Page 33 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2025

FUN FACT
Hester Creek Estate Winery is one of the province’s oldest
vineyards, with some vines dating to 1968. These vines of Pinot
Blanc, Trebbiano, Italian Merlot and Cabernet Franc have an
Old-World intensity and elegance that’s hard to replicate.
DID YOU KNOW?
Osoyoos makes an excellent base
for exploring Golden Mile Bench
wineries. If you can’t snag a
reservation at The Villa, consider
Watermark Beach Resort, on the
shore of Osoyoos Lake, or Spirit
Ridge Resort, part of The Unbound
Collection by Hyatt. Both are just
20 minutes from Hester Creek and
other world-class wineries.
Under new ownership in 1996, the winery was rebranded as
Hester Creek Estate Winery, named after the creek that enriches its
alluvial soil. In 2004, current owner Curt Garland took over,
enhancing its Italian connection while prioritizing sustainability.
Garland invested in a 2,137-square-metre winery and hospitality
centre, its warm stucco exterior reminiscent of Tuscany’s burnished
hills. He also introduced The Villa, a boutique accommodation fea-
turing six luxurious suites with tiled floors, wood accents, and arched
windows that evoke Italian elegance. Adding to the charm, Terrafina,
an Italian-inspired restaurant, sits next to a chef’s garden, creating
a setting that could easily be mistaken for Montepulciano or
San Gimignano.
Sustainability remains a focus. Garland expanded the vineyards
and installed drip irrigation to conserve water. The winery building
uses a geothermal heating and cooling system, and its earthen roof
helps regulate temperature while attracting wildlife like Steller’s jays
and yellow-bellied marmots. Hester Creek Estate Winery also com-
posts Terrafina’s vegetable scraps, and repurposes grape skins to
enrich the vineyard’s soil, completing a sustainable cycle.
Over the past half-century, Hester Creek Estate Winery has transformed into a des-
tination winery on the Golden Mile Bench, B.C.’s first official wine subregion. This land’s
east-facing orientation welcomes warm morning light, while the shade from Mt. Kobau
in the afternoon allows grapes to ripen slowly. The land’s terroir—climate, slope, soil
and higher elevation (which keeps the vines frost-free in spring and fall)—all contribute
to Hester Creek’s portfolio of fruit-driven wines.
“I always come back to a sense of place,” says winemaker Mark Hopley. “We benefit
from early light on this side of the valley, with the sun setting behind Mt. Kobau in the
late afternoon. That enables us to hang the fruit a little longer and maintain vibrant
acidity, so you hold onto the structure of the wine.”
You’ll taste the difference while touring the region’s wineries. Family-owned, Hester
Creek Estate Winery was named B.C. Winery of the Year by Great Northwest Wine in
2023, and won multiple Double Golds at the All Canadian Wine Championships in 2024.
Don’t miss their newly released 2024 Viognier, 2024 Rosé Noir, and award-winning
2022 GSM, a delicious red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvèdre.
But no matter what you sip under the Okanagan sun, the valley’s warm days,
stunning scenery and fine wines will deliver “the sweet life” on your holiday.
SPRING/SUMMER 2025 DREAMSCAPES 33