If you venture down Sallows Road in East Kelowna, you’ll find a gravel driveway on your left, just before the road dead-ends. Drive up, and you’ll find an unassuming winery built for function. There’s no grand architecture or sweeping lake view here. The tasting room is small and practical, and occasionally you might find yourself sampling wines right in the winery.
That’s part of the charm of Nagging Doubt.
Owned and operated by Rob and Abbey Westbury, Nagging Doubt is a hidden gem that many wine lovers have yet to discover.
Rob is sharp as a tack, knowledgeable and experienced, yet remarkably humble. He and Abbey have spent years building the winery from the ground up, taking on virtually every job that comes with growing grapes and making wine.
Rob started out as a musician and psychology major before spending time in the corporate world. While working on assignment in California, he developed a love of wine and eventually decided to make a career change. He immersed himself in the study of wine, grape growing and winemaking, working with Okanagan winemakers to develop his skills. In 2010, he and Abbey began making wine commercially, eventually putting down roots on Sallows Road and developing their own estate vineyard.
Abbey’s path was equally varied. An early interest in archaeology led her in that direction before she earned a degree in radio and television and worked in film and television post-production, along with various museum jobs. Those experiences may seem far removed from vineyard work, but they prepared her surprisingly well for life at Nagging Doubt, where she has taken on everything from marketing and running the tasting room to working in the cellar and vineyard.
Winemaking is so glamorous!
I admire people like Rob and Abbey who have the vision and passion to do it all — farmers and producers, working side by side to build something of their own. Nagging Doubt began in 2010, and the Westburys have spent years turning that dream into a working winery.
Their estate vineyard is in the East Kelowna Slopes, where they grow varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Siegerrebe and Ortega. Rob’s two particular passions are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They also source grapes from other parts of the Okanagan, including Summerland, Naramata and Osoyoos.
The portfolio isn’t extensive, and that’s a good thing. It allows them to concentrate on making each wine rather than trying to produce everything under the sun. The focus has traditionally included a strong lineup of reds, along with aromatic whites.
Over the years, I’ve been impressed by their Chardonnay, Siegerrebe, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and the red blends The Leap and The Pull. Their current portfolio continues to include several of those varieties, although the wines available naturally change from vintage to vintage.
I recently had guests in town who enjoy wine and know quite a bit about it, so I thought Nagging Doubt would be the perfect place to take them — somewhere they were unlikely to stumble upon otherwise. Besides, it had been far too long since I’d visited Rob and Abbey.
The visit reminded me why small wineries like this are worth seeking out. You don’t go to Nagging Doubt for the grand entrance or the sweeping view. You go for the people, the hands-on approach and the well-crafted wines.
Whenever you’re in Kelowna, give them a call and set up a tasting appointment. I’m sure you’ll be impressed. Current tastings are by appointment, so don’t simply show up and expect someone to be waiting at the door. They are likely busy in the vineyard, the winery, or on the crush pad.
Nagging Doubt Winery
4513 Sallows Road
Kelowna, B.C.
250-764-0610
Feature image courtesy of the winery.
