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The world’s best Pinot Noir

The Mission Hill Family Estate in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley region has beaten 14,000 wines from 62 regions around the world to win a coveted International Trophy, the competition’s top award, for its Mission Hill 2011 Martin’s Lane Pinot Noir (Decanter World Wine Awards under £15 category, London, October 2013). It is the first time a single wine variety (red or white) from any region in the world has won both a Regional Trophy for Best Wine and an International Trophy for World’s Best Wine. Mission Hill Winery In 1994, Mission Hill Family Estate put the Okanagan Valley on the map when it won the International Wine & Spirit Competition for Best Chardonnay in the World. Mission Hill is one of more than 100 wineries, many award-winning, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The tasting bar is open daily and The Terrace Restaurant, considered to be one of the best winery restaurants in the world, offers culinary workshops alongside seasonal menus which complement the Estate’s wines. British Columbia’s wine country, with more than 100 wineries, can be explored on self-drive tours or as part of tour packages including escorted tours from BC cities. It is a perfect halfway stopping point for fly-drives through BC, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean and city of Vancouver. Outdoor lovers can also experience an abundance of cyling tracks, including The Kettle Valley cycle path along a disused train track, or enjoy a round or two on one of the 50+ 18-hole golf courses. To complement the wineries, there are tours of local distilleries utilising the region’s abundant fruit and even heli-wine tours from Valhalla Helicopters, where you can sip and sightsee to your heart’s content, exploring more than 30 wineries in the Okanagan. The Decanter World Wine Awards are judged by 219 individuals from 27 countries, including 75 Masters of Wine and 13 Master Sommeliers.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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3 Comments

  1. I would also argue one of the best winery experiences with its wine cellar within an extinct volcano, the architecture and staff all make it worthy of a visit and my favourite winery within my home valley of the Okanagan.

  2. A great award to a relatively young pinot noir planting/programme within Mission Hill’s organization. They are truly the landmark winery in the Okanagan, and this award shows it goes further than just amazing architecture and their already outstanding repertoire.

    Thanks for the great article ALTB!

  3. Well said!

    Who knows though, there are so many other great experiences to be had at each of the many wineries throughout the Valley!

    Mixed feelings about everyone getting in on ‘our little secret’ wine region. Haha

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