Hester Creek's 2025 whites are fragrant
Photo: Winemaker Mark Hopley
Hester Creek Estate Winery rates the 2025 vintage as “one of the best vintages the Okanagan valley has ever seen. Mark Hopley, the winemaker, ranks the quality up with the great 2022 vintage.
The surprising quality of the 2025 wines – “wines [that] exhibit balance, complexity and develop flavours” – are welcome after the frost-ravaged vintages of 2023 and 2024. “I believe that the vines that survived basically had a two-year hiatus from producing grapes,” Mark says. “The vines were ready to be productive.” And the season was distinguished with lots of “growing degree days.” The vines also produced more abundantly than expected.
The winery has just released its white wines, all of which are notable for bright flavours and superb balance. “The reds are shaping up well,” Mark adds. “Early indications led to a memorable vintage.”
Hester Creek whites and rosé wines reflect Hester Creek’s use of the AromaLoc technology which was invented in the Okanagan and has been commercialized by an Italian firm. The units – Hester Creek has several – sit on fermentation tanks to capture the CO2 while preserving the wine’s aromas. Mark believes the technology “really allows the aromatics to shine through.”
Here are notes on the 2025 whites from Hester Creek.
Hester Creek Pinot Gris 2025 ($19.99). The fruit was fermented cool in stainless steel with the use of AromaLoc to preserve the aromatics. The aromas of apples and cantaloupe lead to flavours of pear and apple. 91.
Hester Creek Old Vine Pinot Blanc 2025 ($22.95). The majority of a Pinot Blanc block
planted in 1968 survived the 2023 and 2024 cold snaps, recovering well in the 2025 vintage. The
full-bodied richness of this wine reflects the age of the vines. The grapes, after a one-day cold soak,
were fermented in stainless-steel, with the use of AromaLoc. The wine is bright and fresh, with
aromas and flavours of apple and pineapple. 92.
Hester Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2025 ($21.99). This is the winery’s first Sauvignon Blanc. The wine had a long, cool fermentation in stainless steel, with AromaLoc helping in preserving the aromatics and flavours. The wine begins with aromas of lime leading to bright flavours of lime, grapefruit and gooseberry. 90.
Hester Creek Character White 2025 ($19.99). This is a blend of 40% Pinot Gris, 30% Gewürztraminer and 30% Chardonnay. Each varietal was cold-fermented separately for 23 days in stainless steel, with the use of AromaLoc units to preserve the aromatics. Fruit aromas jump from the glass. The palate is lush with flavours of apricot and peach. 91
Hester Creek Pinot Gris Viognier 2025 ($21.99). The wine is available primarily in Save-On-Food stores and the Hester Creek wine shop. The percentage mix is not disclosed. However, each varietal was fermented separately and cool, aging another four months in tank before being blended. Aromas of apples and limes lead to a mouthful of flavour – green apple and citrus. Bright acidity gives the wine a refreshing zest and a long finish. 93.
Hester Creek Old Vine Trebbiano 2025 ($26.99). This is arguably Hester Creek’s flagship white wine, made from the oldest (and perhaps only) Trebbiano planting in the Okanagan. The grapes were cold-fermented in stainless steel for 31 days and aged another three months in tank. It begins with a delicate fragrance of citrus, melon and pear which are echoed brightly on the palate. 94.
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