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Looking to the future is nothing new for Anthony von Mandl, owner of Mission Hill Family Estate in British Columbia.
The winery's signature bell tower is visible from both sides of Okanagan Lake, whether you're entering British Columbia's third-largest city from the Connector from Vancouver or the airport northeast of the city. As a result, it has acted as a signpost to British Columbia wine country since it was built in two decades ago.
Before the opening of the landmark winery in 2002, the Okanagan Valley was more famous for its beaches and peaches. Von Mandl saw beyond the fruit stands, boat rentals, and ice cream stops, launching a European-style estate that set a much-needed visitor standard for the region. Since that time, BC wine country has flourished with wineries, wines and a rich and unique wine and food culture.
While many think they have reached the summit, Mission Hill is forging a new visitor experience in 2020 that involves replacing the 50-year-old drop-in, stand-up, tastings with more focused and personal interactions. Storytelling and reserved experiences are the new standard, with personal tours that begin in the vineyard, or the cellar and can include food pairings. It's similar to how wine critics has engaged with wines for decades and it makes sense that the people who buy the wines get to do the same. In this video, we sit down with Mission Hill President and Winemaker Darryl Brooker to take you on a visit to the winery, its vineyards and offer a glimpse of Mission Hill's new visitor experiences.
To book your appointment this summer: Mission Hill Family Estate Website
Learn more: Read Anthony Gismondi's Vancouver Sun article "Mission Hill Leads the Way..", June 27, 2020.
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