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Hester Creek’s Roots Run Deep This Winter

The Goods from Hester Creek

Oliver, BC | In this season of giving we are thrilled to announce our continued support of the Oliver Elementary School Farm-to-Table Salad Bar Program, with a donation of $16,000 this year. A partnership since 2012 between Oliver Elementary and Hester Creek Estate Winery, the winery’s annual campaigns have seen over $97,000 donated to the school since its inception. This program offers nutritious options for students that may not otherwise have the opportunity, feeding the school lunch twice a week for the majority of the year.

We are also delighted to sponsor the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) Sommelier Scholarships, which provide an opportunity for hospitality workers to further their wine knowledge through schooling. As of last week the BCHF is accepting applications for its 2019 Sommelier Scholarship with the submission deadline in mid-January. In February the charity will award 10 Sommelier Scholarships of $1,000 each.

“We are proud to support the community in this our seventh year of giving back to the families in our neighbourhood. As a leading BC winery, with deep roots in the Oliver region, we take great pride in our local partnerships and nurturing healthy options for children,” said Mark Sheridan, President, Hester Creek Estate Winery. “In this celebratory 50th year of growing premium vinifera grapes, we are also pleased to nurture industry education with our new commitment to the BCHF Sommelier Scholarships program. We hope this is the beginning of a long, successful relationship.”

WINTER FESTIVITIES

This winter our winery remains open daily, 10 am to 4 pm, and will only be closed on December 24, 25 and 26 as well as New Year’s Day. New this season, wine flights paired with delectable charcuterie boards are available for $12 per person.

The Villas and Terrafina by RauDZ are now closed, however both will reopen February 14 in time for Valentine’s Day. Our popular and intimate cooking classes will also resume around that time. Additional details will be available on our website in the new year.

WINTER RELEASES

This winter we are happy to release new vintages of two of our popular reds, which are delightful for holiday entertaining.

2017 Character Red | Crafted with fruit from our Golden Mile Bench vineyard, this popular red blend is composed of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The grapes for this harvest displayed good phenolic ripeness with its fruit, benefiting from a little more hang time. The varietals were fermented in separate smaller lots, barrel aged for 8 months and cross blended early to encourage a harmonious structure. This vintage has alluring aromas of black pepper, black licorice, smoked meat, anise and violet. These lead to a full, pleasing palate of dark ripe cherries, along with pepper, cedar and sandalwood. Pair this easygoing red with cherry braised lamb shank, or warm stews on a chilly fall night. Available in B.C.: at the winery, online, select restaurants, retail stores, and the BC LDB; $20.95.

2017 Selected Barrels Cabernet Merlot | This vintage was made with estate fruit as well as three long time, local growers: Stone’s Throw on the Black Sage Bench, Rockpit Vineyards in west Oliver, and Chahal Vineyard in north Oliver. This combination of premium south Okanagan vineyards provides a pleasing balance of ripeness and tannic structure to the wine. Comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this approachable blend has dark cherry, black current and vanilla aromas. Flavours of ripe plum, juicy blackberry and a touch of light herbal spice fill the palate. Medium soft tannins frame this immensely drinkable wine with an enjoyably soft finish. Pair with grilled striploin or your favourite steak. Widely available in B.C.: at the winery, online, select BC VQA and grocery stores, BC LDB, and limited quantities in Alberta; $19.95.

Region: The Okanagan
877 Road 8, Oliver
250-498-4435

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