Hester Creek

April 3rd 2021 – New Releases from Michael Bartier (Bartier Bros) and Mark Hopley (Hester Creek)

hello

THE SHOW

New Releases from Michael Bartier (Bartier Bros) and Mark Hopley (Hester Creek)

 It’s that time of year.

Spring brings new releases from all the wineries.

Michael Bartier  – Winemaker  (and co-founder) at  Bartier Brothers (Black Sage Road)

Bartier-Brothers

2019 Rose –  (Now) $17.99

2019 – Grenache Syrah Mourvedre (April) $41.99

2019  Merlot –  (May) $22.99

2019 – Orchard Row (June) $36.99

 “Less is More“

 That’s Michael Bartier’s winemaking philosophy. No big over oaked glob in the glass.

Lean and sharply defined. Flinty. Minerality.

 

The Rose is a smash hit. A blend of Merlot, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.

Strawberry, melon and floral notes.  A clean beauty in the mouth. And best of all,  affordable.

The GSM  is tough to grow and blend. Thus the price tag. But what a payoff.  It stays with you long after you finish.

The Merlot is one of the very best in Canada. Blueberry, cherry on the nose. Flint, wet stone follows. Very affordable. Highly Recommended.

The Orchard Row is quite a story. Its basically a long row of plantings left over from other vines. Like a hedge you can drink.

It’s a field blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Gamay and Pinot Noir. All from the same row.

It was the Bartier house wine until friends convinced them to share.

Its fantastic.

Just like the winemaker.

NOTE – Michael takes us through the partnership he’s formed with one of France’s most influential wineries – Boutinot.

The wine Michael makes for them is called Boutinot – Project B.  A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

 

Bartier Bros Tasting Room now open.  Daily 11am to 5PM

 

www.bartierbros.com

 

 

Mark Hopley – Winemaker at Hester Creek (Golden Mile)

 

Hester Creek is celebrating over 50 years of winemaking.  Those years started with the original owner/winemaker Joe Busnardo.

Mark Hopley – Hester Creek

In 1968, BC wine pioneer Joe Busnardo came upon an excellent property sheltered below the rugged desert bluffs of what is now known as the Golden Mile Bench.  Joe recognized the potential for growing superior vinifera grapes on this unique land.

Today, a total of 115 acres comprise the Hester Creek  estate, which is planted with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Italian Merlot, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sémillon, Syrah, and Trebbiano on 22 vineyard blocks.

 

All that wine history allows  all of to us celebrate the release of the….

2020 Hester Creek Trebbiano.  52 year old gnarly vines that deliver absolutely classic flavours. Do yourself a favour. FIND THIS WINE.

Apple, Melon and topical fruit on the nose and clean citrus, honey and minerality in the mouth. $22.99 plus tax

Thank you Hester Creek.  Thank you Mark. Thank you Joe.

2020_Trebbiano

2020 Hester Creek Pinot Gris-Viognier.  (2/3 Pinot Gris .1/3 Viognier)

Hand picked and pressed. Stainless steel retains the complexity and flavours we’ve come to love.

On the nose,  peach, clover.  In the mouth peach and honey and minerality. $16.99 plus tax.

This is a Save On Foods special. Also available at winery.

2020 P Gris. Viognier

Hester Creek is now welcoming guests at Terrafina Restaurant for patio service and take-out from 12:30-4pm, Wednesday-Sunday.   Check out the Hester Creek Website for special events.

 

Wine release dinners

Rose/Trebbiano April 3  – sold out

Bubble evening  May 13/14. Ti Amo and Old Vine Brut

The Judge – July 8 Summer Dinner.

 

Mark also looks ahead to future releases this Spring and Summer..

Ti Amo,  Old Vine Brut and The Judge.

 

www.hestercreek.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

April is BC Wine Month

Valleys of Wines

New Spring Releases

Eat Local. Checking in with the restaurants

 

 

 

August 8th, 2020 – ZOOM  visits to HILLSIDE and HESTER CREEK  

hello

ZOOM  visits to HILLSIDE and HESTER CREEK   

THE SHOW

 

THIS WEEK two of the leading wineries in BC.

One of the originals on the Naramata Bench and one of the leaders on The Golden Mile and  home of “The Judge.”

This week we spotlight Hillside Winery and Hester Creek Estate Winery!

 

Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside Winery (Naramata Bench)

Kathy Malone

In the early 1900s, this site was an apricot orchard.

In 1979, the property was purchased by Bohumir and Vera Klokocka who had recently immigrated to the Okanagan Valley from Czechoslovakia. In 1984 she and Bohumir pulled out the apricot trees and planted 3.5 acres of vineyards. The grapevines thrived in the gravelly soil and warm Okanagan sunshine and Vera’s dream took shape.

In 1989 Hillside, together with Lang Vineyards and Wild Goose, lobbied the Provincial Government to bring about the Farmgate Winery Policy that was instrumental in changing the B.C. Wine Industry.

 

Since  Kathy moved from Mission Hill to Hillside she has lead the winery to walls of awards and became the voice and face of the Naramata Bench Wineries.

The Hillside portfolio is a testament to Kathy’s skill and passion.

100% of Hillside wines are Naramata raised and grown.

Alert – some wines are marked either above or below the road or below the road. The road being the shoreline of the lake 1000’s of years ago.

2019 Unoaked Pinot Gris (Hillside series. Heritage PG) Splendid!

2018 Viognier (Heritage series)  White Texture

2017 Reserve Malbec.  (A first – the label says Naramata Bench Sub-GI)

Then comes three merlots which are part of their single vineyard program (also includes Cab and Gamay Noir)

2013 Gjoa’s Vineyard Merlot   (Joe-ah) A true beauty.  Below the road.

2014 Hidden Valley Merlot. Bowl-shaped vineyard behind the winery.

Elegant Balance. Above the road

2015 Dickinson Vineyard Merlot. On a bluff overlooking the lake. Below the road.  It’s a classic.

www.hillsidewinery.ca

https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/Bistro

Hester Creek Estate Winery

Chef Adair Scott – Terrafina Restaurant

Winemaker Mark Hopley

 

Hester Creek on The Golden Mile. Kind of rolls off the tongue, right?

Hester Creek Estate has been growing and releasing wines for 50 years.

In 2018, they marked the 50th anniversary of their estate vineyards. As one of the oldest wine properties in the South Okanagan, they are graced with historic vineyards and a modern winery.

None of it would have been possible without the stubborn farming passion of original owner/winemaker Joe Busnardo. His original planting of Trebbiano is still bringing smiles to wine fans.

Joe sold and moved on to  Divino in the Cowichan Valley.

Hester Creek went on to become one of the finest wineries in Canada.

Our Zoom guests are Winemaker Marl Hopley and for the food pairings Terrafina chef Adair Scott.

We talk about two new releases.

2019 Character White – The Pinot Gris has stone fruit on the nose. The palate is treated to honey, melons, papaya, and pear. $16.00

2017 Judge. 

Equal parts Cab Franc, Cab, and Merlot. Also equal parts DeLish.$43.99

Your nose will love the anise, black fruit, and cherry.

Followed by tastes of plum, fig, and dark chocolate.

What a great wine.

Every year it surprises and seduces.

This, my friends is an icon wine..let this beauty rest for a couple of years..like 5-8-10 years. The wait is well worth it.

Given that we’re only talking about two wines and because I had the winemaker and the chef handy I decided to pair foods with wine.  And then wines with food. This includes a speed round. Like a game show.

Great fun.

www.hestercreek.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Sandra Oldfield presents  The Women of Wine.

Jeff Hundertmark  – Winemaker @ Mount Boucherie, Modern Wines. Rust Wine Co

A Zoom gathering with Yalumba

Noble Ridge

Creek and Gully Cider

 

 

 

September 28th 2013

hello

Tasting Room Radio B_BANNER2


The Wine Diva visits Painted Rock and hands us 6 wines to watch
Makini Howell. The vegan queen of Seattle
Hester Creek rocks the Golden Mile
Susane Balbo
Hester Creek Two
 

[divider]

The Show

The Wine Diva has two stories this week.
wn
First is about the remarkable destination known as Painted Rock.
Painted Rock
Combining award winning wines and a profile that strides across the
landscape with ease.
John Skinner opens his winery and BOOM..he’s holding two Lieutenant Govern
awards.

john Skinner

john Skinner


Talk about making your presence felt.
Finally after two years of planning John has opened his new tasting room and
event center just South of Penticton, overlooking Skaha Lake.
If you can’t get there not to worry.
Daenna van Mulligan – The Wine Diva – will take us through the two wines
they poured at their opening.
Chardonnay and Syrah!
The Daenna has a half a dozen wines she’s been reviewing and we pass those
on to you. Enjoy!

  • Upper Bench Estate Winery Merlot
  • Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Summit Reserve Blaufrankish
  • J.G. Carrion Cristallino “Jaume Serra” Brut Nature Reserva Cava
  • Bodegas Ateca ‘Garnacha de Fuego
  • Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc~Semillon
  • TIME Estate Winery White Meritage

[divider]
Makini Howell 
Makini Howell at Plum
www.plumbistro.com Plum Bistro,
Seattle’s wildly popular vegan restaurant, is known for its delicious and
innovative vegan recipes using local ingredients. Now there a cookbook to go
with the restaurants. Sure to please both vegans and meat-eaters, Plum:
Gratifying Vegan Dishes features Plum’s flavorful, comforting dishes for
brunch, soups, salads, entrées, desserts, and more. Makini Howell’s book
features 60 recipes, including Pesto Plum Pizza, Good Old-Fashioned French
Toast, Barbecue Oyster-Mushroom Sliders, Fresh Blueberry Shortcake, homemade vegan pasta, and more.
Plum.  The Book
Makini Howell has been passionate about creating a chic dining experience
that appeals to vegans, foodies, and omnivores alike since her days of
living in New York City. In 2005 she moved back home to Seattle with the
goals of redirecting her family’s restaurant business and creating a new
perception of veganism. Makini is focused on using organic and non-GMO
seasonal produce and herbs from family-owned farms in combinations that are
both comforting and unexpected. As an entrepreneur she has developed a
sustainable business model using what the earth provides to supply
wholesome, nourishing food.
Couldn’t wait to ask Makini why many vegans are opinionated and such a pain.
She agreed.
[divider]
Hester Creek  
Hailing from the Niagara region, it seems natural that Rob Summers figures
large in the Canadian wine industry After acquiring an Honours Degree in
Food Science (BSc, Hons) from the University of Guelph he worked at
Hillebrand Estates, Henry of Pelham, Cave Spring Cellars, and Peller
Estates. While at Peller, Rob directed VQA winemaking for two vintages in
the Okanagan where he saw the vast potential that the south Okanagan Valley
held, and was inspired to relocate his family to Osoyoos He joined the team
at Hester Creek Estate Winery in 2006 and his signature winemaking style has
since gained accolades from his fellow winemakers and seasoned wine experts
alike.
Rob Summers and Mark Sheridan   Hester Creek
Born and raised in the Barossa Valley in Australia, and after earning a
Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Adelaide University, Mark Sheridan went
on to work for some of Australia’s largest wine producers. Mark was
attracted to BC, as he saw the Okanagan as the world’s next wine frontier,
so in 1999, he moved to Canada to be director of vineyard operations for
Vincor Canada. He was recognized for his talents and called “a rising star
in a young industry”.
Now, as Hester Creek’s general manager, Mark oversees all aspects of the
winery’s business, from viticulture through to the finished wines and then
into the marketplace
While tasting and talking about their new Fall releases we also talked about
wine shipping laws, the growing season and The Okanagan today.
[divider]
Susana Balbo
Susana Balbo  Argentina
In a country dominated by male winemakers, Susana Balbo stands out not only
for her gender, but for her incredible skill and experience. She has been
making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and she has
probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in
Argentina. Susana was the first Argentine winemaker to be hired as a
consultant to make wine outside of Argentina. She has made wine in
Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, and
she spends a month each year in a different wine region of the world
studying with local winemakers and growers. After twenty years of producing wines for others, Susana decided it was time
to apply her education and experience to her own wines and put her name right on the bottle.
Susana strives for balance in her wines, with layers of complexity coming from the individually fermented varietals. She wants
people who drink her wines to feel that every sip from the glass is as
exciting as the first.
www.dominiodelplata.com.ar
[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The 62 Annual Niagara Food and Wine festival
Bob McGown
Ron Power
Nicolette Novak
Charlie Pilliterri

September 25th 2013

hello

Tasting Room Radio AB_BANNER


The Wine Diva visits Painted Rock and hands us 6 wines to watch
Makini Howell. The vegan queen of Seattle
Hester Creek rocks the Golden Mile
Susane Balbo
Hester Creek Two
 
 

[divider]

The Show

The Wine Diva has two stories this week.
wn
First is about the remarkable destination known as Painted Rock.
Painted Rock
Combining award winning wines and a profile that strides across the
landscape with ease.
John Skinner opens his winery and BOOM..he’s holding two Lieutenant Govern
awards.

john Skinner

john Skinner


Talk about making your presence felt.
Finally after two years of planning John has opened his new tasting room and
event center just South of Penticton, overlooking Skaha Lake.
If you can’t get there not to worry.
Daenna van Mulligan – The Wine Diva – will take us through the two wines
they poured at their opening.
Chardonnay and Syrah!
The Daenna has a half a dozen wines she’s been reviewing and we pass those
on to you. Enjoy!

  • Upper Bench Estate Winery Merlot
  • Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Summit Reserve Blaufrankish
  • J.G. Carrion Cristallino “Jaume Serra” Brut Nature Reserva Cava
  • Bodegas Ateca ‘Garnacha de Fuego
  • Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc~Semillon
  • TIME Estate Winery White Meritage

[divider]
Makini Howell 
Makini Howell at Plum
www.plumbistro.com Plum Bistro,
Seattle’s wildly popular vegan restaurant, is known for its delicious and
innovative vegan recipes using local ingredients. Now there a cookbook to go
with the restaurants. Sure to please both vegans and meat-eaters, Plum:
Gratifying Vegan Dishes features Plum’s flavorful, comforting dishes for
brunch, soups, salads, entrées, desserts, and more. Makini Howell’s book
features 60 recipes, including Pesto Plum Pizza, Good Old-Fashioned French
Toast, Barbecue Oyster-Mushroom Sliders, Fresh Blueberry Shortcake, homemade vegan pasta, and more.
Plum.  The Book
Makini Howell has been passionate about creating a chic dining experience
that appeals to vegans, foodies, and omnivores alike since her days of
living in New York City. In 2005 she moved back home to Seattle with the
goals of redirecting her family’s restaurant business and creating a new
perception of veganism. Makini is focused on using organic and non-GMO
seasonal produce and herbs from family-owned farms in combinations that are
both comforting and unexpected. As an entrepreneur she has developed a
sustainable business model using what the earth provides to supply
wholesome, nourishing food.
Couldn’t wait to ask Makini why many vegans are opinionated and such a pain.
She agreed.
[divider]
Hester Creek  
Hailing from the Niagara region, it seems natural that Rob Summers figures
large in the Canadian wine industry After acquiring an Honours Degree in
Food Science (BSc, Hons) from the University of Guelph he worked at
Hillebrand Estates, Henry of Pelham, Cave Spring Cellars, and Peller
Estates. While at Peller, Rob directed VQA winemaking for two vintages in
the Okanagan where he saw the vast potential that the south Okanagan Valley
held, and was inspired to relocate his family to Osoyoos He joined the team
at Hester Creek Estate Winery in 2006 and his signature winemaking style has
since gained accolades from his fellow winemakers and seasoned wine experts
alike.
Rob Summers and Mark Sheridan   Hester Creek
Born and raised in the Barossa Valley in Australia, and after earning a
Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Adelaide University, Mark Sheridan went
on to work for some of Australia’s largest wine producers. Mark was
attracted to BC, as he saw the Okanagan as the world’s next wine frontier,
so in 1999, he moved to Canada to be director of vineyard operations for
Vincor Canada. He was recognized for his talents and called “a rising star
in a young industry”.
Now, as Hester Creek’s general manager, Mark oversees all aspects of the
winery’s business, from viticulture through to the finished wines and then
into the marketplace
While tasting and talking about their new Fall releases we also talked about
wine shipping laws, the growing season and The Okanagan today.
[divider]
Susana Balbo
Susana Balbo  Argentina
In a country dominated by male winemakers, Susana Balbo stands out not only
for her gender, but for her incredible skill and experience. She has been
making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and she has
probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in
Argentina. Susana was the first Argentine winemaker to be hired as a
consultant to make wine outside of Argentina. She has made wine in
Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, and
she spends a month each year in a different wine region of the world
studying with local winemakers and growers. After twenty years of producing wines for others, Susana decided it was time
to apply her education and experience to her own wines and put her name right on the bottle.
Susana strives for balance in her wines, with layers of complexity coming from the individually fermented varietals. She wants
people who drink her wines to feel that every sip from the glass is as
exciting as the first.
www.dominiodelplata.com.ar


[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The 62 Annual Niagara Food and Wine festival
Bob McGown
Ron Power
Nicolette Novak
Charlie Pilliterri