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A Kelowna, B.C., winery has left a number of couples jilted at the altar after going into receivership.<\/p>\n
Court documents show that Vibrant Vine owes lenders nearly $7 million \u2014 and took wedding bookings despite being in financial trouble for years.<\/p>\n
A wedding planner and two couples, whose events were scheduled for later this summer, say the winery’s owners provided no warning of their financial issues, and clients are now out thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
Molly Clayton, a wedding planner whose clients’ big day was set for June 6, said she began trying to nail down details with Vibrant Vine two months ago after her clients paid their deposits \u2014 but received no reply.<\/p>\n
LISTEN | Molly Clayton describes her clients’ situation:<\/p>\n
Daybreak South7:12Left at the altar: A winery goes belly up in Kelowna, leaving betrothed couples scrambling<\/p>\n
Molly Clayton is a wedding planner in Kelowna. She spoke to the CBC’s Chris Walker about the Vibrant Vine winery.<\/p>\n
“I started emailing them every day, calling them every day, hounding them really,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I even tried to go to the venue, but it was closed \u2014 which is strange, because they have a wine shop that’s usually open year-round for tastings,” Clayton added.<\/p>\n
It was only when Clayton got a call from a court-appointed receiver \u2014 who was reviewing Vibrant Vine’s contracts \u2014 that she realized the winery had gone into receivership. <\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777223534_667_default.jpg\")
The property has been listed for sale for just under $7 million. It was last assessed as being worth just under $5.8 million. (Realtor.ca)<\/p>\n
Kenna Haacke, whose wedding was scheduled for June 28, had a similar experience.<\/p>\n
After paying more than $6,700 to secure the venue, she never heard back from the winery’s owners for months, and only found out about the winery going bust when the receiver contacted her.<\/p>\n
Despite being with her fianc\u00e9 for 15 years, Haacke says she may have to cancel her wedding outright.<\/p>\n
“What hurts the most is that we’re completely left in the dark,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It’s my understanding that they knew this when they took our money … they haven’t apologized,” Haacke added.<\/p>\n
CBC News reached out to Vibrant Vine’s owners Wyn and Marion Lewis, but did not hear back before publication.<\/p>\n
LISTEN | Couples say they feel jilted:<\/p>\n
Daybreak South6:33More couples are coming forward with stories of being jilted by a Kelowna winery that went out of business<\/p>\n
The sudden closure of Vibrant Vine has left numerous couples out thousands of dollars and scrambling to find a wedding venue.Years of financial trouble<\/p>\n
Court documents show that Vibrant Vine first defaulted on its mortgage three years ago, and struck a deal with the bank to continue operating while they tried to sell the property.<\/p>\n
Those efforts collapsed this past February, despite two attempts to sell the site.<\/p>\n
“In mid-March, the [debtors] informed the [bank] that, due to personal issues, insufficient cash flow, and the collapsed sale of the [winery], they were unable to continue operating the [winery] and consent to the appointment of a receiver,” one of the documents reads.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777223535_952_default.jpg\")
The winery first started facing financial troubles in February 2023, according to court documents. (Vibrant Vine)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777223535_727_default.jpg\")
A table arrangement is seen on Vibrant Vine’s website. (Vibrant Vine)<\/p>\n