Von Mandl was born in Vancouver, Canada, but spent his childhood in Europe.

Von Mandl's parents were European immigrants, according to a biography on the website for one of his wineries, Mission Hill.

The family moved back to Europe when von Mandl was 9 years old, according to the biography. He later returned to Canada to attend the University of British Columbia, where he studied economics.

The winery's site does not specify which European country von Mandl's family is originally from or where in Europe he spent his adolescence.