Mike Azhadi became the sole owner of Ex Nihilo Vineyards in 2023. It is one of only seven wineries in Lake Country, Okanagan Valley British Columbia. Mike’s experience spans over 40 years in business, engineering, and manufacturing. During this period, Mike has worked with the largest global corporations in hospitality industries. Specifically, he worked in restaurants, construction, and manufacturing environments worldwide in executive leadership and ownership capacities. He strives to lead and work with a great team in creating, enhancing, and differentiating the brands. He is currently working on what will be one of the largest destination location winery projects in Okanagan Valley, Azhadi Vineyards.
Media Inquiries: mike@azhadivineyards.com | https://aziziarchitect.com/hospitality/ | http://www.exnihilovineyards.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brands?
Gathering and Gratitude. What I mean is that Nature brings us to a present and positive frame of mind. Great wine, food, and being in nature act as an enabler.
Initially, I was looking for a vineyard only. One cold snowy day in January 2018 we entered the property, walked about a mile to the top of the granite knoll, and were overwhelmed by the beauty of it all including a bald eagle flying above. The knoll was situated in the middle of the property and would not be farmable. I named it the “Gratitude Knoll”. I started imagining the vineyards surrounding it while also overlooking the Okanagan Lake with no view obstruction. That was the moment I felt this was a special place and had a sense of arrival. I needed to share this property to bring good thoughts, good words, and good deeds to people. As we continue the journey, we won’t compromise on two things; 1. Based on what nature provides us, we’ll strive to make the best wine possible. 2. We’ll focus on providing the best experience for our guests. Ancient Persian saying “Guest is God”.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
Environmental challenges are the real constraints, and I trust by thinking differently and acting accordingly we will be able to overcome them. We continue to anticipate, innovate, and elevate the outcomes from farming to winemaking while remembering how we define success: By paying our experiences forward and encouraging others to do so as well. Our offering is wine, our strength is people. Believing and trusting in people is key.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
I would choose the Azhadi Vineyards Griffin as our most emblematic wine. When I was looking for a logo for our brand, I came across a gold sculpture of a Griffin in the Chicago Museum of History. The 3000-year-old gold piece was discovered by British archeologists in 60’s in Iran. The mythical creature (half lion, half eagle) is represented to be the protector of land and sky. Ancient Persians believed that when you are under the shadow of Griffin you are safe. Read my review of the Azhadi Griffin.