Walter and Cristine Makepeace moved 13 times during their careers with the RCMP. In 2005, just before Walter retired from the force, they settled down in the South Similkameen Valley, buying a highway-side organic apple and peach orchard near Cawston where they could finally put down roots for themselves and for their three children.
Nine years later, the property has blossomed into the family-operated Hugging Tree Estate Winery that includes daughter Jennifer and son’s Wes and Brad and Daughter-in-Law Tara.
In 2019, they decided to focus more heavily on viticulture and moved to a new location in the Similkameen, with the purchase of 2 new properties. These sites, among the hottest in the valley, offer varied micro-terroirs that allow for a broader portfolio of wines that reflect the exceptional terroir. Planting of the new vineyards began immediately.
The family sold their original 60 acre mixed vineyard and orchard property and have since built a new winery facility and beautiful tasting room and patio that reflect the nature that surrounds them.
Vineyard
The Makepeace Family Vineyard is an 11.6 acre parcel adjacent to Becks Road between Upper Bench Road and Hwy #3. Over 7.5 acres have already been planted on that site and include mostly bordelaise varietals and viognier. Just east and sitting at a higher elevation is the 2nd property, a 21 acre parcel that will transition from orchards to become Rockside Vineyard. Syrah vines will dominate that site.
Winemaker
Bradley Makepeace was a bartender in some fine dining establishments in Whistler, BC where he discovered his passion for wine. When his parents purchased the property he attended Okanagan College taking viticulture and the assistant winemakers program. He also assisted in a partial crush at Burrowing Owl, as well as helping some Similkameen neighbour winemakers during crush and bottling. See Bradley’s tasting notes below.
2016 Vintage
The crush went well. The fruit was nice and clean. It felt good to not be so rushed as compared to the 2015 harvest. After the early bud break in spring and perfect warmth not exceeding a temperature that vines shut down and protect themselves in summer, the cool fall allowed for flavours to mature gracefully as the grapes got to hang late on the vines which should express itself nicely in the glass and bottle. We are releasing all of the next vintages in the spring this year. We have a single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon which is new to our portfolio. Something we are all excited about with this harvest is that there was a light peppering of Botrytis in the Viognier. We are looking forward to seeing what mother nature has to bring us in 2017!
Bradley Makepeace
The Wines
Hugging Tree Viognier 2014
A crisp and clean delight to the senses. It has a bouquet of citrus, green apple, honey, and hints of apricot. On the palate, you will find notes of pear, apricot, and lemon-lime, with a balanced finish. It is one of Hugging Tree’s most popular wines.
Hugging Tree Telltale 2012
Merlot 48%, Cabernet Sauvignon 33%, Cabernet Franc 19%. To tell the tale of one’s terroir is a winemaker who is interested in his craft’s passion. To have the grapes grown here in the spectacular Similkameen Valley and to use them as my canvas to work with is a blessing beyond measure. Letting the expression of the grapes speak for themselves is both a balancing of every detail at every step, and having the knowledge and patience not to interfere when not necessary. This dynamic wine is my personal favourite with dark stone fruits and tobacco on the bouquet. The palate delights with earthy notes, cherries, and firm tannins. This will cellar well for a couple of years. If you don’t have that patience, let it breathe, and it will sing and express beautifully what our terroir has to offer when given the opportunity.
Hugging Tree Merlot 2016
Lot’s of dark stone fruits on the palate of this Merlot. With minimal oak, the brightness of the fruit shines through. This is the ultimate curl-up-with-a-blanket-and-a-good-book glass of wine. With a bit of breathing time this wine sings!
Toasty aromas of plum, black cherry, vanilla, and peppery notes. On the palate, bright cherry, berry, medium body with firm tannins.
Pair with rib-eye steak, duck with 5 spice, jambalaya, Italian fennel sausage.
For the complete selection of Hugging Tree’s BC wines, please go to the winery website.
Source: Background, photos and tasting notes from the winery website.