2021 was a difficult time to grow grapes in British Columbia. The extremely hot summer meant decreased yields again but the fruit quality was high with very ripe, small berries, exploding with flavour. I was really looking forward to tasting the first of the 2021 vintage from Hester Creek.
But first, here are the winemaker’s notes on the 2021 harvest.
2021 Harvest
“The 2021 Harvest should produce some wines of outstanding quality and varietal character. It was one of the warmest and driest growing seasons on record, with the grapes reaching phenolic ripeness earlier than usual. Our harvest began on August 27th with Pinot Gris and for our Ti Amo (Prosecco style sparkling wine).
We started picking our first reds with Merlot in mid-September with our block 10 Merlot on September 14th at our historic Golden Mile Bench estate vineyard. We finished our last estate reds pick of the block 8 Cabernet Sauvignon from our Golden Mile Bench on October 28, 2021.
Overall, it was a lighter crop with exceptional quality. The lighter fruit set was due to a smaller berry size and the skin ratio to juice was intensified. This resulted in plenty of colour, flavour and aromatics in this vintage. We are truly excited to see the finished wines from the 2021 vintage.”
Mark Hopley – Hester Creek Winemaker
The Wines
Hester Creek Pinot Gris Viognier 2021($19.99)
The vintage is a blend of 2/3 Pinot Gris and 1/3 Viognier. The Pinot Gris grapes were hand-picked from the estate vineyard and the vineyard manager’s property in Oliver. The Viognier was sourced from three select vineyards in Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos. The grapes were sorted and whole-berry pressed to preserve the fresh crisp flavours.
There was a long cool ferment for 29 days in stainless steel to preserve the bright character in the final wine. After fermentation, the chosen lots were racked, blended and aged for 3 months prior to bottling.
12.9% Alcohol, pH 3.44 TA 6.0 g/L, RS 8.15 g/L.
A beautifully floral wine, “like taking a walk in a garden of violets and lemon blossom after a spring rain shower”. The off-dry, unoaked white has complex flavours of nectarine, red peach, apricot with a lime zest finish and a mineral backbone. 92 Points
Hester Creek Pinot Gris 2021($17.99)
Following an amazing growing season, the 2021 Pinot Gris was handpicked from select vineyards in the South Okanagan.
The grapes were sorted, destemmed and whole berry pressed, with the resulting juice then cool settled and racked to stainless steel tanks. The lots were cool fermented for an average of 28 days at approximately 13°C. Following the long fermentation to coax out subtle yet vibrant fruit flavours, the wines were blended to best express the farms where they were grown.
12.9% Alcohol, pH 3.27 TA 6.2 g/L, RS 1.53 g/L.
The Foundation Series Pinot Gris has a light floral aroma of honeysuckle and citrus blossoms. The dry and vibrant palate shows lemon and lime zest, Anjou pear, pineapple with a hint of minerality. 90 Points.
A fabulous expression of the Okanagan, pair with fresh BC halibut and golden fruit chutney.
Hester Creek Old Vine Pinot Blanc 2021($17.99)
A wine of remarkable depth, the estate Pinot Blanc originates from Blocks 4 and 9 at the Golden Mile Bench Vineyard. The Old Vine Block 4 is from the original historic planting in 1968, with Block 9 planted in 1997/98 (using Alsace Clone 54).
The grapes were handpicked, carefully sorted, destemmed and berries left whole for pressing. The juice was cold settled and enjoyed a long, cold ferment at 12°C in stainless steel to best preserve the bright aromatics and flavours. Fermentation took 27 days to complete, after which the tanks were racked and blended. A stellar example of this varietal with intense stone fruit and mineral elements, this vintage really demonstrates what old vines and an ideal terroir can achieve in the Okanagan Valley.
12.8% Alcohol, pH 3.35 TA 6.3 g/L, RS 1.42 g/L.
The Foundation Series Old Vine Pinot Blanc exhibits classic light aromas of honeydew melon and green apple. The dry wine has vibrant flavours of green apple and lemon zest, a touch more body than the Pinot Gris and an elegant finish. Another terrific Summer wine. 90 Points.
Enjoy with fresh Qualicum Beach scallops or spot prawn citrus ceviche.
Hester Creek Character White 2021 ($16.99)
The fruit for this fragrant and fresh wine is from some of the first grapes Hester Creek harvested in 2021. The Gewürztraminer comes from the Golden Mile Estate and the vineyard manager’s own vineyard, nearby on Road 8. The Pinot Gris also comes from our Vineyard Manager property, as well as from long-time growers, the Chahal’s, in Oliver. All fruit that comes to the winery is hand-harvested then meticulously sorted. The berries are left intact and whole for pressing, resulting in clean juice. Following racking, the juice was fermented cool in stainless tanks for an average of 28 days, prior to blending.
66% Pinot Gris, 34% Gewürztraminer , 12.7% Alcohol, pH 3.5 TA 5.8 g/L, RS 8.8 g/L.
Another terrific vintage of the Foundation Series Character White. The off-dry white blend has aromas of rose petal, honey, and lychee. The crisp palate shows lychee, passionfruit, pineapple, pear and ripe peach. 90 Points
Enjoy with friends and try with goat cheese baked Fanny Bay oysters or spring onion and Gruyère tart.
Hester Creek Rosé Cabernet Franc 2021($18.99)
Crafted entirely with Oliver area fruit, the Cabernet Franc grapes were handpicked, sorted, and left whole to cold soak for 4 days for ideal colour and flavour extraction. Following skin contact, the lots were pressed, cold settled, and then fermented. On average fermentation lasted 22 days at 13°C. The resulting wines were blended and aged very briefly in stainless steel tanks prior to bottling, for a naturally vibrant and juicy Rosé.
12.9% Alcohol, pH 3.21 TA 6.4 g/L, RS 8.2 g/L.
This is a bold deep ruby coloured Rosé. A vibrant aroma of wild strawberries greets you on opening. A juicy fruit-forward palate of raspberry and strawberry & rhubarb pie makes for a food-friendly wine or a patio sipper. 91 Points.
Pair the full-bodied Rosé with cured meats, medium to strong cheeses, and a warm summer afternoon.
To find out more about the Hester Creek red wines be sure to go to – 5 Excellent Red Wines from Hester Creek and please visit Hester Creek Estate Winery to purchase their current portfolio of BC wines.