The beginning of every award-winning wine is the grape itself.
The family behind Kismet Estate Winery has been growing wine grapes in the Okanagan Valley for more than two decades, and they’ve earned a reputation for producing some of the best in the valley.
Award-Winning Wines
This summer, the quality of Kismet’s wines was recognized at the 2021 All Canadian Wine Championships with a number of medals, including:
• Double Gold – 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Gold – 2018 Viognier Roussanne
• Gold – 2020 Infinity Rosé
Splash of Indian Culture
Kismet is named for a Punjabi word meaning “destiny.” Keeping with the theme, all of Kismet’s wines have Indian names that resonate with the characteristics of the wine, such as Karma, Mantra and Moksha.
“We wanted to infuse our culture into everything we do at Kismet,” said operations manager Neelam Dhaliwal. “Telling our story by including our culture feels like the best way to really create our identity.”
Kismet also incorporates Indian cuisine at its winery through mouth-watering dishes served at the Masala Bistro. The bistro’s patio is located beside the vineyard and offers a beautiful view of the Black Sage Bench.
Located off Highway 97 in Oliver, it’s easy to stop in at Kismet for a $1 tasting—fees are waived with the purchase of a bottle. All proceeds from tasting fees are donated to the BC Children’s Hospital.
How Kismet Came to Be
In the 1990s, one of two founding brothers, Sukhwinder Dhaliwal, immigrated to Canada with only $5 in his pocket. He settled in the Okanagan Valley and made his living in agriculture, eventually managing vineyards. He convinced his brother Balwinder to join him, and together the brothers learned to turn grapes into gold-medal-winning wines for numerous well-known Okanagan wineries.
The Dhaliwals invested in property together, then struck out on their own to found Kismet. They grow many varieties on more than 400 acres, including rare grapes like Grenache and Mourvèdre.
An outdoor wedding venue has been added to the property and is a hidden gem in the region. Newlyweds-to-be can find more information on the Kismet website or through the several wedding planners that have partnered with the winery.
Join the Club
The Kismet wine club is a great way to explore. Two options are available: the Connection Club offers one customizable case per year at 10 per cent off with free shipping, while the Devotion Club offers two cases per year in May and October at a 15 per cent discount. Returning clients often choose the “surprise you” option, where Kismet will select bottles based on past purchases and bottles they think the customer will enjoy exploring.
It’s a fun way to expand on your experience.
Visit kismetestatewinery.com to join the wine club, book a virtual tasting or reserve a table in the Masala Bistro. The tasting room is walk-in only, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.