ACTIVITIES

MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE

We are fortunate to have as a neighbour the Mission Hill Family Estate.

Proprietor Anthony von Mandl states, "Making great wines and providing a special place where people can enjoy them has been my dream and my life's work. Now, it's a reality, one that my family and I want to share with everyone who visits us high atop Mission Hill."

You can find out more about their tours and wine programs.

Mission Hill will definitely be a high point in your Okanagan wine experience. Sample their excellent and award winning wines, enjoy one of many year round events, or sign up for an educational source. You will experience the true nature and art of winemaking as you walk through the vineyards and visits the underground cellars.

After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Mr. von Mandl soon realized that wine and food were his real passion. That led to a European apprenticeship in the wine trade before moving back to Canada as an importer and merchant of fine wines.

Then came time to invest in a winery. Rather than moving to an established region, he decided to put down roots in his native British Columbia, in the largely unknown Okanagan Valley. He helped to pioneer the making of fine wines in this valley. His family's driving philosophy, to be considered among the very best in the world, guides everyone associated with the winery.

John Simes is Mission Hill's Winemaker. He met Anthony von Mandl during a visit to British Columbia. During that trip, he walked the vineyards and tasted the fruit and immediately understood the region's potential. He joined Mission Hill in 1992 partway through harvest and went to work on the Grand Reserve Barrel Select Chardonnay.

In 1994, that wine took home the IWSC trophy for Best Chardonnay. When the judges found out the origin of the wine, they were stunned and insisted on re-tasting. Mission Hill still won.

As the leader of Mission Hill's grape growing and winemaking team, John's obsession with quality is responsible for a host of significant accomplishments. Such honours include the IWSC trophy, North America's only gold medal from France's 2001 Chardonnay du Monde, and Canadian Winery of the Year. He's a pioneer ideally suited to the emerging Canadian industry.

THE AREA
Geography
Weather
Wildlife
Balsamroot

ART
Performance
Art

GOLF
Okanagan Golf Club
Harvest Golf Club
Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club
Predator Ridge Golf Club
Vintage Hills Golf Course
Shannon Lake Golf Course
Ponderosa Golf Course

SKIING
Crystal Mountain
Silver Star
Big White
Apex
X-Country Skiing

RECREATION
Recreation
Nature
Boating
Beaches
Fishing
Kids
Hikes
Events
Cycling
Dining
Snowshoeing
Marina

WINE
Wineries
Okanagan Wine Festivals
Mission Hill
Special Tours
Quails' Gate Estate Winery

VISITOR INFORMATION
Tax Refund