Following a wine holiday tour to the Okanagan in 2005, Judy Kingston found her own piece of paradise and moved from Ontario to British Columbia to pursue her dreams. She converted a 12-acre orchard in Naramata into a flourishing vineyard and winery, fittingly named, Serendipity. The winery’s success has been a family affair with the help of her two children. Judy’s daughter Katie serves as the winery’s official ‘Second in Command’ working as the marketing director, Judy’s assistant and proud mama of the winery’s resident husky dog, Toby. Katie does all of this while finding the time to take a winemaking program online via UC Davis California. The mother and daughter duo have been busy building a fantastic team at Serendipity for the 2013 season. The team includes vineyard manager Craig McKenzie, June Stewart in the wine shop, winemaker Jason Parkes and proprietor Judy at the helm as ‘Jill-Of-All-Trades’.
Recently at the 2013 Spring Wine Festival, Serendipity’s Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc were both awarded ‘Best Varietal’. This April at the Naramata Bench Spring Wine Release in Vancouver, noted wine writer John Schreiner hand picked Serendipity’s Devil’s Advocate as his top choice for red wine, which was an honour as many wineries were in attendance.
On August 3rd, Serendipity will be hosting the 2nd Annual Naughty or Nice Party. Guests are invited to wear their best ‘naughty or nice’ attire to this free event which includes food and wine pairings from 12-4pm.
On August 17th Serendipity is planning a romantic movie night under the stars. Attendees are invited to bring their own blanket and lay between the vineyard rows while enjoying an outdoor movie. The screening is free to attend with the purchase of a bottle of wine, or $5 per person. There will be glasses of wine and snacks available for purchase.
(shown in photo: Judy Kingston, right, with daughter Katie, left)
~ Natasha Chudyk