A true family winery, Deol Vineyard is rooted in the farming traditions of the Deol family, who come from the Sikh Punjabi caste of Jhatts — literally meaning “farmers.” For generations, the family cultivated fruit. Founder Surjit S. Deol, together with his sons Gurdish and Gurdip, began farming in Duncan before moving to the Okanagan Valley. In 1984 they purchased a 10-acre orchard, known as Deol Orchards, where they grew peaches, cherries, apples, plums, and pears — and first began experimenting with grapes.

In 1999, the Deol family bought a 32-acre dairy farm on Somenos Road in North Cowichan, which they transformed into a vineyard. Today, Deol Vineyard encompasses 18 acres under vine, planted with eight grape varieties, the primary being Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Maréchal Foch, and Gamay Noir. At first, the family sold their grapes to other local wineries, but in 2008 they released their first vintage under their own label.

The winery produces a Blanc de Noir (white), Somenos Red, and a Gamay Rosé. A standout is the 2021 Gamay Rosé — a late-harvest wine, cold-soaked for 48 hours, with notes of ripe cherry and fresh wild raspberry, and a striking “midnight rose” hue. These approachable, budget-friendly local wines can often be found at community farmers’ markets and local events.