Anthony von Mandl

Intensity, infectious passion, overcoming obstacles by innovation, and an unwavering commitment to his vision led Anthony von Mandl to begin his journey three decades ago. Without resources, Anthony founded a wine importing firm in Vancouver, Canada at the age of 22, following a brief apprenticeship in Europe. Despite difficult initial years, he successfully grew Mark Anthony Wine Merchants, and in 1981 began his audacious dream: to produce world-class wines in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Anthony risked everything to purchase a near bankrupt winery, and as no one would back his dream in this capital intensive industry, he established other businesses and industry categories in the drinks trade to self-finance, including Mike’s Hard Lemonade. He had no idea that his focus on organically creating innovative beverage brands would, on its own, become a multi-hundred million dollar business. Since its inception, Mike’s Hard Lemonade has achieved iconic brand status and in 2010 earned the distinction of being named the “˜Company of the Year’ at The Beverage Forum, the annual global beverage industry conference. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding performance in the beverage industry for companies under $1 billion in revenue.

Today, Mission Hill Family Estate has been successfully transformed into an internationally renowned landmark winery which was constructed to endure centuries and has been called “the gold standard of wineries” by Condé Nast Traveler.

A former Canadian YPO Chairman and International Board Member, Anthony has served on the Advisory Boards of the Ivey and Sauder Schools of Business. In 2005 he was awarded British Columbia’s highest provincial distinction, the Order of British Columbia. Not about to rest on his laurels, he recently built Canada’s first sustainable state-of-the-art eco craft brewery, and is about to begin construction of a self-sustaining highly specialized Pinot Noir dedicated winery.