Bernice Liu’s journey from TVB queen to wine maven: the Hong Kong-based Bellavizio founder and Miss Chinese International 2001 winner talks F&B ventures, showbiz and what’s next – exclusive interview

Beloved Hong Kong actress Bernice Liu has been, dare we say, ageing like fine wine over her years in the spotlight.

The Canadian native – who’s also a model, singer, dancer, businesswoman and certified wine maven – has been acquiring and refining an increasing number of talents with every passing year.

These days though, the Hong Kong Tourism Board ambassador channels most of her focus into her wine ventures – label Bellavizio and store Wine Maven – and has quickly cultivated a reputation as one of the movers and shakers in the industry with a vision to educate those around her. “It’s not just about the wine for me, it’s about the culture too,” Liu, 44, tells Style in a recent video call interview.

Fine wine is one of the fastest growing industries in Asia. From wine neophytes to connoisseurs, a broad range of consumers are showing interest in the beverage, though Liu was quick to seize the opportunity to establish herself in the industry over a decade ago, at the onset of her career.

She says it all started in 2008, when she was in Canada shooting King of Fighters with Maggie Q. When the team got snowed in, they took a trip to Napa. “I was going through a break-up at the time, and Napa’s all about love stories,” she recalls. Liu found love indeed, though for her it was in the form of an exquisite vintage, one that she’d try for the first time a year later.

Soon after, Liu founded her award-winning wine brand, “Bellavizio” which translates to “beautiful mistake” in Italian. Bellavizio now boasts a diverse array of wine varieties, from Bordeaux and Napa Merlot to Chardonnay. In 2019, Liu’s talent and hard work were recognised when she was named in the top 10 female winemakers at the prestigious Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards.