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“Mission Hill Family Estates” Taps Darryl Brooker As Incoming Chief Winemaker

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The GOODS from Mission Hill Family Estate

West Kelowna, BC | VMF Estates Proprietor Anthony von Mandl, today announced that after 23 transformative years of putting the Okanagan Valley on the world wine map, John Simes has decided to transition from his role as Chief Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate to allow him to focus on the von Mandl Family’s diverse and exceptional Okanagan vineyards. Said Simes: “I see our vineyards as the last frontier in allowing our wines to become amongst the most sought after in the world. Our terroir and microclimates are found nowhere else, and it now comes down to a relentless quest to drive the most in terms of quality and distinctiveness out of each and every vine. Twenty years ago, no one believed that wines like Oculus, Compendium and Perpetua were possible, or that an Okanagan Pinot Noir such as Martin’s Lane would make the world stage in London. With the von Mandl Family’s commitment to continuously raising the bar and their commitment to leading edge research and technology in our vineyards, there is no telling where we can go from here.”

Following the addition of CedarCreek Estate Winery, located across the lake from Mission Hill Family Estate in early 2014, the family created VMF Estates (von Mandl Family Estates) to encompass the Family’s winery and vineyards in the Okanagan Valley which began with Mission Hill in 1981, which at the time was one of only five wineries in the Valley.

“Our Family’s pioneering efforts to place our Valley on the world wine map began more than 30 years ago at a time when no one even contemplated the possibility of producing wines in this region that could stand next to the best in the world,” said Anthony von Mandl. “Since then it has been a relentless quest driven on a passionate belief that the terroir and microclimates of the Okanagan, which are found here and nowhere else in the world, could deliver on that dream.”

In 1992, after an extensive international search, Anthony von Mandl convinced a young, star New Zealand winemaker, John Simes, to join Mission Hill Family Estate just in time for the fall harvest. His first vintage of Mission Hill ‘Grand Reserve’ (now the ‘Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay’) won the trophy for ‘Best Chardonnay in the World’ at the 1994 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.

“This was the first time I knew my dream had legs,” continued von Mandl. “John has gone on to transform not only our wines, but the world’s perception of our region – indeed he put the Okanagan Valley on the world wine map. Along the way, John was also instrumental in assembling our Family’s extraordinary collection of estate vineyards located throughout the Valley from West Kelowna in the North, to Osoyoos in the South, on the US border.”

With the addition of CedarCreek Estate Winery early last year, VMF Estates was fortunate to add another passionate, talented and relentless winemaker, Australian-born Darryl Brooker who had worked tirelessly to take CedarCreek to the next level for the preceding four years.

Over the next several months, Darryl will transition to assume the role of Chief Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate with the 2015 harvest. John will complete the winemaking and all final blending for the remarkable 2014 vintage and will remain a key resource to Darryl to ensure Mission Hill’s continuing legacy of numerous icon wines he has crafted such as the award-winning Oculus.

Darryl brings a breadth of experience to Mission Hill that began at Mountadam Vineyards in Australia, followed by Villa Maria in New Zealand and experience in crafting world class wines at Flat Rock Cellars, Hillebrand and Thirty Bench wineries in Ontario.

In commenting on his appointment, Darryl Brooker stated: “It will be a privilege to make some of Canada’s most iconic wine brands found exclusively in the Mission Hill portfolio – wines that deliver exceptional quality in every vintage. The passion behind the Mission Hill brand and the unwavering commitment to help put the Okanagan Valley on the international wine map is something I am incredibly motivated by and excited to be a part of.”

With an optimistic look to the future von Mandl states: “My Family and I could not be more pleased for John and Darryl’s next moves. They both share the same winemaking philosophy and commitment to excellence and continuous improvement that we need to take us and the Okanagan to new levels of international acclaim that few today even contemplate is possible. The first and formative Chapter of our region and Mission Hill Family Estate has been written – now we begin the second.”

DETAILS

1730 Mission Hill Road | West Kelowna, BC V4T 2E4
Telephone: 250-768-7611
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.missionhillwinery.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Hours

The Winery is open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm with wine tasting and tours offered.
The Terrace is open from May to October for lunch and dinner. For restaurant or tour reservations, visit our website, or call 250-768-6467

Gallery

  • cellar
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  • tasting
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The Team

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Proprietor: Anthony von Mandl
President: Rick Bonitati
Chief Winemaker: John Simes
Executive Winery Chef: Chris Stewart
Wine Education: Ingo Grady

About Mission Hill Family Estate

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“The centerpiece of the Canadian wine tourism industry…understated wines which rank among the country’s best and the Terrace Restaurant on the estate’s front lawn is one of the most glorious dining experiences around.” Travel & Leisure Magazine

Located in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Mission Hill Family Estate is a family-owned winery that crafts boutique wines. Majestic mountains, scenic lakes, and lush orchards encase the winery’s dramatic architecture and culminate in a setting that celebrates wine, food and the arts. Our Chief Winemaker John Simes, uses a ‘pruning to bottle’ program for the viticulture to winemaking process that ensures all our wines reflect the origin and unique character of the Valley. Visit us at the winery’s Education Centre for workshops and seminars on tastings, viticulture, wine and food pairings and more or enjoy our elegant tasting salons which provide a luxurious setting for an exclusive sampling of Mission Hill Family Estate wines.

We invite you to join us for patio dining at The Terrace and enjoy lunch or tapas overlooking our lush vineyards. Our Winery Chef’s innovative culinary style of Cuisine de Terroir, a seasonal and regional approach to gastronomy, is globally influenced, but locally crafted. Our Chef selects only the freshest local ingredients and seasonal fare is handcrafted to compliment our wines. Year round private dining is also available with the pinnacle Chef’s Table dining experience, an intimate evening with our renowned Winery Chef.

The Terrace is a proud member of OceanWise.

Accolades

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Mission Hill Family Estate has been honoured with numerous awards including:

* 4 Times Winery of the Year 2001 + 2007. Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards, 2011 Intervin International Wine Competition and 2013 Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada
* Best Chardonnay 1994, International Wine and Spirits Competition
* The Terrace, Top Five Winery Restaurants in the World by Travel and Leisure Magazine
* The Terrace, Best Okanagan Restaurant, Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards

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