Last month, our team was invited to experience Azhadi Vineyards—a striking new presence we would argue is already becoming one of the Okanagan’s most compelling landmarks. Rooted in Persian heritage yet seamlessly embedded into the valley’s natural topography, the property feels less like a winery and more like a cultural destination. One that invites both pause and perspective.

The approach alone is cinematic. As you descend the hillside, a dramatic archway rises into view, framing the lake beyond with quiet authority. It signals something intentional. An experience designed, not incidental.

Architecturally, the influence is unmistakable: a contemporary interpretation of Tehran’s Shahyad (Azadi) Tower, layered with elements inspired by the ancient Taq Kasra of Mesopotamia, still the world’s largest single-span brick vault. Yet here, these references feel neither imported nor imposed; they settle naturally into the Okanagan landscape, creating a rare dialogue between East and West.

It’s a reflection of its owners, Michael and Janet Azhadi, whose appreciation for the intersection of art, culture, and winemaking is not only evident, but foundational.

Before arriving at Azhadi, we made a deliberate stop at Ex Nihilo Vineyards, the couple’s established Lake Country property and an essential prelude to understanding the evolution of their vision.

“Mike cares deeply about community,” explained Hospitality Manager Liz Cosby as she poured us a selection of Ex Nihilo vintages. “Mike is the first one to make sure staff is okay. If he can make your life easier, he will.”

In 2018, the same year they became principal owners of Ex Nihilo, the Azhadis happened upon what would become Azhadi Vineyards—though “discovered” might be more accurate than “planned.” On January 9th, in nearly a foot and a half of snow, they first encountered the granite knoll that would ultimately define their next chapter.

The moment they found it, a bald eagle soared down the valley to land in one of the large trees still sitting next to the winery. To hear Mike tell the story, you can feel the awe, even half a decade later.

Azhadi Vineyard’s logo, the griffin, is both a nod to this story as well as a beloved mythical figure in Persian culture. Part lion and part eagle with a sun encircling it, this icon embodies the earth, air, and sky in perfect harmony. The griffin also symbolizes positive energy and protection. Depending on their years of service, you might spot employees sporting pins or even rings with the griffin symbol—a gift from the Azhadi family for their hard work.

“If you’re beneath the presence of a griffin, you are protected,” Mike shares. It’s one of many ways his heritage is woven into the experience: layered, thoughtful, and never overstated. At its core is a guiding philosophy: Think good, say good, do good. And over the course of our visit, that ethos felt less like a statement and more like something quietly lived.

“That’s a Mike-ism,” joked Jim Falkner, Senior Winemaker for both Azhadi Vineyards and Ex Nihilo. “He is a man of many sayings.”

Jim Faulkner is a well-respected figure within the Okanagan wine scene. His 25-year career spans familiar names such as Mt. Boucherie, Church & State, Summerhill Pyramid, and Cedar Creek. But perhaps most interesting is his journey into winemaking in the first place.

“I went into accounting,” Jim says, “and I didn’t like it.” Thankfully, he had done a brief season in the industry before and was welcomed back, kickstarting his long history in our region. And in 2018, while the winemaker at Ex Nihilo, Mike offered him the opportunity to be a part of their new project, what would eventually become Azhadi Vineyards.

Their first vintage came in the form of the 2020 Griffin—a mysterious blend that Jim still won’t admit the percentages for; all we know for certain is that it is not a Bordeaux. He did tease a hint, however: “It is much like the griffin itself: made from two things.”

One interesting aspect of his winemaking is the 2023 Resiling, which spent ten months aging in both French and Hungarian Oak barrels, quite unusual for this varietal. Azhadi Vineyards also uses the title Shiraz—unlike the rest of the Okanagan who habitually refer to it as Syrah—in honour of the grape’s ties to the Persian city of Shiraz (now present day Iran).

Perhaps one of the most stunning aspects of Azhadi Vineyards is the art corridor on the upper floor.

On either side, guests may admire Persian rugs—some up to almost 100 years old—as well as original paintings from The Group of Seven, Canada’s foundational landscape artists in the 1920s. This is due in large part to the love of art both Janet and Mike share. As she explained, the paintings were originally a gift from her husband because she loved them—and in true Mike fashion, that gift now extends to visitors enjoying the winery.

This level of gratitude and generosity is at the heart of Azhadi Vineyards.

“Wine shouldn’t be pretentious,” says Jim Falkner, a sentiment also held by Mike and Janet Azhadi. “It should be shared with family and friends.”

A truly remarkable blend of art and architecture, this new winery is a testament to Canada’s diverse, multicultural makeup and the resilience of our local terroir. Before you even step foot on the property, you feel transported to another place: one where history and culture meet the elegance and art of winemaking.

Now open, Azhadi invites exploration, not just of its wines, but of the story it continues to unfold.

Xx,

Your Okanagan Curators