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Ex Nihilo Vineyards

An art-inspired estate winery on the Scenic Sip trail in Lake Country — named from a Frederick Hart sculpture meaning "Out of Nothing," Ex Nihilo produces exceptional small-lot wines from 20 southwest-facing acres overlooking Okanagan Lake, with rotating art exhibitions, CHAOS Bistro small plates, and immersive multi-course Dinner Series events.

Ex Nihilo Vineyards CHAOS Bistro small plates and seated wine tasting experience on the Scenic Sip Wine Trail Lake Country BC

Highlights:

  • Named after Frederick Hart's sculpture Ex Nihilo — Latin for "Out of Nothing" — the same artist behind the Washington National Cathedral facade

  • 20 southwest-facing acres overlooking Okanagan Lake — producing intensely flavoured cool-climate wines shaped by lakeside sun and breezes

  • Signature Tasting Experience — four guided pours in seated indoor or outdoor settings, $16 per person, 20–30 minutes

  • Memor Vivo Reserve Tasting — six pours in varietal-specific stemware including exclusive Reserve Series wines, $30 per person, 45 minutes

  • Mysterium Blind Tasting Flights — a new palate-testing experience for adventurous wine lovers

  • CHAOS Bistro small plates — artisanal charcuterie, local cheese boards, and seasonal small bites available daily 11am–4pm

  • Dinner Series — intimate long-table multi-course dinners themed around world cuisines (Mediterranean, Italian) paired with estate wines, $100 per person

  • Fireside Experience — private firepit food and wine menu for groups, bookable through Tock

  • Rotating contemporary art exhibitions throughout the tasting room and estate

  • Wine club with Silver and Gold tiers — exclusive Reserve Series access and annual complimentary Memor Vivo tasting

  • Owned and operated by the Azhadi family since 2018 — also the visionaries behind the new Azhadi Vineyards estate

Ex Nihilo Vineyards CHAOS Bistro small plates and seated wine tasting experience on the Scenic Sip Wine Trail Lake Country BC

The Vibe

Ex Nihilo is one of those wineries where the name tells you everything you need to know — and then the experience exceeds it. Inspired by Frederick Hart's stunning sculpture of human figures emerging from stone, the winery was founded on the belief that extraordinary wine can be created from nothing but passion, patience, and a remarkable piece of land. Twenty southwest-facing acres on the slopes above Okanagan Lake, shaped by intense summer sun and cooling lakeside breezes, produce grapes of remarkable intensity and focus — and the wines they become reflect every nuance of that terroir. Since Mike and Janet Azhadi became sole proprietors in 2023, the estate has entered an exciting new chapter, with a deepening commitment to culinary excellence, artistic programming, and community connection that makes every visit feel like a genuine celebration of the good life.


The Experience

Ex Nihilo offers one of the most thoughtfully layered tasting programs on the Scenic Sip trail — from the accessible and beautifully guided Signature Tasting to the elevated Memor Vivo Reserve experience poured in varietal-specific stemware, and the new Mysterium blind tasting flights that put even experienced wine lovers playfully on the spot. The rotating art exhibitions woven throughout the tasting room and estate give the visit an additional cultural dimension that sets Ex Nihilo apart from purely wine-focused stops on the trail. CHAOS Bistro's daily small plates — charcuterie boards, local cheese selections, and seasonal bites — pair beautifully with any tasting, while the Dinner Series takes the full potential of the estate and reveals it in one extraordinary evening. The Mediterranean and Italian-themed long-table dinners have developed a devoted following and sell out quickly — booking ahead is essential.


The Wine

Winemaker Ron Mayberry crafts a portfolio shaped by a single philosophy — let the vineyard speak, and get out of the way. The twenty southwest-facing acres deliver fruit of exceptional intensity, producing wines that punch well above their Lake Country cool-climate expectations. The whites — including an elegant Pinot Gris, aromatic Riesling, and a layered Chardonnay — are the backbone of the portfolio, while the reds have surprised and delighted even Napa-seasoned visitors who arrive expecting only whites and leave with armfuls of Reserve Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The Reserve Series, available exclusively to wine club members, represents the pinnacle of the estate — small-lot, single-varietal bottles that reward cellaring and reflect the full potential of one of Lake Country's finest vineyard sites.


Good to Know

  • Best for: Wine enthusiasts, art lovers, foodies, couples, groups seeking an elevated and culturally rich winery experience

  • Don't miss: The Memor Vivo Reserve Tasting and the Dinner Series — book the latter well in advance as tickets sell out quickly

  • Signature wines: Reserve Petit Verdot, Reserve Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir

  • Tasting fee: $16 per person Signature Tasting — $30 per person Memor Vivo Reserve Tasting

  • Reservations: Strongly recommended — walk-ins welcome if space allows but tastings can fill up on busy summer days

  • Note: CHAOS Bistro is currently closed for à la carte service — small plates only, available daily 11am–4pm. Confirm dining availability before visiting

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