One of the biggest names in the Canadian wine business has been named the Gustavson School of Business’s Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year.
Anthony von Mandl founded the Mark Anthony Group of Companies in 1972 and is considered an innovator in the industry. The Mark Anthony Group is made up of wineries around the world, including Mission Hill, Penfolds, Stags’ Leap, Wolf Blass and Liberty School as well as distilleries such as Dalmore, Glayva and Stolichnaya, and breweries Steinlager and Dirt Road Touring.
“Anthony is an entrepreneur of rare vision, dedication and energy,” said Peter Gustavson, chair of the award committee. “He has created an incredibly successful family-owned business and, in so doing, put one of B.C.’s most popular tourism destinations — the Okanagan Valley — on the international wine map.”
Von Mandl pioneered high-end winemaking in the Okanagan, where his collection of family-owned wineries, including Mission Hill Family Estate, practises organic farming methods.
“Innovation is a trait that is fundamental to success as an entrepreneur,” said Saul Klein, dean of the Gustavson School of Business. “In Anthony’s career, we see this trait in abundance. His creativity and dedication in pursuing his entrepreneurial goals are unmatched.”
Von Mandl is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia for his work enhancing Canada’s international reputation in the wine industry. He has been inducted into both the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and American Marketing Hall of Fame. He holds five honorary doctorate degrees and is chair of The von Mandl Family Foundation that supports the arts, health initiatives, environmental conservation and vulnerable communities in Canada and the U.S.
The Distinguished Entrepreneur Award will be presented on Nov. 18.
