Featured Winemaker

Darryl Brooker

Darryl Brooker has over twenty years of winemaking experience; working at some the worlds finest wineries. Darryl is a graduate of Charles Sturt University in Australia (Bachelor of Applied Science - Wine Science) and also has a graduate diploma from Adelaide University in Wine Business. Prior to coming to British Columbia's Okanagan prior experience includes winemaking at Flat Rock Cellars in Ontario, Villa Maria Estate in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand and Mountadam Vineyards in Barossa Valley, Australia.  

Gordon Fitzpatrick, former owner CedarCreek Estate Winery in Kelowna brought Darryl to the Okanagan in 2010. Where he did nothing but produce award winning wines.

After Anthony von Mandl owner of Mission Hill Estate Winery purchased Cedar Creek he moved Darryl over. With the 2015 harvest, Darryl Brooker assumed the role of Chief Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate. Both Darryl Brooker and Proprietor, Anthony von Mandl share the same winemaking philosophy and commitment to excellence and continuous improvement that is key to success for the Okanagan to reach new levels of international acclaim.

In commenting on his appointment, Darryl Brooker stated: “It will be a privilege to make some of Canada’s most iconic wine brands found exclusively in the Mission Hill portfolio – wines that deliver exceptional quality in every vintage. The passion behind the Mission Hill brand and the unwavering commitment to help put the Okanagan Valley on the international wine map is something I am incredibly motivated by and excited to be a part of.”

He was  also responsible for designing the new Martin’s Lane Winery, now completing located near Cedar Creek. He made the 2014 vintage for Martin’s Lane, a winery specializing in Pinot Noir and Riesling.

Booker three-plus years as Mission Hill’s president but had been with the West Kelowna winery since 2015. Before that, he was the vice-president of winemaking and operations at Kelowna’s CedarCreek Estate Winery. He left in April 2021 to be becomes cannabis CEO with Flowr.

Note: John Simes continued to be a vital part of Mission Hill, Cider Creek,CheckMate Artisanal Winery and Martin’s Lane. and other wineries and vineyards owned by von Mandl Family. He retired from the wine industry in 2021.

 

Other featured pages:

~ Featured Winemakers
Featured Wine
Featured Winery
~ Women of Wine 
~ Robert's Selections

 



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