A glass of Adega set against its sloped estate vineyard.
In the sun-soaked southern reaches of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, where the vines bask under one of Canada’s warmest microclimates and the views stretch from sloping vineyards to shimmering Lake Osoyoos, Adega on 45th Estate Winery is undergoing an exciting transformation.
Rooted in a story that begins in 1966, when a Portuguese family purchased the land and planted orchards, Adega (Portuguese for “cellar”) has always been about connection to place. When the second generation turned the orchard into a vineyard in 2009, the original plan was to grow grapes for others. But as is often the case in wine, vision meets passion.
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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.
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Alison Moyes.
By our third visit with winemaker Alison Moyes of Solvero Wines, we already knew what we were walking into: an earnest conversation packed with thoughtful insights, layered with the kind of honesty that makes you lean in, and beautiful wines in the glass that over-deliver on every level.
Solvero may still be young in the BC wine scene, but their clarity of vision, precision in execution, and ability to adapt under pressure have quickly made them one of our absolute favourites in the region.
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Peter and Kajsa Henricsson.
Our first sip of Henricsson Chardonnay was a revelation. Wait—this is from BC? Rich yet lithe, with acidity and texture dancing in perfect harmony, it was a wine that stopped us mid-sentence. Moments later, their Pinot Noir poured into our glass and again: stunned silence, followed by disbelief. How had we never heard of these wines? How were more people not talking about them?
As we mapped out our next trip to the Okanagan, Peter and Kajsa Henricsson quickly rose to the top of our must-meet list. When we reached out, they replied almost apologetically: there was no formal tasting room, no scheduled hours. But if we were willing, we could share a bottle at the vineyard with them. It was, to us, the perfect invitation.
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In a valley known for its sweeping lake vistas, Red Barn winery offers a different kind of magic.
Jagged Rock.
Sitting in the shadow of Jagged Rock, a dramatic outcrop that shapes both the vineyard’s microclimate and its identity, Red Barn is a study in contrast: polished wines born of a rugged site, housed in a modernist space that still pays homage to its farming roots.
Red Barn might fly under the radar at first glance, but it’s readily redefining what small-batch winemaking in British Columbia can be.
With a tasting room designed by the iconic Tom Kundig and a fearless young winemaker at the helm, Red Barn offers one of the Okanagan’s most intimate and engaging wine experiences. One that begins in the vineyard and ends in your glass, just steps away.
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