The New Pioneers of Okanagan Luxury: Inside Azhadi Vineyards and O’Rourke Family Estate The Okanagan Valley

The New Pioneers of Okanagan Luxury:

Inside Azhadi Vineyards and O’Rourke Family Estate

The Okanagan Valley has evolved into a global destination for architectural wonders and Michelin-calibre gastronomy. Leading this high-end renaissance are two breathtaking properties redefining fine dining, milestones, and modern cool-climate viticulture:

Azhadi Vineyards in North Kelowna's McKinley area and O’Rourke Family Estate’s Row 188 in Carrs Landing, Lake Country.

For modern winelovers seeking a true taste of luxury, these properties deliver world-class hospitality. From hosting premier business events to orchestrating flawless weddings, here is how these two magnificent estates grew from grand blueprints into the most sought-after bookings in British Columbia.

Arrive in Style: Executive Logistics by Experience Life PMA

When booking ultra-luxury valley experiences, standard transport simply will not do. To bridge the gap between your arrival and these magnificent hillsides, Experience Life PMA provides the region's premier private transit ecosystem.

Whether you require a seamless local pick up, a private airport shuttle from Kelowna International Airport (YLW), or coordination for an elite helicopter pad service right onto the vineyard grounds, their concierge fleet ensures your arrival matches the grandeur of your destination.

You can plan your custom transportation itinerary via the Experience Life PMA Booking Portal, or read up on regional travel tips via the Experience Life PMA

1. Azhadi Vineyards: Where Persia Meets the Okanagan

The History & Establishment

Perched on a dramatic 42-acre granite hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake, Azhadi Vineyards is a stunning fusion of Eastern soul and Western elegance. Centered around a majestic 19.5-metre observation tower inspired by Tehran’s iconic Freedom Tower, the four-story, 30,000-square-foot winery acts as a striking landmark and an art gallery. The property features structural curation that honors 2,500 years of Persian heritage, adorned with antique Persian rugs alongside classic Canadian art pieces from the Group of Seven.

The Owners' History

Proprietors Mike and Janet Asadi (Azhadi) are well-known figures in the local wine community. Having become principal owners of the acclaimed Ex Nihilo Vineyards in Lake Country back in 2018, Mike envisioned a brand-new legacy project that same year after being inspired by a bald eagle soaring over a raw granite knoll in McKinley Beach. Driven by his Persian heritage and a desire to celebrate Canada’s multicultural inclusivity, the duo designed Azhadi to foster deep human connection and profound gratitude.

Timeline to Establishment

• 8 Years in Total: The initial concept sparked in 2018.
• Planting & Development: The first vines were planted on the sloped estate in 2019.
• Grand Opening: Construction wrapped, and the grand opening for the winery and its signature restaurant officially took place in February 2026.

Actual Wines & Viticulture

Guided by Senior Winemaker Jim Faulkner, Azhadi specializes in sustainable, single vineyard, small-lot vintages.

• Current Varietals: Pinot Noir, Riesling, Viognier, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
• Tasting Profiles: Guests can book an immersive wine tasting like the Discovery Experience or Reflection Tasting directly via the Azhadi Vineyards Tock Page.
• Signature Pour: The newly released 2025 estate grown Rosé harvested from their very first crop, alongside high-end reserve wines resting in the cellar.

Fine Dining, Milestones & Private Client Services

The on-site culinary jewel, Journey Restaurant, offers an immersive fine dining experience overlooking the lake. Managed by Chef Alain, French culinary techniques harmonize with bold, global flavors. It is the premier spot for upscale couple wine tours seeking romantic sunset dinners on the patio.

• Milestones & Corporate Gatherings: The architectural layout makes it a dream venue for intimate anniversaries, high-end weddings, and business events looking to impress out-of-town executives.
• Elite Access: Through their dedicated private client services, VIP guests can secure private lounge access and tailored tasting itineraries away from the main crowds.

2. O’Rourke Family Estate & Row 188: A Multi-Million Dollar Masterpiece

The History & Establishment

Spanning an awe-inspiring 300 acres along the granite benches of Carrs Landing, O'Rourke Family Estate is a colossal feat of engineering and luxury hospitality. The massive 270,000-square-foot facility is built directly into 140-million-year-old granite cliffs, featuring 300 metres of winding underground tunnels and 12,000 square feet of literal wine caves. The property is a full destination ecosystem, complete with an outdoor amphitheatre for live concert events, private vineyard log homes, and its crown jewel restaurant, Row 188.

The Owner's History

The estate is the lifelong vision of rugged entrepreneur and proprietor Dennis O'Rourke. O'Rourke made his mark building successful multi-million dollar businesses in construction, concrete, and development, bringing that exact structural boldness to the wine world. His mandate was uncompromising: create an architectural legacy in Lake Country that matches the finest estates of Europe, utilizing meticulous hand-carved stone and modern design.

Timeline to Establishment

• 11 Years in the Making: This project has been an ultra-ambitious, multi-phase build since 2015.
• Public Launch: While private operations have hummed for years, Row 188 officially welcomed the public for fine dining in late 2025/early 2026.

Actual Wines & Viticulture

O'Rourke’s 110 acres of cool-climate vines take advantage of unique glacial soils and natural drainage to produce actual wines focused on extreme site precision and minerality.

• Core Focus: World-class, terroir-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and select aromatic whites.
• Tasting Note: Guests can sample these highly anticipated cellared vintages at Row 188 or the estate's adjacent property, Peak Cellars.

Fine Dining, Elite Events & VIP Services

Led by world-class Executive Chef Julien Lamrani, Row 188 enforces an elevated atmosphere perched at the top of the world with views that take your breath away. The cuisine follows a strict estate-grown and locally foraging philosophy.

• The Tasting Menus: Bookings open ahead of time on the official O'Rourke Family Estate Tock Portal.
• World-Class Gatherings: With its dramatic natural amphitheatre, the estate is engineered for large-scale concert events, breathtaking weddings, milestone anniversaries, and sweeping corporate retreats.
• Exclusive Access: Their tailored private client services cater to serious collectors and corporate groups, granting rare access to VIP cave tastings, private log home rentals, and library reserve wines.

3. Fine Dining Showcase: Menus, Pricing & Hours

To help you secure your next high-end culinary booking, here is the breakdown of what to expect when dining at both flagship properties.

Smart Spending Tip: For a buget conscious tour (budget-conscious) that still delivers a taste of luxuary, you can choose to enjoy the à la carte options at Journey or select the base-tier dining option at Row 188 without the optional wine pairings to keep your visit highly reasonable. However, if you choose the top-tier experiences, rest assured that all inclusive means all inclusive when it comes to elite cellar matches.

Fine Dining Comparison Matrix

Establishment & LinkCulinary StyleMenu Concept & Sample DishesPricingAvailable Times & Hours

Journey at Azhadi VineyardsFrench technique infused with bold Mediterranean and Persian flavors.À La Carte & Tasting Formats:

• Starters: Scallop Crudo, Crispy Pork Belly ($21 - $28)

• Mains: Josper Grill Ribeye, Roasted Sablefish ($42 - $75)

• Tasting Menus: Multi-course Harmony & Indulgence Experiences

• À La Carte: Entrées from $42

• Tasting Menus: $80 – $165 per person (Wine pairings optional)

Tuesday – Saturday:

12:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Sunday:

Wine Tastings & Light Bites OnlyRow 188 at O'Rourke Family Estate

Hyper-seasonal, terroir-driven cuisine utilizing estate-grown ingredients.

Plated Degustation Menus:

• Highlights: Butter-poached Lobster Tail with sweet onion soup, Dungeness Crab in Bouillabaisse broth, Bourbon-glazed Pork Belly, Miso-marinated Sablefish, and prime local Beef Tenderloin.

• 3-Course Degustation: From $165 per person

• 5-Course Degustation: Premium Pricing (Inquire at booking)

• Pairings available at added tier.Friday – Sunday:

Seatings from 5:00 PM

(Last reservation accepted at 6:30 PM)

Reservations Required

Both of these masterworks represent an incredible leap forward for British Columbia's luxury tourism market. Whether you are pulled by the artistic majesty of Azhadi or the raw granite tunnels of O’Rourke, your next dining excursion into the Okanagan promises to be absolutely unforgettable.