There’s another reason to plan a summer escape to the South Okanagan. Kismet Estate Winery is celebrating a remarkable season of accolades under Head Winemaker Manpreet Dhaliwal, Canada’s first and only South Asian female head winemaker.
Just three years after stepping into the role at just 26 years old, Dhaliwal has amassed 26 national and international wine awards, with Kismet earning top honours at the Decanter World Wine Awards, WineAlign National Awards of Canada and the All Canadian Wine Championships, along with multiple 90+ point scores from acclaimed wine critic James Suckling.
“Every harvest teaches you something, every vintage challenges you differently, and that is what keeps me excited to come back into the cellar every day,” says Dhaliwal. “These awards mean a great deal because they come from different judges, competitions and perspectives, both here in Canada and internationally.”
The recognition follows a milestone year for the rising winemaker, who was also named to BCBusiness’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 and honoured as one of Drishti Magazine’s Influential Women of the Year.
Visiting this summer? Don’t miss Kismet’s vibrant Holi Festival of Colour on July 25, featuring estate wines, Indian street food, music and dancing in the heart of the vineyard, or stop by the tasting room to discover the award-winning wines that are helping put Oliver—and Canadian wine—firmly on the global map. —Noa Nichol
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