When British Columbia’s devastating January 2024 freeze forced many wineries to look beyond provincial borders for fruit, Hester Creek Estate Winery responded with a clear philosophy: source grapes from vineyards that closely mirror the South Okanagan’s climate and terroir while maintaining the winery’s own signature style.
The latest release in Hester Creek’s Columbia Valley Collection, the 2024 Petit Verdot Malbec, is an excellent example of that philosophy. Sourced from Washington’s renowned Red Mountain AVA, this bold yet polished red demonstrates how exceptional vineyard selection and meticulous in-house winemaking can produce a wine that feels entirely at home in the Hester Creek portfolio.
Although the grapes were grown across the border, every step of the winemaking, from hand sorting and fermentation through barrel aging and blending, was carried out at the Oliver winery by Hester Creek’s experienced team.
Rather than attempting to replicate an Okanagan wine, Hester Creek has embraced the distinctive character of Red Mountain fruit while crafting a wine that remains unmistakably Hester Creek in style.
Vineyard & Winemaking
The fruit was sourced from premium vineyard blocks in Washington’s Red Mountain AVA, one of the Columbia Valley’s most respected regions for Bordeaux varieties. The grapes were hand-harvested, transported to Oliver in temperature-controlled trucks, then carefully hand-sorted and destemmed before a two-day cold soak.
The final blend of 67% Petit Verdot and 33% Malbec was co-fermented whole-berry before malolactic fermentation softened the wine’s naturally robust tannins and enhanced its rich texture. The wine was then matured for more than a year in French and American oak, adding further depth and complexity before bottling in February 2026.
Technical Data
- Region: Red Mountain AVA, Columbia Valley
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Residual Sugar: 0.05 g/L
- Titratable Acidity: 3.79 g/L
- pH: 3.79
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby in colour, the Petit Verdot/Malbec blend opens with expressive aromas of violet, blackberry, blueberry, and fresh fig, layered with cedar and graphite. The palate is rich and concentrated without becoming heavy. Firm, youthful tannins provide structure while flavours of ripe blackberry, espresso, dark chocolate and baking spices build across the palate. Notes of white pepper, cinnamon and clove add savoury complexity, while the careful oak aging contributes depth without overwhelming the fruit.
Despite its generous fruit profile and 14.5% alcohol, the wine remains impressively balanced and surprisingly elegant. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, spice and finely knit tannins that suggest this wine will continue to evolve beautifully over the next five to eight years. 91 Points. Drink now through 2032.
Food Pairing
Hester Creek recommends pairing this wine with a marbled AAA Canadian ribeye topped with peppercorn sauce, and it’s hard to argue with that suggestion. I also found it an excellent match for slow-smoked BBQ ribs with cowboy beans, where the wine’s dark fruit and peppery spice complemented the smoky richness beautifully. Grilled lamb chops, smoked brisket and aged cheddar would be equally rewarding partners.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
The 2024 vintage presented unprecedented challenges for British Columbia wineries, yet Hester Creek has shown that thoughtful sourcing, rigorous fruit selection and skilled winemaking can still deliver wines of impressive quality.
The Columbia Valley Collection isn’t intended to replace BC-grown wines. Instead, it reflects the winery’s commitment to continuing its premium portfolio while British Columbia’s vineyards recover from the devastating winter freeze. Judging by the quality in the glass, that commitment has been rewarded with a wine that overdelivers for its price.
Where to Buy
The 2024 Hester Creek Petit Verdot Malbec is available directly from Hester Creek Estate Winery for $29.99.