A fresh wave is rolling through the Okanagan Valley, reshaping the local wine industry—one love story at a time. Across the region, young couples are stepping into vineyards together, whether by taking the reins of family estates or starting from scratch with their own hands and hearts.
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Across B.C. wine country, a new generation is blending passion and partnership into every vintage. These aren’t just winemakers. They’re storytellers, dreamers and brand-builders. With fresh ideas and a commitment to authenticity, they’re creating wines that not only speak to the land but also reflect who they are as partners in life and in business.
Behind every bottle is more than just technique—it’s a shared vision, a grind-it-out work ethic, and a belief that wine should offer more than taste. It should offer an experience, a memory, a lasting connection.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: winemaking is no romantic stroll through the vines. It’s early mornings, late nights, weather mood swings, political red tape and navigating the ever-changing tastes of consumers. It’s risk. It’s pressure. It’s backbreaking.
Still, when passion and partnership collide, grape things can happen.
Here’s a look at three inspiring dream teams who are making their mark on the Okanagan wine scene.
Meet Cassandra and Dakota
Over the Fence Winery, Osoyoos, BC
At Over the Fence Winery in Osoyoos, love and terroir run deep. Young couple Cassandra and Dakota Hood are bringing fresh energy, and heartfelt intention to the South Okanagan wine scene.
This Osoyoos winery with its lakeview tasting room and sun-kissed patio is born from the shared dream with Cassandra’s parents, Darrell and Pamela Endresen, to make really good wine with a space that feels like home.
Cassandra’s journey began over Sunday dinners filled with wine-fueled conversation. Hungry for change, she moved to Osoyoos in 2017 to chase her passion, starting at Hester Creek Estate Winery. Six years later, her dream of building something meaningful with her family became a reality.
For Dakota, a lifelong Osoyoos local, it was witnessing Cassandra’s joy in the vineyard that sparked his own calling. Inspired, he enrolled in a winemaking assistant program, trading his old life for a new rhythm of farming, fermenting and family.
Together, they’re crafting wines that embody their values — connection, authenticity and deep roots in the Okanagan soil. There’s lots of fun mixed in there as well. Their Hey Neighbour collection, named for the welcoming spirit they hope to foster, is as much about community as it is about the craft.
“Decisions are collaborative but we’ve learned to lean into each other’s strengths,” says Cassandra. “Dakota handles the cellar and vineyard management, I oversee guest experience and storytelling, and my parents provide guidance and support through all parts of the business. It’s very much a ‘many hands, one dream’ model.”
The challenge of working with your partner is learning how to turn work off.
“When you live and work together, it can be easy to let business blend into every part of your life.
“We’ve had to learn to set boundaries — to make space for conversations that aren’t about barrels, labels, or events (which can be extremely challenging),” she laughs. “But honestly, the shared excitement we feel in seeing people enjoy what we’ve built together far outweighs the hard parts.”
The couple also has a pulse on changing consumer tastes, especially among younger drinkers.
“We’ve found Gen Z values transparency, creativity and experience over traditional prestige — so we meet them there. We also think about the in-person experience: creating a space that feels inclusive, relaxed and Instagram-worthy without being staged.
“Music, food partnerships and events that blend culture and community, like pizza nights, live music, lounge offerings daily. We’re building a vibe that feels like a backyard hangout with friends.”
With its cozy tasting room and inviting patio, Over the Fence says it all in its name, a place where neighbours become friends, making memories one glass at a time.
