We were fortunate to visit the Hester Creek Estate Winery in the early spring and stay at the Villas and dine at the Terrafina restaurant. Just the perfect location to relax and kick back in the centre of Okanagan Wine Country.
The Vineyard
More than fifty years ago, Hester Creek’s vines were planted on the property by Italian immigrant Joe Busnardo with varietals that he enjoyed in northern Italy. The perfect location for European vinifera grapes. The site is just south of Oliver on a sun-drenched, bench with sloping hills that extend the growing season. Over 80 classic European vinifera grapes were planted on the then 76-acre property.
Several of those original varietals have thrived over the past half-century with the Pinot Blanc, Trebbiano, “Italian Merlot” and Cabernet Franc flourishing on Hester Creek’s estate. These old vines have an intensity and certain elegance about them, that cannot be reproduced and bring a sense of old-world Italy to the vineyard.
There were additional plantings in the early 1970s. Merlot in Block 2 and Pinot Blanc in Blocks 4 and 9 of the vineyard. This has since been followed by plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Sémillon, and Syrah. The estate now comprises 115 acres.
The Winemaker – Mark Hopley
Mark Hopley is a rare breed: an Okanagan local. Mark grew up in the Okanagan and has been interested in the craft for as long as he can remember. After studying winemaking and viticulture at Okanagan College, Mark worked at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, at Kraze Legz winery in Kaleden, then as Assistant winemaker at Road 13 in Oliver. He started at Hester Creek in January 2013, where he’s thrilled to have access to an incredible vineyard, cutting-edge equipment and a state-of-the-art cellar. Mark aims to make wines that are fruit-driven with soft tannins and integrated oak ― wines that can be laid down but also enjoyed now. He lives in Penticton with his wife Sue and twin daughters, Emma and Nicola.
2020 Harvest
The 2020 harvest should make for some exceptional quality wines. We had a very warm September, which saw the white varieties on our Golden Mile Bench vineyard ripen relatively early. The harvest lasted two months, starting with Gewürztraminer on September 3 for our Prosecco style sparkling wine, Ti Amo. This was followed shortly thereafter with our Old Vines Pinot Blanc, which was first planted on our estate in 1968. The white varietals overall show plenty of flavours and ample acidity.
On the red side, we were pleased to see the warm September continue into early October, which enabled ample Brix levels in the fruit for ideal ripening and plenty of flavour development. The lack of rain this summer definitely showed in the fruit, offering rich colours and concentrated flavours.
We were somewhat surprised by an early snow event on October 23rd, fortunately, most wines were fermenting by this point. The cool weather that followed, made picking a challenge. However, our vineyard crews were up to the task, as we completed the harvest with some exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon on November 2.
Overall the 2020 growing season in the Oliver Osoyoos region was the 5th warmest in the last 23 years. Our impressions of this favourable growing season are concentrated flavours, ample acidity, and plentiful colour, which we believe will make for an exceptional vintage.
Mark Hopley
Villas at Hester Creek
Six Mediterranean-style suites provide elegant accommodation high on the hill with unsurpassed vineyard and orchard views.
We were fortunate to spend two marvellous nights at the Villas in late March. What impresses you first about the Villas is driving through the Hester Creek vineyards to reach your destination.
The accommodation is luxurious with an expansive view of the Oliver landscape from high on the golden mile. For other Oliver wineries with accommodation see – Vacation Planning? BC Winery Accommodation.
We really enjoyed a Hester Creek Merlot in front of the fireplace and the fabulous room service breakfasts delivered each morning. Here is a collage from our visit.
Terrafina Restaurant
Meaning “from the earth”, Terrafina is a gorgeous Tuscan Style restaurant nestled among the vines of Hester Creek Estate Winery.
The Chef
Adair Scott is the restaurant Chef. He grew up on the family farm in Prince George, where he developed an enduring passion for locally sourced food, learning at an early age how to raise livestock and tend a large garden. His culinary career also began young, working as a teenager at a nearby restaurant that started a lifelong attraction to the industry. After completing his Red Seal and stints at the Harvest Golf Club and Local Lounge & Grille in the Okanagan, he ventured Down Under to work in kitchens across Australia. The highlight was as Chef de Partie at Australia’s landmark restaurant Stokehouse, famed for their “beach luxe” dining and seafood.
Landing back in the Okanagan he joined Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos as Executive Chef for 7 years. At Terrafina, Adair brings his love of local fare and considerable network of family farms and artisan suppliers to our modern take on Tuscan inspired cuisine.
The Meal
We had an excellent meal at Terrafina. Service by Tom Swope and his team was also first class.
We started the evening with the Chicken Liver Pâté. I had the delicious Risotto with red Argentinian prawns, garden herbs and arugula purée. Judy selected the lasagne with a mushroom salad. The meal was paired with Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Franc.
The Wines
Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Franc 2018 (Sold Out Online)
Made exclusively with premium fruit from Block 3 of the historic 1968 vineyard. The grapes were hand-harvested, then destemmed and whole-berry pressed to ferment in our Ganimede Italian fermenters. These unique tanks gently extract colour, tannin and aromatics. The resulting wine is pressed, the juice fractions are separated, and only the best lots are chosen. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for 18 months in predominately French oak barrels and then aged in our cellar. A Cabernet Franc of remarkable character that is a gorgeous representation of the Golden Mile Bench.
Mark Hopley, Winemaker
14.5% Alcohol, pH 3.9 TA 5.85 g/L, RS 3.0 g/L.
A medium garnet colour. Aromas of raspberry, green bell pepper and tobacco. The medium-bodied wine has flavours of fresh raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, cinnamon and a light peppery, toastiness. Beautiful structure with high acidity and lasting elegance. 93 Points
For other Top 10 best value BC Cabernet Franc please see – Top 10 Best Value BC Cabernet Franc
Hester Creek Block 2 Reserve Merlot 2018 (Sold Out Online)
The grapes for this vintage were hand-harvested from Block 2 on the Golden Mile Bench estate vineyard. The Block is almost 25 years old, planted with vines that are Pomerol clone 181 and clone 184. The fruit was destemmed and left whole to gently ferment in our Italian Ganimede fermenters. After the desired aromas, colour and flavour extraction, we pressed and then encouraged malolactic fermentation. Aged 16 months in oak (75% French, 25% American), the wine shows a harmonious integration of the fruit and oak.
Mark Hopley, Winemaker
14.6% Alcohol, pH 3.9 TA 5.7 g/L, RS 2.6 g/L.
The wine is intense and powerful. It begins with spicy black cherry and black currant aromas. On the palate, there are flavours of red plum, black cherry, dark chocolate and baking spices. Smooth now but will improve with age. 92 points.
Note: Both these wines are now sold out online. They are still available in the Hester Creek wine shop and in select retail stores and restaurants in BC.
To see the complete portfolio of wines, please visit the Hester Creek website.