Wow! What an unforgettable experience! From the moment we arrived, everything was exceptional: food, wine, service, and ambiance. Mission Hill Winery exceeded all expectations and delivered a dining experience that was not only the best we've had in Canada, but truly one of the finest we've had anywhere in the world. We wholeheartedly recommend it for any occasion. Whether you're celebrating something special, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary.
Summary: Fantastic food. Phenomenal wine. Spectacular views. But what truly brought Mission Hill to life was the service. From the warm welcome at the gate to the attentive table service and a one-of-a-kind cellar experience, every moment was thoughtfully curated and genuinely memorable.
Details: My (new!) fiancé and I are visiting Canada from Australia, and on the strong recommendation of friends and fellow travellers , we made a point to visit the renowned Mission Hill Winery. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this would be a special experience. As we passed through the winery gates, we were immediately struck by the elegant architecture and meticulously maintained gardens. Friendly, impeccably presented staff welcomed us and guided us to parking. After a short stroll across the manicured entry lawn, we were greeted again - this time by a young host who led us to our table with a view that deserves a paragraph of its own… Set beneath a graceful stone arch, our table looked out over a sun-kissed vineyard gently sloping toward the shimmering lake. A doe and her fawn grazed peacefully just beyond the first row of vines, adding a storybook charm to an already stunning setting. The surrounding hills evoked memories of a Swiss summer or perhaps a New Zealand spring. Utterly breathtaking. Our server, Matika (more on her in a moment), welcomed us warmly and offered a complimentary glass of sparkling rosé. As self-proclaimed non-rosé drinkers, we were genuinely impressed—so much so that we ordered a second glass. It was the first of many surprises. The menu was beautifully curated, though we honestly wished there were more courses to try. Between us, we enjoyed the goat cheese salad, Wagyu carpaccio, catch of the day (scallops), and the duck—all accompanied by wine pairings. The staff graciously accommodated a few personal preferences with ease. Matika walked us through each dish and wine pairing with knowledgeable and mouthwatering descriptions. Remarkably, every single dish and wine was outstanding - something we've rarely experienced before. Normally, there’s at least one miss, but at Mission Hill, everything was a hit. We especially recommend the Chardonnay and Merlot. As we dined, we found ourselves repeatedly marveling at the view, the food, and the overall sense of tranquility. The conversation flowed as effortlessly as the wine. Though we were thoroughly satisfied, we couldn’t resist staying a little longer. We ordered the chocolate dessert along with a glass from their Legacy Collection—an excellent pairing suggested by Matika. Once again, perfection. Mission Hill isn’t just a winery or a fine dining venue—it’s a complete sensory experience, effortlessly blending landscape, cuisine, and hospitality into something truly unforgettable. We left full, happy, and already dreaming of a return visit.
Special Thanks: A massive shoutout to our incredible host, Matika, who truly brought the entire experience to life. Her warm, engaging presence and exceptional service went above and beyond. Matika was, without a doubt, the star of the show. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Roxy, who guided us on a truly unforgettable cellar tour. Exploring the mystical vaults beneath the winery, where the aging barrels rest, felt absolutely magical. Roxy’s deep knowledge and genuine passion for winemaking were both inspiring and...
Read moreWe came in as a group of seven for dinner expecting a pleasant evening. Unfortunately, what we received was a deeply disappointing experience marked by poor service that felt not only unprofessional but also potentially discriminatory.
From the moment we arrived, the staff seemed uninterested in helping us. Despite having a reservation for seven, we were kept waiting for an unreasonably long time while other smaller groups who arrived after us were seated and served promptly. We were not given any explanation or apology.
Once seated, it took over 25 minutes before anyone came to take our drink orders, and even longer for the food order. Throughout the meal, we had to repeatedly flag down staff just to get basic service like water refills or utensils. It felt like we were being deliberately ignored.
What stood out even more was the stark contrast in how other tables (largely non-Asian) were being treated smiles, attentive service, check-ins, and polite interaction. Meanwhile, our group, consisting entirely of Asian diners, received minimal attention and visibly colder treatment.
It’s hard not to wonder whether our ethnicity played a role in how we were treated. Regardless of intent, the experience left us feeling unwelcome and disrespected.
As paying customers, and as a group that came in for a nice dinner not to be treated as an afterthought this level of service is unacceptable. I hope management reflects seriously on this feedback, retrains the staff, and works toward creating an environment where all customers are treated with basic respect and fairness.
We will not be returning, and I would advise others especially larger groups or minorities to be cautious before dining here.
TERRIBLE...
Read moreMission Hill is weird now. My sister and I dine at The Terrace every year. When we arrived to the property this year we had to go through 3 checkpoints to be allowed in. It’s all roped off. When we were finally allowed into the “yard”, it was dead and super quiet. It felt like a monastery.
The staff were like drones. Such a weird vibe in there. Needless to say we won’t be going back.
Imagine wanting to go for a nice lunch on a sunny day, get a little wine buzz, be around people and good vibes and then walking into a dead silent vineyard. Even the other guests were subdued. No laughing or smiling. Everyone was talking really low, whispering. Even the restaurant was super quiet.
The food and view are amazing. The service was lacking compared to previous years. Our servers knowledge of the food wasn’t great. I asked what kind of tuna the tuna dish was and he didn’t know etc. The people who checked us in at all the check points didn’t seem happy to see us. We didn’t get a glass of welcome wine at the entrance like we have every other year we have had lunch there - even though there was a guy standing in the usual spot with wine glasses. But it seemed more like a security checkpoint as he was standing next to a security guard.
I heard that they closed the property to walk in patrons, but man, I was not expecting it to be empty like that. It was like a funeral. It was laughable. It’s so exclusive now that there is nobody there LOL. Anyway, we wrapped up our lunch ASAP. It was lame.
Mission Hill needs to get over itself. 😂
If you are looking for a nice time where the vibe matches the sunny day - skip this one. If you hate people and don’t want to hear any sounds or hate smiling - Mission...
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