Some stories feel like they were meant to unfold a certain way.

Manpreet Dhaliwal.

At Kismet Estate Winery, the idea of destiny isn’t just in the name, it’s in the soil, the vines, and the family who built it. Brothers Sukhi and Balwinder Dhaliwal didn’t just plant grapes, they helped shape the future of BC wine, growing fruit for some of the Okanagan’s most respected wineries before launching their own label.

Now, a new chapter begins. Manpreet Dhaliwal, Sukhi’s daughter and Balwinder’s niece, stepped into the role of head winemaker in fall 2023. She’s believed to be the first South Asian female winemaker in Canada, and while that might sound like a lot of pressure, she’s taken it all in stride with plenty of hard work, a strong sense of curiosity, and a willingness to learn by doing.

Manpreet didn’t set out to become a winemaker.

The beautiful estate at Kismet.

She studied nursing and was working toward a healthcare career, but like many in family businesses, she found herself pitching in wherever she was needed. That included summers in the tasting room, where she got to know Kismet’s wines and its customers up close.

But it was the 2022 harvest that changed everything. Faced with an unusually large “bumper” crop and not enough hands, the family asked Manpreet to help but this time she wanted to be in the cellar instead of the tasting room, “I said ‘put me where the science is’ as that’s what appealed to me most, and I dove in.”

Balwinder and Sukhi Dhaliwal.

She shadowed her uncle Dapinder, who was winemaker at the time, and found herself drawn to the energy and focus of harvest. It was a chance to connect the dots between what grew in the vineyard and what ended up in the glass.

“Although 2022 was a really challenging harvest, it was perfect for me as I had the chance to really learn everything from the ground up…I just fell in love with all of it.”

And by the following year, she was taking the lead.

Manpreet’s first wines turned heads immediately upon release.

2024 Kismet Phulkari Rosé.

Three of her first 4 wines received awards including her 2023 Pinot Grigio, which picked up a double gold at the All Canadian Wine Championships.

She’s also introduced a new rosé called Phulkari, a name inspired by a traditional Punjabi embroidery style. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, it’s a nod to the women in her family who’ve helped shape Kismet behind the scenes; in particular her mother and her aunt. The label design draws directly from a phulkari shawl gifted to her by her grandmother.

There’s thoughtfulness in everything she does, but it’s not about chasing trends or putting on a show.

Balancing tradition with innovation.

It’s more intuitive than that, it’s a mix of science, style, and storytelling.

With just two harvests under her belt as winemaker, Manpreet isn’t pretending to have all the answers. She’s still learning, still asking questions, still figuring out how to balance tradition with new ideas. But she’s not doing it alone. She’s being mentored by veteran winemaker Bertus Albertyn, founder of Maverick Estate Winery.

What’s clear is that she’s a fast study. And she’s not afraid to take creative risks, as long as the wines stay honest and true to the fruit.

Manzil Restaurant.

Kismet has always been more than just a place to sip wine.

The family previously ran Masala Bistro, a beloved onsite restaurant that closed during the pandemic and wasn’t originally slated to reopen. But demand was too strong to ignore, and in 2024, they opened Manzil, a fresh new take on Indian cuisine in the heart of wine country.

The menu leans into bold, vibrant flavors, with each dish thoughtfully matched to Kismet’s wines. It’s an experience that brings both sides of the Dhaliwals’ heritage, agriculture and hospitality, together in one place. (We’ll be sharing more about our visit to Manzil in a separate feature soon).

A promising start to the 2025 harvest.

Looking ahead, Manpreet is energized by what’s possible.

She’s particularly drawn to varieties like Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, which thrive in the Okanagan climate. But she’s not in a rush to reinvent everything. For now, it’s about making the best wine she can with the fruit they grow and letting Kismet evolve naturally, just like it always has.

This new chapter feels like a continuation of the original vision, only with a new voice, and a slightly different lens. Call it good timing. Or maybe just call it destiny.

Tasting Notes

2021 Kismet Viognier Roussanne

2021 Kismet Viognier Roussanne.

These two grapes of the Rhône Valley have found a good home in the South Okanagan. The Okanagan is orchard country and this wine is full of orchard fruit notes. It has a medium to full body and just the right amount of acidity to frame the fruit. It’s actually quite viscous and leaves notable tears running down the side of the glass. The nose is quite floral with undertones of apricot. Very Good+ ($26)

2023 Kismet Pinot Grigio

This Canadian Wine Award winner is a super juicy and refreshing drink that showcases the variety’s fruit driven character which is backed up with lots of acidity. What really separates this wine apart from just another Pinot Grigio is the amount of texture. There is some really nice body here and that seems to carry the grapefruit and lemon zest flavours further across the palate. This has great balance with the acidity providing backbone while the body creates depth. Delicious! Excellent ($26)

2024 Kismet Phulkari Rosé

2024 Kismet Phulkari Rosé.

A gold medalist at this year’s All Canadian Wine Championship, this is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon with equal amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Franc. The charm of this wine is quite something. While charry and watermelon notes dominate, it’s the supporting notes of wet stones and other mineral notes that really take this wine to another level. This is a rosé to be taken seriously, no simple porch pounder here. It would match so well with any shellfish dish or simple appetizers. Complex, and great balance, this is a very memorable rose. Excellent ($26)

2021 Kismet Family Select Syrah

2021 Kismet Family Select Syrah.

Medium to dark red in the glass. This is a Northern Rhône take on Syrah. It showcases dark red fruits and gains lots of complexity from the numerous spice notes that underpin the fruit. The classic black pepper notes that so often are found in Syrah make themselves a tasty feature. Other dried herbs round out the spicy aspect. Black cherry, raspberry and a hint of plum dominate the flavour profile. With a bit of swirling, earthy notes join the rest of the flavours. Ready now but likely to improve with some time in the cellar. Very Good+ ($31)

2019 Kismet Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

This was a treat from their library and is a finessed and elegant take on Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherry and currant flavours are delivered on a medium body joined by notes of cedar and earth. At a beautiful stage right now, the tannins are soft and round, but this is likely to improve even more over the next 5+ years. Perfect accompaniment to a grilled steak. Excellent (Wine Club Members only)

2021 Kismet Cabernet Franc Reserve

2021 Kismet Cabernet Franc Reserve.

Medium dark red in colour. This wine shows the dark side of Cabernet Franc with its flavours of raspberry and blackberry. These primary flavours are backed up with some lovely savoury notes that evoke exotic spices and dried herbs. There’s plenty of complexity to this wine. Cabernet Franc needs a steady hand in both the vineyard and in the cellar to avoid taking on the green “stemmy” notes. The Kismet team shows a deft hand as none are present here. Just a delicious combination of red and black fruits supported by all sorts of spice notes that change and shift as the wine evolves. Excellent ($60)

2021 Kismet Moksha

2021 Kismet Moksha.

Moksha has been a favourite of ours sine we were first introduced to the winery almost a decade ago. Always a blend, the percentages change from year to year. The 2021 vintage is 36% Malbec, 24% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, 9% Grenache and 7% Viognier. We get blackberries, blueberries and lots of secondary notes of dried herbs and baking spices. This year’s Moksha has plenty of body and a good tannin structure that will allow even greater complexity to develop over the coming years. Excellent ($37)

Kismet Winery.

Kismet Estate Winery

316 Road 20, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

1-250-495-4462

Tasting Room: Open Daily 11am-6pm