Just a couple of hours from Vancouver via the Coquihalla highway
lies a little community that is home to one of my favorite wineries,
Mission Hill Family Estates.
Nestled in the vineyard-covered hills overlooking a serene blue
Lake Okanagan, Mission Hill resembles a Tuscan hilltown with its
walled buildings, impressive bell tower and terraces.
Proprietor Anthony von Mandl purchased the vineyard, located just
on the outskirts of Westbank, over the bridge from Kelowna, in 1981.
Beneath its walkways and grassy sculptured landscapes, the winery
boasts caves and modern winemaking facilities that would stun any
visitor. For the price of $5, which is exchanged for a voucher towards
a bottle of wine, the visitor can enter this Tuscan lookalike for
a tour and wine tasting.
The tours are on the hour and the 11 a.m. tour is perfectly timed
to end with the chiming of the bells in the tower which toll out
at noon. The tower presides over a recently completed facility.
Von Mandl commissioned the four bells, representing his father,
mother, sister and himself, from France, where they were hand-cast
and engraved with his family crest and the names of his family members.
It is a treat to hear their rich tones ringing out to the neighboring
hills.
As sleek and polished as the expansive grounds and buildings, the
wines are making a name for the winery as well. Under the direction
of winemaker John Simes, Mission Hill is producing wines that have
won many gold medals in international competitions. Its Chardonnay,
pinot gris, merlot, pinot noir and both riesling and vidal ice wine
are all worth the drive for a taste test. In 1994, Mission Hill
won Best Chardonnay in the World at London's International Wine
and Spirits competition.
And if the creamy texture, with lime and butter finish, of a Mission
Hill Pinot Blanc or the clean, fresh taste of a soft, round Sauvignon
Blanc with ripe melon and canned grapefruit aromas are not enough
for you, try taking in the newest attraction at Mission Hill –
the Bard himself. Vancouver's acclaimed Shakespearean company, Bard
on the Beach, is heading to the winery for a month-long performance
of A Midsummer Night's Dream, running Tuesdays through Sundays
at 7:30 p.m., from July 31 to Aug. 31, in the estate's outdoor amphitheatre
overlooking the lake and vineyards. Tickets are $30 per person and
can be ordered by calling 604-739-0559 or, toll-free, 877-739-0559.
A package of dinner, theatre and wine, costs $79. Advance booking
is required.
Summer hours for the winery are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during July and
August and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. September to June, at 1730 Mission Hill
Rd., Westbank. Call 250-768-7611 for directions.
Jannette Edmonds is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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