EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
Recent Searches
From Canada to the world: Anthony von Mandl’s enduring entrepreneurial legacy
Anthony von Mandl’s entrepreneurial story began with a simple but ambitious belief that British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley could produce wines of extraordinary quality that could stand alongside the best in the world.
He began his career as a wine importer in the 1970s, a time when the prevailing industry belief was that world-class wines and successful, globally scaled beverage brands had to come from somewhere else. Driven by a conviction that opportunity exists where others see limitations, Anthony set out to prove that products created in Canada could compete with the best in the world, forever changing the trajectory of the country’s wine and beverage sector.
In 1972, von Mandl founded The Mark Anthony Group of Companies and began transforming a small, privately held venture into one of the world’s most influential beverage companies. His founding belief was clear: have a dream, believe in it and never compromise your integrity to achieve it.
Driven by his unwavering commitment to his dream, von Mandl helped build the Okanagan Valley into a world-class wine region with a portfolio of globally recognized vineyards and architecturally stunning estate wineries, demonstrating that a young wine region could handcraft wines of exceptional quality that could take their place alongside the world’s best.
Since no one believed in his dream or was prepared to invest, his only option was to completely self-finance his dream by creating entirely new beverage categories and “new to the world” brands that have made a major impact on the global drinks industry. His breakthrough White Claw Hard Seltzer is the most successful new beverage launched in the US since Prohibition. White Claw joins Mike’s Hard Lemonade and a diverse portfolio of beverage brands rooted in innovation, speed to market and the global scaling of consumer brands.
Von Mandl’s journey is defined by his willingness to challenge conventional thinking and a remarkable ability to see possibilities where others saw limits. Over more than five decades, he has built enduring, category-defining brands that demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial vision, resilience and longevity.
Guided by the principles of a family-owned business, he has consistently balanced long-term stewardship with relentless innovation and investment in quality, teams, operations and brand-building over short-term gains. That focus has helped the organization successfully navigate economic downturns, competitive disruption and the global pandemic while continuing to strengthen its products and people.
For von Mandl, success is ultimately measured by people. “Whenever I’m asked what about my business I’m most proud of, I say wholeheartedly it’s the people we bring together who enable us to create our world-class brands and introduce them to the world.”
Today, his impact reaches far beyond business performance. By repeatedly turning overlooked opportunities into globally recognized businesses, he has created thousands of jobs, built internationally recognized brands and showcased Canadian entrepreneurship on the global stage. His enterprises have contributed meaningfully to Canada’s economy, expanding agri-food exports, elevating Canada’s wine industry and helping establish British Columbia as a source of innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.
Among the many awards he’s received for his achievements, von Mandl has received the Order of British Columbia, the Order of Canada and six honorary doctorates, and was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and the US Marketing Hall of Fame.
In addition to being awarded the first perfect 100-point wines in Canada, his family’s Mission Hill Family Estate winery has been honoured as a six-time winner of the prestigious Canadian Winery of the Year Award. Today, The Mark Anthony Group of Companies remains a private business without debt or outside shareholders.
This year he receives EY’s Lifetime Achievement award of Excellence in recognition of his vision, courage, sustained value creation and enduring influence. Anthony von Mandl has built more than a successful organization: he has built belief in Canadian products, talent and entrepreneurship.