The world's best Pinot Noir

The Mission Hill Family Estate in British Columbias Okanagan Valley region has beaten 14,000 wines from 62 regions around the world to win a coveted International Trophy, the competitions top award, for its Mission Hill 2011 Martins 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 Worlds Best Wine.

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 Columbias 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 Estates wines.

British Columbias 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 regions abundant fruit and even heli-wine tours from Valhalla Helicopters, where you can sip and sightsee to your hearts 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.