John Simes' vision is clear: the best wine, and a commitment to protect and nurture the land.
Born and raised in New Zealand, his love affair with the wine business began during a three-year journey that took him around the world as he sought to discover all there is to know about making wine.
He returned home in 1978 and became the newest member of Montana Wines, New Zealand's best known winery. In 1990, as the winemaker responsible for Montana's benchmark Sauvignon Blanc, John received his first trophy from London's influential International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).
By 1991, he was promoted to Chief Winemaker of Montana's four wineries, but he was getting restless and began searching for a new challenge. He met Anthony von Mandl during a visit to British Columbia and it was soon apparent that both men shared a philosophy based on quality. During that trip, he walked the vineyards and tasted the fruit and immediately understood the region's potential. He joined Mission Hill in 1992 partway through harvest and went to work on the Grand Reserve Barrel Select Chardonnay.
In 1994, that wine took home the IWSC trophy for Best Chardonnay, giving John his second win in five years, making him the only winemaker to win for two different varietals, produced half a world apart.
When the judges found out the origin of the wine, they were stunned and insisted on re-tasting. Mission Hill still won.
As the leader of Mission Hill's grape growing and winemaking team, John's obsession with quality is responsible for a host of significant accomplishments including the IWSC trophy, bringing home North America's only gold medal from the 2001 Chardonnay du Monde Competition, in France and being named Winery of the Year at the first ever Canadian Wine Awards.
He's a pioneer ideally suited to the emerging Canadian industry.
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