The Mission Hill Family Estate is a place where time feels suspended, where the contrasts of the Okanagan Valley are distilled into an experience that is equal parts grandeur, serenity, and refined discovery.
Within this celebrated destination lies a space that defies the expectations of a traditional winery gift shop. Here, everything is curated with intention, elegance, and a deep respect for heritage. At the centre of this experience is David Amos, whose tenure at The Boutique has shaped it into one of the country’s most compelling destinations for oenophiles, design lovers, and collectors of luxury vintage.
David is more than the steward of this remarkable space. He is its quiet architect, its historian, and its compass. His career spans decades in the luxury goods, fashion, and wine and spirits sectors, yet at Mission Hill he has created something singular: an ever-changing expression of beauty and provenance that transforms retail into ritual.
A Vision Rooted in Timelessness
Mission Hill itself has always embraced the idea that everything old can become new again with the right vision. Proprietor Anthony von Mandl risked everything in 1981 when he purchased a near-bankrupt winery and saw, not what was there, but what could be. His audacious dream was simple in its poetry: an Okanagan defined not only by orchards, but by world-class vineyards, architectural mastery, and immersive experiences that would resonate far beyond the valley.
The estate’s monastic-inspired design, its iconic bell tower, the carved limestone archway, the underground barrel cellar with its striking oculus—each element speaks to the reverence for craftsmanship that defines Mission Hill. It is the same reverence that guides David’s curatorial hand.
The Boutique: A World Within a World
What could have been a traditional winery shop is, under David’s leadership, an enclave of discovery. Every shelf, every vignette, every meticulously placed object reflects the philosophy that beauty is not merely aesthetic, but narrative.
From rare library wines to exquisite culinary provisions, and from iconic coffee table books to hand-selected home goods, The Boutique offers pieces that feel as though they were chosen for the singular pleasure of the guest who discovers them.
The 2025 theme, The High Life – La Belle Vie, underscores this commitment. A celebration of luxury vintage travel and refined living, it features Executive Chef Patrick Gayler’s new line of provisions, Farmstead, and one of the country’s largest collections of vintage trunks from the world’s most storied maisons: Louis Vuitton, Goyard, Hermes, Bottega Veneta, Harrods, Cartier, Aux Etats-Unis, and more. Some pieces even carry celebrity provenance, adding a layer of mystique to their craftsmanship.
These trunks, with their weather-worn leather, brass detailing, and storied journeys, mirror the meticulous process of winemaking itself. Both are shaped by time, terroir, and human devotion. In David’s hands, these rare finds are more than objets d’art. They become portals to history.
A Curator’s Philosophy
In conversation, David reveals the guiding principles behind this ever-changing world. His words, offered with the candour of someone who sees beauty as a calling, illuminate the depth of his craft.
When asked how he sources the vintage luxury goods for The Boutique, David says “my approach to sourcing is driven by a commitment to finding what is most beautiful and unique. Looking for pieces that seamlessly complement our estate and wines. Carefully curating new and vintage goods from around the globe, I am constantly on the lookout for something that fits. Sourcing international allows me to bring in rare and exceptional pieces that enhance the Mission Hill experience, but on occasion I find remarkable items close to home. Ensuring that the Boutique always has world class items is our commitment, while complementing our founder’s vision for this iconic winery.”
“The Boutique is filled with extraordinary finds, each with its own unique story. Some pieces are so rare that selling them is bittersweet for me, knowing I probably will not find another like it. One standout is a Louis Vuitton Courier trunk from 1895 owned by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Gertrude was the granddaughter of the world’s richest man, founder of New York’s Whitney Museum and Great Aunt of TV’s Anderson Cooper. Believe it or not, this trunk started out in Vancouver in 1895 for Gertrude’s honeymoon voyage to Japan. If Trunks could talk! As a collector of art myself, I am drawn to items that carry history and meaning, this only enhances the Boutique’s ever-changing collection.”
A Living Story
David’s curation is not simply about retail. It is about honouring a lineage of artistry—of winemakers, of trunk-makers, of travellers who carved their journeys into leather and canvas. In that way, his work is an extension of Mission Hill’s founding vision: to elevate, to inspire, and to reimagine what is possible when heritage and innovation meet.
At The Boutique, the past is never static. It is alive, evolving, and ready to be rediscovered with every visit. Oh yes, do not forget to relax after your shopping with a craft cocktail!
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].
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