Kismet’s Manpreet Dhaliwal Continues Award-Winning Rise

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Kismet’s Manpreet Dhaliwal Continues Award-Winning Rise
with National and International Wine Honours

Canada’s first and only South Asian female head winemaker
adds major competition results, critic recognition,
and leadership honours to a standout season

Just three years after becoming Head Winemaker, Manpreet Dhaliwal is earning recognition across some of the world’s most respected wine competitions, with wines from the Kismet Estate Winery VQA portfolio receiving medals at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, WineAlign National Awards of Canada, and All Canadian Wine Championships.

Most recently, Kismet earned Silver medals and 90-point scores for its 2021 Moksha and 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve at the Decanter World Wine Awards, one of the world’s largest international wine competitions.

The results follow a strong showing at the WineAlign National Awards of Canada, where Kismet received Gold medals for its 2021 Moksha and 2020 Virsa. The winery also earned Bronze medals for its 2025 Saféd, 2025 Phulkari Rosé, 2022 Karma, and 2025 Infinity Rosé.

At the All Canadian Wine Championships, Kismet received Double Gold for Pinot Grigio, Gold for Infinity Rosé, and Silver medals for Karma and Virsa. The result marks the second Double Gold for Kismet’s Pinot Grigio under Dhaliwal’s leadership, following the same top honour for the 2023 vintage.

Kismet also received standout reviews from international wine critic James Suckling, including 93 points for the 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve, 93 points for the 2022 Mantra, 92 points for the 2021 Moksha, and 90 points for the 2025 Pinot Grigio. The reviews described the Cabernet Franc Reserve as “potent, dark and full-bodied,” the Mantra as “nicely layered,” the Moksha as a balanced Rhône-inspired red blend, and the Pinot Grigio as a nuanced and compelling white wine.

Together, the honours show the range of Dhaliwal’s winemaking across white, rosé, and red wines, with recognition spanning international judging panels, Canada’s leading wine competitions, and one of the world’s most respected wine critics.

Since becoming Head Winemaker in 2023 at age 26, Dhaliwal has earned 26 national and international wine awards, including 14 medals from her first full vintage alone. The results reflect a thoughtful, vineyard-first approach to winemaking, pairing estate-grown fruit with careful blending and Kismet’s longstanding quality-over-quantity philosophy.

“These awards mean a great deal because they come from different judges, competitions, and perspectives, both here in Canada and internationally,” said Manpreet Dhaliwal, Head Winemaker, Kismet Estate Winery. “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.”

The wine recognition follows two major personal honours for Dhaliwal in 2026. Earlier this year, she was named to the BCBusiness 30 Under 30 Class of 2026. She has now also been selected as one of Drishti Magazine’s Influential Women of the Year, an annual recognition celebrating 10 women whose work challenges convention, advances gender equality, and creates opportunities for others.

“To have my work recognized alongside women who are making an impact across so many different industries is incredibly special,” said Dhaliwal. “Representation matters to me, but so does being able to back that representation up through the work. 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.”

Her winemaking is supported by the Dhaliwal family’s more than three decades of viticulture experience in the South Okanagan. The family farms more than 600 acres across the region, with Kismet wines made from estate-grown fruit selected from the top 10% of that vineyard portfolio.

“Watching Manpreet grow into this role has been one of the proudest moments for our family,” said Balwinder Dhaliwal, Co-Founder, 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.”

2026 Wine Recognition

Decanter World Wine Awards

WineAlign National Awards of Canada

All Canadian Wine Championships

James Suckling Reviews

Additional 2026 Recognition

The award-winning wines are available now through the Kismet Estate Winery tasting room and online at kismetestatewinery.com, while quantities last.

About Kismet Estate Winery: 

Kismet Estate Winery is a family-owned winery in Oliver, B.C., the Wine Capital of Canada, producing award-winning  wines from estate-grown fruit farmed by the Dhaliwal family across 600 acres in the South Okanagan. Kismet was founded with a clear focus on quality over quantity, selecting the top 10% of fruit from across the family’s vineyards to craft premium BC VQA wines that reflect both the region and the people behind them.

Head Winemaker Manpreet Dhaliwal leads Kismet’s winemaking program, bringing a precise, thoughtful approach that balances tradition with innovation. Guests can experience Kismet through the tasting room, wine clubs, and Manzil Restaurant, the winery’s on-site culinary destination.

Anchored in Indian hospitality and designed for B.C.’s wine country, Manzil is led by a South Asian female-driven team, including General Manager Neelam Dhaliwal and Winemaker Manpreet Dhaliwal. The restaurant features regional Indian dishes that are rare in North America, made with local ingredients and layered, vibrant flavours. Shared plates, wine pairings, and craft cocktails make Manzil a natural extension of the Kismet experience.

Learn more at kismetestatewinery.com and follow @kismetwines.

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