BY J.M. LEE
Manpreet’s path into winemaking wasn’t a traditional one. She pursued a career in nursing while staying involved with her family’s winery, helping manage the tasting room during their busy season. “In 2022, during a bumper crop in the Okanagan, I stayed on beyond the busy season and stepped into the cellar to help during harvest,” she recalls. “What I expected to be a temporary break from nursing became a turning point. I loved the hands-on, intuitive, and rewarding process. In 2023, I stepped into a leadership role at our family winery. As a South Asian woman in the industry, I’m proud to be building on my family’s foundation while shaping a path that feels distinctly my own.”
For Manpreet, empowerment means creating space for others and making the path more visible for the women who come next. It’s not solely about opportunity, but rather owning one’s voice, decisions, and the path one chooses.
“You don’t need to fit into a predefined version of leadership to be effective. In traditionally male-dominated industries, it’s easy to feel like you have to prove yourself in a certain way, but leading with authenticity, intuition, and self-trust is just as powerful.”
Confidence is something Manpreet has grown into, even if there were moments when she doubted whether she belonged. But over time, the work, recognition for award-winning wines, being named to the BC Business 30 Under 30 list, and the support of her family reminded her that she did. “I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t always come first—you build it by doing the work and trusting yourself along the way.”
As a leader, Manpreet focuses on creating a supportive environment and sharing knowledge with her team. When they feel confident and understand what they’re doing, they perform at their best, and they all succeed.
“To me, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are more than representation. Creating spaces where people genuinely feel they belong and are valued for who they are envelops its meaning. Being a young woman from a South Asian background in an industry where there isn’t much representation, I’ve seen how powerful it is to feel supported and included. It’s not just about opening doors. Instead, it’s making sure people feel confident walking through them.”
Manpreet has always admired her parents. As immigrants from Punjab, they built their lives in the Okanagan from the ground up, driven by resilience and hard work. Watching them take risks, adapt, and build something for their family has shaped how she approaches her career and leadership.
“I admire my parents for how they supported me as I stepped into a non-traditional role. They never made me feel like I didn’t belong. They encouraged me to grow into the role. Their journey is a constant reminder of what’s possible with determination, and I carry it with me every day.”
This experience has evolved and become an alignment. “Doing work that feels meaningful, growing through it, and building something, made me genuinely proud.
Success, to me, is also about consistency and resilience. It’s not just the big moments, but showing up every day, making thoughtful decisions, and continuing to move forward even when things feel uncertain. And more importantly, it’s not something you achieve alone. Being able to grow alongside a strong team, support others, and share in that progress—that’s a big part of what success looks like to me. Therefore, trust yourself. You likely know more than you think, and you don’t need to wait until you feel completely ready to take the next step.”
Manpreet believes there’s no single path or role women are meant to fit into. “You can take up space and lead in any industry, even those that have traditionally been male-dominated. For future women leaders, don’t let such dissonance discourage you from pursuing what genuinely interests you. And just as importantly, support other women along the way. The more we create space for each other, the stronger we all become.”
A book that’s stayed with Manpreet is Atomic Habits by James Clear. “It shifted how I think about growth—not as big, sudden changes but as small, consistent actions that compound over time. That mindset has been especially relevant to winemaking, where patience and attention to detail make all the difference.”
Manpreet describes herself as adaptable, driven, and grounded.
