Heading south down Highway 97 in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve accidentally travelled to Tuscany or Lake Como, Italy. After landing at Kelowna International Airport and driving through the city, the landscape quickly turns rural, featuring long lakes hemmed in by pretty orchards, rolling vineyards and mountain plateaus.

But it’s in the southern Okanagan, around Oliver and Osoyoos, where La Dolce Vita truly takes hold. Dubbed “Canada’s Wine Capital,” the region boasts over 40 wineries, and thousands of hectares of vineyards producing half of B.C.’s wine grapes. Along the famous Golden Mile Bench, fertile vineyards slope toward the valley bottom, bookended by picturesque bluffs and sage-brushed hills. It’s no wonder Italian immigrant and B.C. wine pioneer Joe Busnardo chose this idyllic spot to settle in 1967, planting Vitis vinifera from his homeland the following year.

The 46.5 hectares that would become Divino Estate reminded Busnardo of his youth, and he wagered on Italian varietals like Trebbiano and Italian Merlot thriving in the sun-soaked terrain. His hunch proved right, and by the early 1980s, he had established Divino Estate.

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 featuring 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.