Winery of Mission Hill, Okanagan Valley, BC Special

Westbank - Mission Hill is a special place famous in central Okanagan Valley. The catching phrase of “the New World wine region” can easily bring anyone here who will take a short drive off Hwy 97, the main communication vein of the region.

Mission Hill is a family owned and run winery. Anthony von Mandl, the proprietor, funded the winery in 1981, in the region where growing grapes dates back to 1860’s. The Okanagan Valley has the only Canada’s desert and the region is the warmest for grape cultivation and wine making in the entire country. Mission Hills Family Estate winery overlooks Okanagan Lake in Westbank, BC. Six years ago, the proprietor started a project to renovate the estates that has lots of interesting architectural elements. Here there are entrance and keystone, courtyard, terrace, loggia, bell tower amongst others. Now the project has been completed.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Main entry to Mission Hill Family Estates, Westbank, BC.

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But the main architect of the estates is its Chief Winemaker, John Simes, a New Zealander who has been at Mission Hill since 1992. John has his winning Sauvignon Blanc category in his native country in 1990 but after joining the Mission Hill, he added another award in another category of wine, Grand Reserve Barrel Select Chardonnay, that made him a second winner in different type of wine in two different countries within short five years.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

General view of the courtyard - utdoor terrace to the left, The Bell Tower to the right and the Amphiteatre on the grass - Mission Hill Family Estates, Westbank, BC.

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The winery has underground barrel cellar that can be visited as part of Tour and Tasting Program. Outside, on the terrace that overlooks Okanagan Lake, along with the wine experience, the Winery Chef of the Estates offers food (in the style of Cuisine de Terroir) and wine that complement each other. The Terrace is selected by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the top five world wine restaurants. Also, there's a local wine store where everybody can get a sample of of locally made wines as well get a bottle or two to take home.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Vineyards by the Okanagan Lake, BC.

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Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Decoration of the entry to the Mission Hill Family Estate; far away the Bell Tower.

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