There's WOW factor on so many levels.
From the massive circular landscaping feature out front to the 20-metre-tall Persian-inspired entrance.
From the 180-degree view of Okanagan Lake and the mountains to the dramatic slope of the surrounding vineyards.
From the curved white walls of wine to the glassy restaurant and tasting rooms and wrap-around patios..
Up the curved staircases to the second floor Persian rug gallery and private lounges and event and conference rooms.
Prism windows turn streams of light into colourful fleck on the floor, walls and staircase.
This is Azhadi Vineyards, the Okanagan's newest winery at McKinley Beach near Kelowna that combines striking setting with one-of-a-kind architecture.
"Azhadi's tagline is 'unlike anything'," said membership experience manager Travis Montgomery.
"And, we are absolutely 'unlike anything' else not just in the Okanagan, but in all of Canada."
He's right.
The 30,000-square-foot winery building and the wine will take you to places you've never been before -- a new landmark, a new standard for the Okanagan wine industry.
Azhadi is the last name of owners Mike (who has Persian roots) and Janet.
Mike, a mechanical engineer by trade, and Janet, a registered nurse, made their money with H&K Supply, a massive, international company that manufactures and installs equipment to health care facilities and restaurant chains such as McDonald's, Burger King and Arby's.
After living in Ontario and Texas, the couple discovered the Okanagan and bought Ex Nihilo Winery in Lake Country.
On the lookout for vineyard land in 2018, they came across the 41-acre granite knoll at McKinley Beach.
A bald eagle flew overhead, convincing the couple that they should not only buy the land, but create a winery there that would tie into the griffin logo of Azhadi.
By the way, a griffin is the half-lion, half-eagle creature from Persian myths.
The winemaker at Azhadi is Jim Faulkner, who also crafts the wines at Ex Nihilo.
"At Azhadi, we blend with intention and a touch of rebellion -- crafing wines that defy expectation and invite discovery," he said.
"They are designed to captivate."
When my wife, Kerry, and I dropped by Azhadi to be dazzled, we did the Reflection Experience for $40 each.
The one-hour seated tasting at Journeys restaurant featured five wines -- 2023 Riesling ($36), 2023 Chardonnay ($55), 2022 Pinot Noir ($65), 2022 Merlot ($45) and 2020 Griffin, the signature proprietary red blend that costs $120 a bottle.
In all, there are 11 wines in the portfolio with the others being the 2021 Cabernet Franc ($52), 2021 Shiraz ($62), 2022 Pardis red blend ($60), 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($58), 2023 GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) ($70) and 2024 Amoris sparkling rose ($44).
There are other seated tastings with the basic one being Discovery Experience, a 35-minute sip of four wines for $25 each.
The Harmony Experience ($80) is five wines with food pairings and the Indulgence Experience ($80) is also five wines, but with dessert pairings.
Experiences run noon to 6 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Journey restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 pm and features Persian-inspired dishes like scallop crudo, melon and feta salad, Persian dips, kababs, steaks, lamb shank and lingcod.
Check out https://azhadivineyards.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday in this space.
