Canada’s first and only South Asian female head winemaker is gaining international attention while creating space for a new generation in Canadian wine.
Only three years after becoming Head Winemaker at Kismet Estate Winery, Manpreet Dhaliwal is building an impressive list of achievements. Wines from the Oliver, B.C. winery received medals at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, WineAlign National Awards of Canada and All Canadian Wine Championships. Her work has also earned strong scores from international wine critic James Suckling.
The recognition is significant for Dhaliwal, but it also tells a larger story about family, representation and the changing face of British Columbia wine.
International Recognition for Kismet Wines
Kismet’s latest honours came from the Decanter World Wine Awards, one of the world’s largest and most respected international wine competitions.
The winery received Silver medals and 90-point scores for two wines:
2021 Moksha
2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve
The Cabernet Franc Reserve also received 93 points from James Suckling, who described it as “potent, dark and full-bodied.”
Kismet’s 2022 Mantra earned another 93-point score, while the 2021 Moksha received 92 points. The winery’s 2025 Pinot Grigio was awarded 90 points.
The reviews show Dhaliwal’s range as a winemaker, from nuanced white wines to structured reds and Rhône-inspired blends.
Strong Results at Canadian Wine Competitions
Kismet also had a successful year at the WineAlign National Awards of Canada.
The 2021 Moksha and 2020 Virsa each received Gold medals. Bronze medals were awarded to the 2025 Saféd, 2025 Phulkari Rosé, 2022 Karma and 2025 Infinity Rosé.
At the All Canadian Wine Championships, the 2025 Pinot Grigio earned Double Gold. It is the second Double Gold for Kismet’s Pinot Grigio under Dhaliwal’s leadership, following the same honour for the 2023 vintage.
The 2025 Infinity Rosé received Gold, while the 2025 Karma and 2020 Virsa each earned Silver.
“These awards mean a great deal because they come from different judges, competitions and perspectives, both here in Canada and internationally,” Dhaliwal said. “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.”
From the Vineyard to the Cellar
Dhaliwal became Kismet’s Head Winemaker in 2023 at the age of 26. Since then, she has earned 26 national and international wine awards, including 14 medals from her first complete vintage.
Her approach begins in the vineyard, supported by her family’s more than three decades of farming experience in the South Okanagan.
The Dhaliwal family farms more than 600 acres throughout the region. Kismet wines are produced using estate-grown fruit selected from the top 10 percent of the family’s vineyard portfolio.
That connection between the vineyard and cellar gives Dhaliwal access to years of family knowledge while allowing her to develop her own winemaking style.
“Watching Manpreet grow into this role has been one of the proudest moments for our family,” said Balwinder Dhaliwal, Co-Founder of Kismet Estate Winery. “She brings curiosity, discipline and a real respect for the vineyard into every decision she makes. These awards are recognition of her talent, but they’re also proof of what’s possible when decades of farming experience meet a new generation of winemaking.”
Recognition Beyond the Wine Industry
Dhaliwal’s wines are not the only part of her work attracting attention.
Earlier in 2026, she was named to the BCBusiness 30 Under 30 Class of 2026. She was also selected as one of Drishti Magazine’s Influential Women of the Year, an annual recognition honouring 10 women whose work challenges convention, supports gender equality and creates opportunities for others.
As Canada’s first and only South Asian female head winemaker, Dhaliwal understands that her visibility carries meaning beyond the tasting room.
“To have my work recognized alongside women who are making an impact across so many different industries is incredibly special,” she said. “Representation matters to me, but so does being able to back that representation up through the work.”
She hopes her career will encourage young women who may not see themselves represented in wine, agriculture or leadership.
“I hope young women who may not see themselves reflected in wine, agriculture or leadership can see that there is room for them to build a path of their own.”
Kismet’s 2026 Wine Awards
Decanter World Wine Awards
Silver and 90 points: 2021 Moksha
Silver and 90 points: 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve
WineAlign National Awards of Canada
Gold: 2021 Moksha
Gold: 2020 Virsa
Bronze: 2025 Saféd
Bronze: 2025 Phulkari Rosé
Bronze: 2022 Karma
Bronze: 2025 Infinity Rosé
All Canadian Wine Championships
Double Gold: 2025 Pinot Grigio
Gold: 2025 Infinity Rosé
Silver: 2025 Karma
Silver: 2020 Virsa
James Suckling Reviews
93 points: 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve
93 points: 2022 Mantra
92 points: 2021 Moksha
90 points: 2025 Pinot Grigio
The award-winning wines are available through the Kismet Estate Winery tasting room and online at kismetestatewinery.com, while quantities last.
Holi Festival of Colour Comes to Kismet
The winery’s connection to Indian culture will also be celebrated during Kismet’s Holi Festival of Colour on July 25, 2026.
Held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the winery’s lake venue, the event will bring colour, music and dancing into the vineyard.
Holi is one of the most joyful celebrations in Indian culture. It represents renewal, connection and the arrival of a brighter season. During the celebration, colour helps soften the boundaries between friends, families, neighbours and strangers.
Kismet’s celebration will include cocktails, estate wine and Indian street food available for purchase. The menu will feature pakora, samosas, papadum, dal and rice bowls, and butter chicken rice bowls.
Each guest will receive a Kismet stemless plastic glass and a pichkari, the traditional water gun used during Holi celebrations. Guests are encouraged to wear white and choose clothing they do not mind staining.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the Kismet Estate Winery events page.
Experience Kismet Estate Winery
Kismet Estate Winery is a family-owned winery in Oliver, located in the heart of the South Okanagan. Along with its tasting room and wine clubs, visitors can experience the winery through Manzil Restaurant, its on-site culinary destination.
Led by a South Asian female-driven team, including General Manager Neelam Dhaliwal and Head Winemaker Manpreet Dhaliwal, Manzil serves regional Indian dishes made with local ingredients and layered flavours. Shared plates, wine pairings and craft cocktails connect the restaurant experience to the wines and the family behind them.
For more information, visit kismetestatewinery.com or follow @kismetwines on social media.
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