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Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. Photo by: GoToVan- Wikimedia.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Mission Hill Winery, Kelowna

WEST KELOWNA, British Columbia – Mission Hill Family Estate, which towers high above the Okanagan Valley’s largest city, is British Columbia’s most incredible winery – and quite plausibly the most architecturally gorgeous winery on the West Coast.

However, it is more than just a pretty face.

For the past three decades, Mission Hill Family Estate has served as a pioneer winery and leader in the rapidly expanding British Columbia wine industry. It has done so in style in the wine industry.

Mission Hill Family Estate has evolved into one of the top Great Northwest destination wineries, thanks to its architecture, restaurant, concert venue, and, of course, award-winning wines.

1.Cooking Classes in Wine Country: Canada’s best winery

From the architecture of the arched archway to the singing bell tower and the breath-taking view from the loggia, you’d swear you were in Europe. But this is Canada, and Mission Hill is one of the best wineries in the country, with a one-of-a-kind restaurant that works to pair the food with Mission Hill’s award-winning wines.

From winter to spring, the winery is buzzing with activity, hosting culinary courses, fine dining private dinners, and wine tours through their cellar within an extinct volcano.

Chef Matt Batey, CCC, is the evening’s teacher, host, storyteller, and tour guide. From 1-5pm, Chef Batey teaches guests how to cook a three-course meal, after which guests can take a break from the kitchen and tour the cellar with a glass of Riesling in hand.

Following the tour, visitors return to the kitchen to plate their results for themselves and any invited visitors. Chef Batey then tends to describe the story on your plate, the terroir that spawned the grapes in your glass, and the personal history of the owner who conceived the very winery you sit within, down to the last detail.

2.The Volcanic Wine Cellar and Canada’s best winery

The Okanagan Valley, Canada’s only desert, has a distinct climate, with mild winters ideal for harvesting ice wine and hot summers ideal for growing pinot noir grapes. The cool mountain air and breeze off Okanagan Lake are thought to give the grapes their distinct flavor.

Mission Hill Winery, built atop an extinct volcano, houses its future wines in a specialized cellar surrounded by volcanic rock – housed within the terroir that gives Okanagan grapes their unique taste.

The wines are harvested and aged in an old world style and Burgundian fashion, as Chef Matt Batey illustrated, but the grapes are grown within the distinct viticulture of the Okanagan Valley.

3.Mission Hill Winery hosts a private dinner

Okanagan – Mission Hill. Photo by: GoToVan- Wikimedia.

You will  never meet a company that cares so much about both its staff members and its customers. If you’re a fan of Mission Hill Winery, you’re in for the long haul.

Not only did they do this with locally sourced ingredients – The Terrace Restaurant is a big supporter of Okanagan farmers – but they also paired the menu with some of my favorite wines.

4.How big is Mission Hill Winery, Kelowna?

Mission Hill owns 900 acres of vines and recently purchased Cedar Creek, where they have built a multi-story winery built into the hillside, where the Martin’s Lane wines will be made. There will be a strong emphasis on Pinot Noir.

5.Brief history about Mission Hill Winery

Mission Hill. Photo by: Mack Male- Wikimedia.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery began operations on top of Boucherie Mountain in 1981, long before the region became known for its wines. They were one of the Okanagan’s first wineries!

In the late 1990s, world-renowned architect Tom Kundig began transforming the winery to give it a more refined and impressive appearance and feel. The project would take six years to complete, and the end result is the winery we all know and love today.

After many years and plaudits, Mission Hill is now regarded as one of Canada’s best wineries—in fact, they are the country’s only five-time winner of the Winery of the Year award.

6.The winemaking process

You’ll discover all about Mission Hill’s exceptional winemaking process as part of your tour!

Everything at Mission Hill is grown using ecofriendly methods. Grapes are aged using a perfect blend of old and new world methods, resulting in wines that are a combination of tradition and technology.

7.How is the temperature in this area all around the year?

Mission Hill. Photo by: Mack Male- Wikimedia

Winters here can be cold, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are generally brief. Summers can be extremely hot. Summer temperatures in July and August average 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees being common.

Because of its northern latitude, the region’s vineyards receive more daylight during the summer growing season—roughly 14 hours of direct sunlight.

In comparison to Napa Valley, the Okanagan receives about two hours more sunlight per day and has significantly higher temperatures.

However, because of the northern latitude, cool autumn weather can often arrive quickly, reducing the amount of hang time that grapes can receive.

The steeply-side slopes and surface geography create a variety of facets and microclimates throughout the valley. The wines produced range from Mosel-style Rieslings to concentrated Bordeaux-inspired red blends.

8.Lake Country/Kelowna

Mission Hill. Photo by: Mack Male- Wikimedia

The first grapes were planted in this region in 1859. It also has the oldest continuously functioning winery, Calona Vineyards, which was founded in 1932.

Gray Monk Estate, Summerville Pyramid Winery, and Quails’ Gate Winery are among the valley’s most well-known wineries. There are approximately 900 acres of vineyards spread across 44 wineries.

The soils here are heavier, with a mix of sandy loam, clay, and limestone. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are among the grape varietals grown.

9.Mission Hill Family Estate Wines

Mission Hill Family Estate produces approximately 40 different wines divided into seven categories, ranging from sleek Sauvignon Blancs to suave Pinot Noirs to bold red blends to succulent ice wines.

Wine enthusiasts will find almost any style they desire at Mission Hill Family Estate.

10.Amenities at Mission Hill Family Estate

The Mission Hill Family Estate has quite a few amenities inside that could be beneficial to tourist.

The hours of Mission Hill Family Estate vary seasonally, but the winery is generally open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Reservations are required for tours and tastings, which are available all year.

Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day are all holiday closures at the winery.

The Terrace restaurant is only open from May to September.

Gift Shop

Restaurant Concert Location

Gardens

Conference services

Food for sale, including cheeses

Kid-friendly

Handicap-accessible.