Azhadi Vineyards

The Vibe

There is no other winery in the Okanagan — or perhaps Canada — quite like Azhadi Vineyards. Founded by Mike and Janet Azhadi, who first discovered the granite knoll above McKinley Beach in 2018 and spent the next eight years building their vision into reality, Azhadi is a cultural landmark as much as it is a winery. The four-storey structure rises above the hillside inspired by Tehran's iconic Freedom Tower, crowned by a 19.5-metre observation tower and a traditional Persian wind catcher that pays tribute to 2,500 years of Persian wine heritage — one of the world's oldest and most sophisticated wine cultures. Inside, vintage Persian rugs dating up to a century old hang alongside original Canadian artwork, creating an atmosphere that feels simultaneously contemplative and celebratory. When you step onto the panoramic terrace and look out over Okanagan Lake from the observation tower, it is — as winemaker Jim Faulkner says — simply impossible to have a bad day.

The Experience

Azhadi offers two distinct tasting experiences, both seated, both guided, and both designed to slow the pace and deepen the connection between guest and wine. The Reflection Tasting pairs each wine with seasonal Canadian bites in a thoughtful, unhurried format — an invitation to pause and discover wine in a way that feels genuinely different from any other tasting on the trail. The Dessert Pairing Tasting elevates the experience further, with each wine paired with a composed dessert crafted in-house by Azhadi's pastry chef — a collaboration between the winery and the kitchen that results in one of the most distinctive wine pairing experiences in the entire Okanagan. Journey Restaurant is a destination in its own right — Executive Chef Alain Léger brings over 30 years of luxury hospitality experience to a menu of Persian-Canadian cuisine cooked over a Josper charcoal oven, delivering intense flavour and authentic smokiness that pairs extraordinarily well with Faulkner's structured reds and vibrant sparkling wines. The underground barrel cave and art gallery add further cultural and sensory dimensions to what is, in every sense, a complete experience.

The Wine

Senior Winemaker Jim Faulkner brings a remarkable pedigree to Azhadi's cellar — having shaped the portfolios of Mt. Boucherie, CedarCreek, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Church & State, and Ex Nihilo over a distinguished career before taking the lead role at Azhadi in 2020. His philosophy is precise and deliberate — gravity-flow production to preserve delicate aromatics and texture, French, American, and Hungarian oak used not for flavour dominance but for depth and textural complexity, and a winemaking approach he describes as blending with intention and a touch of rebellion. The flagship Griffin — a bold red blend named for the mythological protector of both land and sky — immediately established itself as one of the most talked-about debut wines in recent BC wine history. The Pardis and GSM blends, Amoris sparkling rosé, and estate-grown Chardonnay, Riesling, and Viognier complete a portfolio shaped by vineyards on the McKinley estate as well as in Okanagan Falls and Oliver — drawing on the full range of BC's remarkable terroir diversity in every bottle.

Good to Know

• Best for: Wine enthusiasts, art and architecture lovers, special occasions, couples, food lovers, visitors seeking the most extraordinary and distinctive winery experience in the Okanagan

• Don't miss: The observation tower views, the Reflection Tasting, and a table at Journey Restaurant — all three together make for one of the finest winery afternoons in BC

• Signature wines: Griffin Red Blend, Pardis Blend, Amoris Sparkling Rosé, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier

• Tasting fee: Reservations required via Tock — confirm current pricing on the Azhadi website as this is a newly opened estate

• Hours: Open year-round — 15 minutes from Kelowna Airport — confirm current hours via Tock before visiting

• Heads up: Azhadi opened in February 2026 and is still in its earliest chapter — experiences and menus may evolve quickly. Always check the website for the most current information before your visit