From Stilettos to Blundstones: Jennifer Molgat's 20-Year Journey at The View Winery I'll never forget the first time I met Jennifer Molgat. She swished into the tiny wine boutique where I worked, in a full length red dress with matching red stilettos. She was statuesque with shoulder length blond hair, smiling like she owned the place. In an industry dominated by legacy surnames and quiet hierarchies, Jennifer understood something early on: if you want to be remembered, shape the encounter. Those red stilettos became part of her brand. Bold, confident, unmistakable. And what makes this story so good? After two decades of building The View Winery into one of the Okanagan's most resilient operations, Jennifer is contemplating a refresh. Those shiny red heels might soon give way to soft brown Blundstones. This confidence tells you all you need to know about the wine gal she's become. Building a Winery With Plenty of GritWhen Jennifer started at The View Winery, she didn't arrive with an academic enology degree or a generational wine dynasty behind her. She arrived as an entrepreneur, a mother, and a business builder willing to learn by doing. In rooms full of credentials and established names, that can feel like an uphill battle. But here's the thing about survival - it's its own qualification. For over two decades, Jennifer has navigated wildfires, brutal drought cycles, and the catastrophic winter freezes that reshaped the Okanagan's agricultural reality. Lesser operations folded. The View adapted, evolved, and kept going. The 2024 Challenge: Distraction Frizzante The 2024 winter freeze was devastating. While many saw a 99% loss, Jennifer and winemaker Kristy French managed to save a quarter of their yield. They had a choice: pull the vines or pivot. They chose to double the cane length, giving the buds every chance to bounce back. It worked. From those survivor Pinot and Pinotage vines comes the 2024 Distraction Frizzante. It’s a bright, 12% abv sparkler that feels joyful despite the brutal year that birthed it. It wasn’t the vintage they planned; it was the vintage they made work. That distinction matters. The Backbone: A Culture That Values Women
The Wisdom of Old Vines (and Old Roots)The estate's Riesling comes from what they call "mystery clones" - vines planted long ago without detailed records of origin. They've survived freeze events, climate shifts, and everything the Okanagan has thrown at them. They endure because their roots run deep. Much like Jennifer's place in the Okanagan. She didn't follow a traditional path. She learned - trial by fire. And now, twenty years in, Jennifer is reflecting on the journey. The red stilettos - once such a bold declaration - give way to Blundstones (Blunnies). It would be easy to frame it as a departure from glamour. It's not. The heels built visibility. They got her noticed, remembered, taken seriously in rooms where women weren't always welcomed. But the boots signal something deeper. In truth, vineyards aren't pruned in stilettos, rather they are shaped over time, in these well worn, cellar slippers . Maybe that’s the point: over time, we all find out who we are. Three Bottles to Discover at The View Winery 2022 Elements Dry Riesling $27.95Tart green apple, racy acidity, and mineral tension from those old "mystery clone" vines I mentioned. This is a reminder that roots matter - both in the vineyard and in life. Gorgeous with fresh oysters or Asian cuisine. Here is the link. 2022 Black Rhino Pinotage $39.95Structured and expressive, with black cherry depth, savoury herbs and a hint of spice. Pinotage (famously South African) was once considered risky in the Okanagan, but this wine stands confidently in its own right. It's bold, it's unapologetic, and it pairs beautifully with grilled meats or hearty stews. Here is the link. 2024 Distraction Frizzante $26.95Bright, lively, and born of a challenging vintage, this Pinot and Pinotage sparkler offers fresh orchard fruit and crisp lift. At 12%, it's refreshing and buoyant - proof that resilience can taste joyful. The perfect summer sipper that tells a survivor's story. Here is the link. Did I Mention Fondue? In January I stopped by the View Winery for a "Sip & Dip Fondue in the Barrel Room" experience with Jennifer. Two styles of warm fondue were served - Cheese & Dark Chocolate - and it was over the top delicious. At $35 per person, it includes a selection of three styles of wine, all mentioned above. Book now. Powerful LessonThe View Winery has staying power. This team has established themselves vintage by vintage, crisis by crisis. Hard work isn't glamorous; it’s persistent. It’s showing up, adapting, and protecting what matters when disaster strikes. Molgat has followed her own path with a mix of optimism and pure tenacity. In an industry as volatile as the climate itself, that might be the most powerful lesson of all. Need to Know: Planning Your Visit The View Winery & Vineyard
Address: 2287 Ward Road, Kelowna, BC Open Year Around Hours: Check website for seasonal hours Join the Red Shoe Wine Club and choose your shoe - memberships named after famous brands like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Louboutin and Converse. How cute! When planning a trip to Kelowna, put The View Winery on your list. Jennifer, Kristy, and their team have weathered wildfires, freezes, and everything in between and they're still making beautiful wine and delicious tasting experiences. Tell them Good Wine Gal sent you. Remember: BC makes "good wine" . Let's do what we can to keep these incredible women-led wineries thriving. Please share with your wine-loving friends. The more we share, the more we elevate. Cheers! |
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I blog about "good wine" and how to find it! Join me on my adventures of finding beautiful wine loving places, people and those special bottles we all get excited about. Archives
March 2026
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Photos from Magnus Reuterdahl, wuestenigel, Fareham Wine