Hester Creek sparkles for The Judge

Photo: Hester Creek Estate Winery

When I am reviewing wines, I sometimes share some with a neighbour who, in turn, shares them with her walking club. If they particularly like a wine, they may head to the wine store to buy it. My neighbour really enjoyed the Ti Amo sparkling wine but got a surprise when she went searching for it. It is not available in any wine stores except that at the Hester Creek winery. It is available on line and to members of Hester Creek’s wine club, which usually means buying a case. You might stumble across it in a few restaurants.

The same is true for the other Hester Creek wines reviewed here, except for The Judge, which can be found in fine wine stores in B.C. and Alberta. Fortunately, my neighbour has a visit planned to the Okanagan. It will include a stop at the Hester Creek wine shop. Hester Creek does not hold all of its wines so close to the chest. There are four Hester Creek wines, including a three-litre box of Pinot Gris, in Everything Wine. There are six in the BC liquor stores. I have reviewed most of them earlier in the year, giving them all favourable scores. Hester Creek is one of the most reliable wineries in the Okanagan.

The fact is that many wineries give priority to their wine club members, and Hester Creek is no exception. Wine clubs have been around for about 20 years but their ubiquity exploded during the pandemic. Many consumers now are sold having access to their favourite wines on a regular basis, delivered to the doorstep and often at a discount.

If you belong to Hester Creek’s Bench Club, here are some of the wines you might get.

Hester Creek Ti Amo 2021 Foundation Series ($21.99) This Charmat method sparkling wine is Hester Creek’s answer to Prosecco. It is made primarily with Pinot Gris, along with Gewürztraminer and Sémillon in the blend. The wine puts on a display of fine bubbles in the glass. The fruity aromas – think of lilac blossoms – jump from the glass. On the palate, there are flavours of pear and citrus mingled with a hint of brioche. The wine dances in the mouth, refreshing the palate. 91.

Hester Creek Old Vines Brut 2019 ($34.99). This elegant wine is made with fruit from mature blocks of Pinot Blanc. The grapes were picked by hand into bins that were only half full so that the weight of the bunches would not crush the fruit and cause some oxidation. While cluster pressing produced clean juice that was fermented cool for 24 days. The bottled base wine then aged 24 months on fine lees before being disgorged. The wine presents in the glass with fine bubbles. Brioche notes mingle with citrus and apple aromas. On the palate, there are flavours of pear and apple. The bubbles give this wine a creamy finish. 93.

Hester Creek Sémillon 2021 Storied Series ($21.99 for 400 cases). A long, cool 30-day ferment has accented the fresh aromas and flavours of lemon and apple around a spine of minerality. Bright acidity gives the wine a crisp and savoury finish. 91.

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