With grapevines on the property dating back to 1968, Hester Creek Estate Winery is one of the more popular and visited wineries in the Okanagan Valley. They are also one of the founding wineries on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, British Columbia.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to ride around the vineyards and see their old vines (Trebbiano and Cabernet Franc) with skilled winemaker Mark Hopley. We spoke about winemaking, vines and podcasts (he has a fly fishing podcast called Fly Fishing 97 if you want to check it out). He drove me all over their 115-acre property where we happened to meet up with vineyard manager, Iqbal Gill. The sun was shining, and everything felt right in the world.

My time at Hester Creek was one of the more memorable wine visits I have had – every team member I met was incredibly knowledgeable, professional and friendly. I hope that I will be able to go back and visit this summer – fingers crossed.

Hester Creek Estate Winery Review and Scores:

• Character White 2020 Okanagan Valley, B.C. VQA – fruity, uncomplicated and easy-going, this is a wine for summertime. A blend of mostly Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer, there are flavours of fresh peach, lemon pith, lychee and a hint of baking spice on the finish. 87 Points
• Pinot Gris/Viognier 2020 Okanagan Valley, B.C. VQA – co-fermented in stainless steel tanks, this is a nicely aromatic wine. It has an intoxicating floral bouquet on the nose and is bursting with ripe orchard fruits such as apricot, peach and nectarine. A very food-friendly wine. 89 Points
• Pinot Gris 2020 Okanagan Valley, B.C. VQA – for the price point of $16.99, you can’t go wrong with this Pinot Gris. Full of orchard fruit flavours such as pear and peach and a hint of tropical fruit and honey on the finish, this is everything you would want from an affordable Pinot Gris from B.C. 88 Points
• Old Vine Trebbiano 2020 Golden Mile Bench Okanagan Valley, B.C. VQA – Hester Creek’s Old Vine Trebbiano is a special wine. The vines came over in 1968 from Northern Italy and have been cared for meticulously ever since. The reward is this delicious wine. Quite luxurious on the palate, there are notes of mango, papaya, lime, honey and tangerine. 91 Points

Thank you to Hester Creek Estate Winery for providing me with these samples to review.

I look forward to visiting again as soon as I can!
Christine