Mission Hill Estate Winery in West Kelowna has been named Canada’s winery of the year for 2025 by the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. The judges praised Mission Hill Top Winery for its blend of quality and consistency. This marks the sixth time the estate has captured the top national honor since the event began in 2001.
Chief winemaker Taylor Whelan said the award shows the team’s commitment to craft. He noted more than forty years of steady growth. Whelan highlighted the estate’s shift to sustainable farming and its focus on terroir. He added that Mission Hill’s tasting experiences help raise the Okanagan’s profile worldwide.
The awards took place in Penticton from June 21 to June 25. Wine writers, educators and sommeliers from across Canada gathered to judge entries. Category winners were revealed beginning July 17. The final announcement on a late July Friday crowned Mission Hill Top Winery as the overall winner.
Other British Columbia interior estates also made the top 25 list. Laughing Stock in Naramata and Meyer Family in Okanagan Falls earned high marks. Kelowna’s SpearHead and Quails’ Gate in West Kelowna were recognized. Tantalus in Kelowna and Township 7 in Naramata also featured. CedarCreek, Stag’s Hollow, Moon Curser, Orofino, Black Hills and Lightning Rock rounded out the strong regional showing.
This year, Mission Hill captured ten medals for its 2020 to 2023 vintages. Two wines achieved platinum status: the 2022 Perpetua and the 2022 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc. These top awards reflect the estate’s skill in both red and white varieties. The medal haul underscores Mission Hill’s ongoing focus on quality.
In a separate honor, Laughing Stock Vineyards was named Canada’s top small winery on the Thursday before the main awards. That win further cemented British Columbia’s dominance at the 2025 event. It also showed the depth of talent among smaller producers in the region.
With this sixth win, Mission Hill Estate Winery extends its record as the most awarded winery in WineAlign history. The team plans to build on this success by refining its wine styles and enhancing guest experiences. Wine lovers will watch closely to see how Mission Hill evolves after its 2025 triumph.
