You'll all know who this 'Winery of the Year' is

Whoa!

Mission Hill Family Estate in West Kelowna really racked up the platinum and gold medals at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

Two platinum and seven gold, in fact.

So many prestigious medals means Mission Hill was also crowned 2025 'Winery of the Year.'

"This landmark win underscores our teams' deep commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and terroir-driven expressions," said Mission Hill chief winemaker Taylor Whelan.

"Through over 40 years of operation, Mission Hill has continued to evolve, adopting sustainable farming practices, creating exceptional tasting and culinary experiences at our estate and making a significant contribution to the Okanagan's reputation on the world stage."

In fact, if you know or know about only one Okanagan winery it's likely Mission Hill.

As Whelan mentioned, it's been around for over four decades, winning so many accolades along the way, it's an architectural wonder atop a volcanic hill in West Kelowna and if you only visit one winery in the Okanagan, it's likely the one.

In fact, Mission Hill has now won WineAlign 'Winery of the Year' six times -- the most in the competition's 25-year history.

WineAlign is considered Canada's largest and most distinguished wine contest.

Mission Hill also has a high-profile owner -- alcoholic beverages billionaire Anthony von Mandl, who Forbes estimates to be worth US$4.9 billion.

Besides owning Okanagan properties under the Iconic Wineries of British Columbia umbrella (Mission Hill, CedarCreek, CheckMate, Road 13, Liquidity, Red Barn and Martin's Lane) von Mandl's Mark Anthony Group founded White Claw Hard Seltzer and Mike's Hard Lemonade and imports an array of international brands.

The 'Winery of the Year' crown is based on Mission Hill's medal haul from the competition of wines tasted and judged June 21-25 in Penticton.

- Platinum: 2022 Perpetua chardonnay ($65)

- Platinum: 2022 Terroir Cabernet Franc (for club members only)

- Gold: 2021 Oculus (Bordeaux-style red blend) (new vintage not yet listed on website)

- Gold: 2023 Terroir Chardonnay (for club members only)

- Gold: 2020 Compendium ($85) (Bordeaux-style red blend)

- Gold: 2022 Terroir Cabernet Sauvignon (for club members only)

- Gold: 2020 Quatrain ($85) (Syrah-led red blend)

- Gold: 2023 Perpetua chardonnay (new vintage not yet listed on website)

- Gold: 2022 Terroir Meritage (for club members only, new vintage not yet listed on website) (Bordeaux-style red blend)

A special 'Winery of the Year' Celebratory Set has just gone on sale at https://www.missionhillwinery.com/product/winealign-winery-of-the-year-celebratory-set for $212 and includes a bottle each of the award-winning Perpetua, Compendium and Terroir Meritage.

Mission Hill is also using the medal wins and 'Winery of the Year' pronouncement to promote its 'Iconic Experiences' available this summer, by appointment only and bookable at: https://www.missionhillwinery.com/

The experiences include the 'Iconic Oculus Experience' to taste the 100-point wine in the Chagall Room, which is inspired by von Mandl's living room; other tours and tastings; dining at The Terrace; fully personalized 'Iconic Dining Experiences'; and shopping at the carefully curated Boutique.

Unfortunately, the summer concert series in the winery's outdoor amphitheatre is almost over.

So far, Blue Rodeo, Jann Arden and Andy Grammer have performed and the upcoming Gipsy Kings show on Aug. 21 is sold out.