Selected Barrels Cabernet Merlot Price: $18.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, online, VQA stores, BCLDB CSPC: 13920 UPC: 626037003021 Harvest Report: Record-setting temperatures on the Golden Mile Bench in the summer of 2013, followed by cool, crisp evenings in the fall resulted in perfect ripeness for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes in this well-structured blend. The use of drip irrigation to put mild water stress on the vines enabled viticulturalists to control vigor and berry size, leading to more concentrated flavours and colour. Winemaking: With grapes of exceptional quality and the goal of a consistent flavour profile, winemaking was kept simple. Lots were fermented separately in Ganimede fermenters for eight to 12 days. Gentle mixing with the cap of skins drew full extraction of flavour, colour and supple tannins, followed by full malolactic fermentation. After careful blending, it was aged for six to eight months in a combination of French and American oak. Tasting Notes: This blend is an easygoing favourite, with structure provided by the Cabernets and ripe, dark fruit flavours added by Merlot. Slightly herbaceous aromas of currant, cinnamon, clove and tobacco lead to a medium-bodied raspberry palate. Pair it perfectly with grilled pork tenderloin, smoked ribs or medium-strong cheeses. Harvest Date: Late October 2013 Bottling Date: August 2014 Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Oak: 50% American, 50% French Production: 2,500 cases Aging: 6 to 8 months Ageability: 3 to 5 years Alc. 13.8% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.77 TA g/l 5.75
Pinot Gris Price: $17.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, online, VQA stores, private liquor stores, restaurants, BCLDB, select private liquor stores in Alberta CSPC: 5600376 UPC: 626037002017 Harvest Report: The 2013 growing season was one of the best on record, with temperatures approximately 8 per cent warmer than the previous warmest year, which was 2009. Combined with a lack of rainfall, these temperatures produced ideal growing conditions for the Pinot Gris vines in the Golden Mile Bench and Black Sage vineyards. Winemaking: Lots from both vineyards receive the same minimal treatment: gentle pneumatic pressing, controlled cool fermentation in stainless steel, early removal from lees, no oak and no malolactic fermentation. Tasting Notes: A great example of Hester Creek s terroir, this wine gets fresh tropical fruit flavours from the east-facing Golden Mile Bench vineyard, and a racy minerality and crisp citrus finish from the limestone soil of the Black Sage vineyard. Enjoy it with rich seafood like scallops or sablefish, or sip it alongside a selection of creamy cheeses. Harvest Date: September 2013 Bottling Date: March 2014 Blend: Pinot Gris Production: 6,000 cases Aging: enjoy it now Alc. 13.8% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.5 TA g/l 6.3
Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com Selected Barrels Merlot Price: $18.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, online, VQA stores, BCLDB CSPC: 677195 UPC: 626990080541 Harvest Report: The 2013 growing season on the Golden Mile Bench was longer and warmer than average, with cooler nights in the fall, allowing grapes to reach their full flavour potential. In the vineyard, the Hester Creek team used precision viticulture which included drip irrigation, leaf removal and shoot positioning to produce excellent fruit with a reduced berry size, and concentration of ripe, dark fruit flavours. Winemaking: Exceptional growing conditions meant the grapes needed very little manipulation in the winery. Fermented separately to extract maximum colour and tannins, the lots underwent a 12-day maceration at 25-28 C, followed by full malolactic fermentation. Blending achieved a delicious representation of the terroir on the Golden Mile Bench, which is then aged for six to eight months in a combination of French and American oak. Tasting Notes: This appealing and approachable Merlot demonstrates how perfectly suited the varietal is to the Golden Mile Bench. Aromas of anise, nutmeg and bright, lifted cherry lead to a palate with flavours of plum and mocha, silky tannins and soft acidity. Pour it alongside a simple stew, a well-marbled rib eye, or braised meats. Harvest Date: Oct. 2013 Bottling Date: August 2014 Blend: Merlot Oak: 50% American, 50% French Production: 1,500 cases Aging: 6 to 8 months Ageability: 2 to 5 years Alc. 13.8% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.77 TA g/l 5.85
Pinot Blanc Price: $16.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, online, VQA stores, private liquor stores, restaurants, BCLDB, Bench Club CSPC: 467316 UPC: 626990057550 Harvest Report: A long, hot summer that continued into the critical ripening months of September and October resulted in one of the best growing seasons on record and an early harvest. Our estate s 18 acres of Pinot Blanc grown on well-drained alluvial soils with a high percentage of organic matter are managed with controlled drip irrigation and precision viticulture, resulting in vibrant and beautifully balanced fruit. Winemaking: In the winery, we keep things simple with a light pneumatic pressing and long cool fermentation that allow the wine to retain balanced acidity and fresh crispness. Tasting Notes: Juicy and crisp, this white wine offers ripe orchard fruit on the nose and a nice, round mid-palate with flavours of peach and apricot. It shines when paired with light foods, summer fare, and seafood. Try it with simple grilled fish or fresh B.C. spot prawns. Harvest Date: October 2013 Bottling Date: February 2014 Blend: Pinot Blanc Production: 4,500 cases Aging: enjoy it now Alc. 13.5% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.43 TA g/l 6.3
Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com Character Red Price: $19.95 (BC) Tier: Character Availability: Winery, online, VQA stores, private liquor stores, restaurants, BCLDB CSPC: 158311 UPC: 626990112228 Harvest Report: Hester Creek s estate vineyards saw record-setting temperatures in the summer and fall of 2013, which resulted in perfect ripeness for the Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Petit Verdot that comprise the Character Red blend. Well-drained alluvial soils and the use of drip irrigation enabled viticulturalists to control vigor and berry size, which provides higher skin-to-pulp ratio resulting in concentrated colour and flavours. Winemaking: Ideal weather conditions throughout the growing season and in the critical months of September and October meant the grapes needed minimal manipulation in the winery. Fermented separately to extract colour and ripe tannins, the lots underwent a 12day maceration at 25-28 C, followed by full malolactic fermentation. Blending achieved a delicious representation of the terroir on the Golden Mile Bench, which was then aged for six to eight months in a combination of French and American oak. Tasting Notes: A favourite with B.C. wine lovers, the Character Red blend is unique to Hester Creek. It includes a Northern Italian Merlot clone grown on our estate since 1968 that lends it an earthy softness. On the nose, the wine offers lifted floral, plum and leather, followed by flavours of dark fruit, violet and white pepper. The Character Red is a perfect pairing for a braised meat dish like classic Ossobuco, or serve it alongside strong cheeses. It s also a great match for warm winter foods with a hint of spice think cinnamon and clove. Harvest Date: Late October 2013 Bottling Date: July 2014 Blend: Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot Oak: 50% American, 50% French Production: 3,400 cases Aging: 6 to 8 months Ageability: 2 to 5 years. Alc. 13.8% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.88 TA g/l 5.7
Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com Character White Price: $17.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, private liquor stores, restaurants, BCLDB, Bench Club CSPC: 158147 UPC: 626990112211 Harvest Report: The estate grapes that create this blend are grown on well-drained alluvial soils with a high percentage of organic matter. For the 2013 vintage, Gewurztraminer was added to the blend of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Trebbiano and Semillon; all six varietals achieved full ripeness thanks to one of the warmest growing seasons on record, coupled with an early harvest. Controlled drip irrigation and precision viticulture resulted in vibrant and beautifully balanced fruit. Winemaking: Our six grape varieties were fermented separately, but with the same process: gentle pneumatic pressing and controlled temperature fermentation in stainless steel with no oak contact. These winemaking techniques allow the purity of the fruit to shine. Tasting Notes: Produced from 100 per cent estate-grown grapes, our Character White is a perfect representation of the Hester Creek Estate terroir. It opens with lifted aromatics of lush orchard fruit thanks to the addition of Gewurztraminer, followed by juicy tropical and citrus flavours on the mouth-watering palate. Enjoy it with freshshucked oysters, spicy wok-fried calamari or sweet and sour chicken. Harvest Date: October 2013 Bottling Date: June 2014 Blend: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Trebbiano, Semillon, Gewurztraminer Production: 2,100 cases Ageability: 1 to 3 years Alc. 13.2% RS g/l < 10.0 ph 3.3 TA g/l 6.2
Late Harvest Pinot Blanc Price: $17.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, Bench Club, private liquor stores, restaurants, BCLDB, VQA stores CSPC: 438622 UPC: 626990050032 Harvest Report: Thanks to one of the warmest summers on record followed by a long-lingering fall, the Pinot Blanc grapes used in our 2013 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc achieved perfect ripeness early. Precision viticulture helped in the development of rich, concentrated flavours until the fruit s winter harvest. Winemaking: As one of the only late harvest Pinot Blanc wines in the Okanagan Valley, it gets special treatment in the winery. Grapes are whole-cluster pressed, producing a rich nectar. A long, slow fermentation with selected yeasts aids in retaining vibrant fruit characters while adding complexity. Tasting Notes: This honeyed late harvest offers flavours of juicy orchard fruits like peaches and nectarines balanced with refreshing acidity. Serve it before dinner with a selection of medium-strong cheeses, or have it with dessert it pairs perfectly with a fruit flan, cobbler or try broiled peaches served with mascarpone cream. Harvest Date: November 2013 Bottling Date: May 2014 Brix at harvest: 30 Blend: Pinot Blanc Production: 828 cases Ageability: 1 to 3 years Alc. 11.2% RS g/l < 76 ph 3.52 TA g/l 7.0
Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com Chardonnay Price: $24.95 (BC) Availability: Winery, Bench Club, Select Restaurants CSPC: 467258 UPC: 626037001096 Harvest Report: A record-breaking summer with heat that continued well into the fall was tempered in the vineyard with controlled drip irrigation and precision viticulture. To maximize ripeness, flavour and quality, the vineyard team reduced the crop by 50%. The result was ripe, rich Chardonnay clusters, harvested by hand. Winemaking: After hand-harvesting and gentle pneumatic pressing, this 100% estate-grown Chardonnay was fermented on specially selected yeasts before undergoing full malolactic fermentation. Selected small lots were then placed sur lie in 75% French and 25% American oak before being bottled in August of 2014. Tasting Notes: The second vintage of Hester Creek s oak-aged Chardonnay is an elegant, beautifully textured wine that offers aromas of honey, citrus and a hint of smoke. Big, rich mouthfeel opens into bright citrus flavours framed by caramel and buttery notes. This foodfriendly stunner pairs perfectly with creamy pasta dishes or with west coast seafood such as sablefish. Take it up a notch by adding smoked tomatoes to the food pairing. This is a true expression of Chardonnay from the Golden Mile Bench. Harvest Date: October 2013 Bottling Date: August 2014 Blend: Chardonnay Production: 550 cases Ageability: enjoy it now or age for 2-5 years Alc. 14.2% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.78 TA g/l 6.3
Rosé Cabernet Franc Price: $19.95 (BC) Availability: Winery only, Bench Club CSPC: 776500 UPC: 626990160793 Harvest Report: The Cabernet Franc grapes used for the 2013 Rosé from some of the oldest vines on the Hester Creek estate ripened in the warmest temperatures of the last decade. Combined with a lack of rainfall, it amounted to ideal growing conditions on the Golden Mile Bench. Controlled drip irrigation and selective canopy management resulted in vibrant and beautifully balanced fruit. Winemaking: The spectacular rose hue and berry flavours of this wine are gently extracted with a 12-hour maceration on the skins. An eight- to 10-day cool ferment with carefully selected yeast strains, as well as arrested fermentation, allow this wine to showcase its fruitforward character. Tasting Notes: Fresh aromas of strawberry and rhubarb are followed by a palate loaded with bright berry flavours, crisp acidity, and a hint of white pepper on the finish. Drink it cold on a hot day, or sip it alongside a plate of charcuterie and medium to strong cheeses. Harvest Date: October 2013 Bottling Date: March 2014 Blend: Cabernet Franc Production: 1,000 cases Aging: enjoy it now Alc. 13.5% RS g/l < 12.0 ph 3.48 TA g/l 6.3
Old VinesTrebbiano Block 16 Price: $22.95 (BC) Availability: Winery only, Bench Club, select restaurants CSPC: 54031 UPC: 626990125341 Harvest Report: Canada s only Trebbiano was imported to the Golden Mile Bench from Italy more than 40 years ago to find root in what is now Hester Creek s Block 16. In 2013, ripening took place in above-average temperature conditions that continued well into fall. One of the best growing seasons on record, it culminated in an early harvest of beautifully ripe and balanced fruit. Winemaking: Minimal intervention in the winery gets the best expression of character from these gnarled old vines. After de-stemming, half the berries are lightly crushed and the other half left intact in order to strike the right balance between flavour and structure. Carefully selected yeasts and a cool ferment result in a bright, well-balanced wine. Tasting Notes: This juicy, slightly off-dry white is a perfect patio wine. Honeyed citrus and passion fruit on the nose are followed by grapefruit and tropical fruit flavours with a hint of minerality and vibrant acidity. Pair this only-in-b.c. bottle with slightly spicy Asian fare, tangy cheeses, or a crisp tossed salad. Harvest Date: October 2013 Bottling Date: March 2014 Blend: Trebbiano Production: 1,000 cases Aging: enjoy it now Alc. 13.2% RS g/l < 9.5 ph 3.38 TA g/l 6.9
Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com Reserve Merlot Block 2 Vintage: 2012 Price: $28.95 (BC) Tier: Block Series Availability: Winery, Bench Club, VQA stores, private liquor stores, BCLDB CSPC: 77347 UPC: 12860370012 Harvest Report: Planted in the early 1970s, the Merlot vines in Block 2 are some of the oldest in the Okanagan Valley. Hester Creek viticulturalists work closely with the winemaking team to ensure they produce beautiful, intensely flavoured grapes year after year. In 2012, a warm, dry summer followed by cool nights in the fall resulted in fruit with reduced berry size and an excellent concentration of rich, dark fruit flavours. Winemaking: In the winery, the best lots of Merlot are fermented separately in Italian Ganimede fermenters. The fruit undergoes a long, slow maceration to extract ripe flavours and tannins as well as malolactic fermentation before oak aging. The flavour profile is layered by patient aging for 12 to 16 months in a blend of 75 per cent French and 25 per cent American oak. After aging, the best lots are selected to create a wine that is as unique as the vineyard block it came from. Tasting Notes: This medium-bodied, 100 per cent Merlot is a balanced and beautifully integrated example of how well-suited the varietal is to the Golden Mile Bench. Enjoy it now, or cellar it for five to seven years. It opens with aromas of vanilla, plum, coffee bean and sagebrush, leading to flavours of cassis and dark fruit on the finish, all supported by firm, silky tannins. It s a perfect match for a well-marbled rib eye steak, or with smoked barbecue ribs. Harvest Date: October 2012 Bottling Date: June 2014 Blend: 100% Merlot Oak: 75% French, 25% American Aging: 12 to 16 months Production: 800 cases Ageability: 5-7 years Alc. 14.2% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.63 TA g/l 6.1
Reserve Cabernet Franc Block 3 Vintage: 2012 Price: $28.95 (BC) Tier: Block Series Availability: Winery only, Bench Club, Select Licencees CSPC: 467332 UPC: 626037001157 Harvest Report: Drier and warmer than average, the 2012 growing season was ideal for ripening the Block 3 Cabernet Franc, some of the oldest plantings on our estate. Well-draining alluvial soils and drip irrigation put mild water stress on the vines, leading to increased intensity of flavours and colour. Winemaking: Fruit from Hester Creek s oldest Cabernet Franc vines was selected for this wine, and put through a 15-day maceration period. Malolactic fermentation finished in the tank before the wine was transferred to a combination of French and American oak for an average of 12 to 16 months. Final blends were unfined and minimally filtered before bottling. Tasting Notes: This single-varietal Cabernet Franc begins with complex aromas of cherry, raspberry and toasty vanilla, followed by vibrant flavours of cherry and bramble fruits with a lingering finish of spice and chocolate. It has weight and intensity that will allow it to age for several years, and an uplifting acidity that make it a perfect match for seared duck breast with a raspberry jus, or with lighter flavored game meats. Harvest Date: Late October 2012 Bottling Date: July 2014 Blend: Cabernet Franc Oak: 25% American, 75% French Production: 1400 cases Aging: 12 to 16 months Alc. 13.9% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.82 TA g/l 6.1
The Judge Vintage: 2011 Price 750ml: $45.00 (BC) Price 1.5 L: $125, in a wooden box (BC) Availability 750ml: Winery only, Bench Club Availability 1.5 L: Winery only CSPC 750ml: 133124 1.5 L 65714 UPC 750ml: 626990112235 1.5 L 626990132967 Harvest Report: Although the 2011 growing season was cooler and damper than average, a spectacular fall of chart-topping temperatures meant the Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from some of the oldest vines on the estate ripened to an ideal balance of fruit, acidity and tannins. Crop thinning, select leaf removal, and shoot thinning exposed berries to sunshine, softened tannins, and helped develop beautifully complex and mature fruit flavours. Winemaking: This is the fifth vintage for The Judge, and with experience comes excellence. Each grape variety was macerated and fermented separately in Italian Ganimede fermenters. Malolactic fermentation was allowed to finish in the tanks before each was oak-aged. After 14 months, the best lots were chosen, blended and put back into oak for an additional 12 months, allowing the components to marry for a perfectly integrated wine. Tasting Notes: This big, ripe wine offers smoky aromas of fig, plum and leather followed by generous flavours of coffee, chocolate, and blackberry in the mid-palate, all finishing with long, silky tannins. The Judge is approachable in its youth but made to age for five to eight years. Pour it alongside a plate of medium to strong cheeses, or pair it perfectly with a well-marbled ribeye or duck confit. Harvest Date: October 2011 Bottling Date: April 2014 Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc Oak: 25% American, 75% French Production: limited release Ageability: 5-8 years Alc. 14.3% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.82 TA g/l 6.3
Cabernet Merlot OKANAGAN VALLEY Price: $44.95 (BC) Availability: Private Liquor Stores and select restaurants CSPC: 485672 UPC: 626990160786 Viticulture: The vines for this classic Bordeaux-style blend undergo select leaf removal, which exposes the grape bunches to sunshine, softening tannins and increasing the development of more complex and mature fruit flavours. Winemaking: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot is combined before aging to ensure full integration of flavours, it s rounded by full malolactic fermentation and aged to perfection in an equal split of American and French oak. Tasting Notes: Loaded with plum, currant and spicy notes, this fresh and lively red wine is ready for drinking upon release, but is also age-worthy. It achieves balance with contrasting components: the Cabernets bring tannins that give structure and body, the Merlot brings juicy fruit, and it s all supported by a judicious touch of oak. Enjoy with grilled sirloin steak, fall-off-the-bone ribs, or with a burger. QUICK NOTES: Black currant, plum, spicy flavours Sirloin steak, ribs, burgers WINEMAKER SPECS: Harvest Date: October-November 2012 Production: 1,5000 cases Ageability: 1 to 3 years Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Alc. 13.4% RS g/l < 5.0 ph 3.86 TA g/l 5.9 Alc.: alcohol RS: residual sugar TA: total acidity Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com
Pinot Gris OKANAGAN VALLEY Price: $44.95 (BC) Availability: Private Liquor Stores and select restaurants CSPC: 485672 UPC: 626990160786 Viticulture: This refreshing wine is the product of two vineyards combined. Fruit from our Estate Vineyard on the east-facing Golden Mile Bench provides fresh floral, apple, and pear flavours, while the limestone soil in the west-facing Black Sage Vineyard gives the wine a mineral backbone and crisp lemon finish. Winemaking: Both lots receive the same minimal treatment: gentle pneumatic pressing, controlled cool fermentation in stainless steel, early removal from lees, no oak, and no malolactic fermentation. Tasting Notes: Grown on both the east and west South Okanagan benches, this Pinot Gris offers a great example of our terroir. Tree fruit aromas and lively, crisp acidity combine with a distinctive minerality in this consistently delicious wine. Try this refreshing white with grilled salmon flavoured with lemon and dill, seared scallops with peas, or asparagus risotto. QUICK NOTES: Apple, citrus, passion fruit, mineral, grapefruit Asian foods, lightly spiced dishes, rich creamy cheeses WINEMAKER SPECS: Harvest Date: October 24, 2012 Production: 1,500 cases Ageability: 1 to 3 years Blend: Pinot Gris Alc. 13.8 RS g/l < 8.5 ph 3.60 TA g/l 7.2 Alc.: alcohol RS: residual sugar TA: total acidity Hester Creek Estate Winery PO Box 1605, Oliver, British Columbia 1.866.498.4435 info@hestercreek.com www.hestercreek.com