#3 Karnail Sidhu on being an outsider in wine, organic practices, listening to the land, and the joy and terror of empowering the next generation

This episode we’re joined by Karnail Sidhu, owner and operator of Kalala Organic Estate Winery in Kelowna BC. Karnail’s original background is an electrical engineer and his role as an outsider to the wine industry - as an engineer, immigrant, and Sikh - is one of both frustration and triumph. Karnail is dedicated to organic practices and draws on his Punjabi farming heritage to spend time listening to the land first. He also strongly empowers his staff and shares the successes and defeats of doing so - and why he won't stop.

This episode we’re joined by Karnail Sidhu, owner and operator of Kalala Organic Estate Winery in Kelowna BC. Karnail’s original background is an electrical engineer and he has a funny story how he ended up in the wine industry.

Karnail and Kalala have won numerous awards, most recently he was the BC Grapegrowers Association Viticulturist of the Year. This is a peer-selected award showing the standing he holds in the BC wine industry.

There are a few repeating themes you’ll pick up on. The first is the primacy of education – to always be learning. Karnail walks his talk here and you’ll hear some harrowing stories where this turned out well, and others where they became moments of learning. Another theme is the importance of gratitude and recognition of those who’ve supported you. Karnail goes out of his way to credit all those around him, colleague or employee, who played a role in his success. The last theme I’ll mention is the challenges of being an outsider – something Karnail experienced both as a new immigrant to Canada as well as an East Indian in the BC wine industry.

Sitting with Karnail I was impressed by his kindness for others and passion for viticulture. Take a listen.

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