The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tasted wine and picked grapes at Mission Hill Winery in British Columbia as part of their tour of Canada...
William and Kate visit Canadian winery
The Duke and Duchess stopped by Mission Hill Winery on the afternoon of 27 September, as part of the Taste of British Columbia Festival.
In the vineyard they tried their hand at picking some Pinot Noir grapes, and at the winery they also got to sample Indian food cooked by chef Vikram Vij.
Prince William and Kate Middleton set to work at Mission Hill Winery. Credit: Getty/Photo by Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage
‘Weather, food, wine: what more could you want?’ said the Duke of Cambridge, according to CTV News in Canada.
The wines served by Mission Hill included the Oculus 2012, a Bordeaux-style blend, and the Perpetua 2012, a single estate Chardonnay.
‘This Royal Visit will be a defining moment in our history,’ said Mission Hill winery owner, Anthony von Mandl.
‘It will place the Okanagan Valley on the international map as a region producing exceptional quality wines that can stand alongside the best in the world.’
It is not the first time the royal couple have been to a winery on a state visit.
In 2014,they visited Amisfield Winery in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Mission Hill Winery
Mission Hill Winery won the first international trophy for a Canadian wine in the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards. That is equivalent to the platinum best in show award at DWWA 2016.
The Martin’s Lane Pinot Noir 2010, from Okanagan Valley, won the trophy for Pinot Noir under £15.
Last week, Mission Hill announced that it has appointed Ian Morden as its new managing director. Morden previously worked with New Zealand winery Cloudy Bay.
Canadian wines
Canada is traditionally most known for sweet Icewines, but dry wines are growing in popularity.
The country is producing high quality Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
After visiting British Columbia, Decanter consultant editor Steven Spurrier said, ‘I have seldom encountered such beautiful scenery and such passionate viticulturists and winemakers, while tasting wines of such encouraging quality.’
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