Four wines from the promising 2025 vintage join the 2022 Old Vine Brut in a collection made for autumn meals and holiday gatherings.
Hester Creek’s latest releases offer an inviting introduction to its 2025 vintage, with Chardonnay, Character Red, Select Vineyards Cabernet Merlot and Select Vineyards Merlot returning the spotlight to Okanagan-grown fruit.
After difficult winter damage affected recent harvests, 2025 brought a welcome recovery. The winery’s fall lineup reflects that renewed optimism, ranging from a creamy, barrel-fermented Chardonnay to three approachable reds.
The tasting opens with a wine from an earlier vintage: the 2022 Old Vine Brut, a traditional-method sparkling wine crafted from Pinot Blanc grown on Hester Creek’s historic Golden Mile Bench estate.
Winemakers Mark Hopley and Brooke Jesus are behind this collection. Here are our tasting impressions of five wines that showcase Hester Creek’s craftsmanship and the welcome return of Okanagan-grown fruit.
Hester Creek Old Vine Brut 2022 ($39.99)
Golden Mile Bench | 100% Pinot Blanc | Traditional Method
The Old Vine Brut offers a sparkling expression of Hester Creek’s historic estate vineyard, using Pinot Blanc to create a blanc de blancs.
Vineyard and Winemaking
The 2022 growing season began slowly, with cool spring temperatures and additional rainfall. Warm conditions extended into September and October, allowing a lengthy ripening season.
The estate-grown Pinot Blanc grapes were hand-sorted and whole-cluster pressed to preserve freshness. Primary fermentation took place in stainless steel, followed by secondary fermentation in bottle using the traditional method.
The wine spent 24 months en tirage before disgorgement in February 2025. A small dosage incorporating 2023 Pinot Blanc completed the wine.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of lemon zest, brioche and a hint of spice. Rich flavours of green apple, ripe pear and freshly baked biscuits, complemented by a lively, persistent mousse and a beautifully rounded mouthfeel. Elegant and well-balanced, with a lingering finish. A Blanc de Blancs Brut that should age gracefully and is perfect for any celebration. 93 Points
Technical: Alcohol 12.0% / RS 2.4 g/L / TA 8.8 g/L / pH 2.90
Food Pairing: Smoked mussels, seafood canapés or Havarti. The winery also suggests roasted red pepper and dill quesadillas.
Harvest 2025: A Productive Return to Okanagan Fruit
Harvest began on August 27 with Gewürztraminer destined for the return of Ti Amo, Hester Creek’s aromatic blend of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Muscat.
A warm late August and mid-September accelerated ripening, compressing harvest timelines across the region. Crucially, cooler nights later in the season helped preserve acidity and balance.
Production was strong, finishing at around 1350 tons, with Chardonnay picked nearly 30 days earlier than in 2022. A dry September ensured excellent fruit integrity and flavour concentration.
The early releases suggest a promising vintage, with ripe fruit flavours, generous texture and the freshness needed to maintain balance.
Hester Creek Chardonnay 2025 ($26.99)
South Okanagan | Barrel Fermented
This Chardonnay blends South Okanagan fruit with barrel fermentation, balancing bright citrus character with a rounded texture.
Vineyard and Winemaking
The grapes were harvested from vineyards across the South Okanagan. The winemaker used a combination of destemming and whole-cluster pressing to build depth and texture.
After cold settling, the winemaker racked the juice and inoculated it directly in barrel. Primary fermentation lasted approximately ten days, followed by three weeks of malolactic fermentation. The wine aged for nine months before racking, cross-blending, filtration and bottling in early July 2026.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of ripe pear, golden apple and lemongrass, with a hint of warm spice. Medium to full-bodied, with flavours of ripe apple and caramel lifted by Meyer lemon. A note of crème brûlée lingers on the finish. 91 Points
Technical: Alcohol 12.4% / RS 2.3 g/L / TA 6.73 g/L / pH 3.51
Food Pairing: Fettuccine carbonara, roasted chicken or creamy butternut squash soup.
Hester Creek Character Red 2025 ($24.99)
South Okanagan | Red Blend
Character Red brings together Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and what Hester Creek calls Italian Merlot. The winery lists the two Merlot selections separately.
Vineyard and Winemaking
The winery hand-harvested the grapes from October 20 to 22. The winery cold-soaked each variety for one day and fermented them separately over 30 days. The wine spent five months with French oak, adding spice and structure while keeping the fruit up front.
Tasting Notes
Lively aromas of blueberry, vanilla and clove. Full-bodied, with rich flavours of black cherry, red cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate. Smooth tannins carry through a long finish. 91 Points
Technical: Alcohol 14.4% / RS 1.1 g/L / TA 6.71 g/L / pH 3.95 / Vegan
Food Pairing: Lasagna, grilled sausages or burgers.
Hester Creek Select Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2025 ($21.99)
South Okanagan | 60% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc leads this blend, with Merlot contributing richness and softness, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and depth.
Vineyard and Winemaking
The team handpicked grapes from Hester Creek’s estate and select South Okanagan vineyards on October 28 and 29. After destemming and a gentle cold soak, each variety was fermented separately. The finished blend was aged for eight months in 75% French and 25% American oak.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of blackcurrant and dark cherry with a hint of toast. Blackberry and plum lead on the palate, with dark chocolate and espresso lingering on the finish. Soft, rounded tannins make this an easy-drinking red. 91 Points
Technical: Alcohol 14.5% / RS 1.2 g/L / TA 6.27 g/L / pH 3.88 / Vegan
Food Pairing: Grilled Greek chicken, rosemary lamb or aged cheddar.
Hester Creek Select Vineyards Merlot 2025 ($21.99)
South Okanagan | 100% Merlot
Vineyard and Winemaking
The Merlot was hand-harvested on October 2 from select South Okanagan vineyards, with an emphasis on Hester Creek’s estate fruit. The grapes were hand-sorted, gently destemmed and cold-soaked in Italian Ganimede tanks. After fermentation and extended skin contact to build structure, the wine was pressed, matured in French oak barrels, and bottled in June 2026.
Tasting Notes
An easy-drinking, medium-bodied and lightly oaked Merlot with inviting aromas of plum and cherry. Soft and round on the palate, with flavours of blackberry, red cherry, ripe plum and chocolate. 90 points
Technical: Alcohol 13.9% / RS 2.0 g/L / TA 7.03 g/L / pH 3.80 / Vegan
Food Pairing: Mushroom pizza, grilled vegetable skewers or roasted root vegetables.
A Collection for the Autumn Table
From the elegant Old Vine Brut to four approachable wines from the promising 2025 harvest, Hester Creek offers something for every autumn gathering and holiday celebration.
More importantly, these releases mark a welcome return to BC VQA wines crafted from Okanagan-grown fruit. After the challenges of recent vintages, that’s something worth celebrating.
Hester Creek Estate Winery
877 Road 8, Oliver, BC
www.hestercreek.com