instantly.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Bernice Liu: I haven’t yet? I would like to think the best is yet to come…
Where would you most like to live?
Bernice Liu: Anywhere that my partner is, is where I would most like to be.
What is your most treasured possession?
Bernice Liu: A gift from my parents.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Bernice Liu: My smile, people say my smile is really big.
Who is your favourite writer?
Bernice Liu: Mr. Janneau.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Bernice Liu: Not sure if I have one…
What is it that you most dislike?
Bernice Liu: Negative people.
What is your greatest regret?
Bernice Liu: That I didn’t discover the world of wine earlier!
What is your motto?
Bernice: Follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible.
Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?
Bernice: Wonder Woman, Mother Teresa and my grandma. Pétrus 1979, Bellavizio 2010 and Latour 1979.
