The winery is situated atop Mission Hill overlooking a 145 kilometre lake, mountains and vineyards.

[1] von Mandl was a wine seller in Vancouver during the 1970s and assisted in preparing a feasibility study regarding growing grapes in the area for Josef Milz, a Mosel based winery.

[2][3] von Mandl is also the founder of Mike's Hard Lemonade Co.[4][5] The first Chardonnay made by John Simes, who had just joined the winery, in the 1992 vintage won the trophy for "Best Chardonnay" at the 1994 International Wine and Spirit Competition, becoming the first Okanagan winery to receive overseas recognition.

Most of the vineyards are planted on benches above the valley floor; on varying degrees of slope that assist with air drainage, improve frost protection and increase the amount of sun the vines receive.

Michel Rolland, a prominent French oenologist, was a consultant at the estate for some vintages.