The British Columbia wine industry is made up of many intriguing stories, old and new. This is chapter three of Hester Creek Estate Winery乌鸦传媒檚 recent saga, 'The Columbia Valley Collection.'
Be sure, choices B.C. winemakers have made to cope with the results of climate events of 2023 and 2024 were made long before the onslaught of the frosty political winds from south of us. In an earlier column Mark Sheridan, Hester Creek Estate Winery乌鸦传媒檚 President told us how they were collaborating with AVA growers in Washington State in an effort to secure grapes while their Okanagan estate vineyards recovered and their new vineyard plantings mature.
As we all know, but it bears repeating, Okanagan winegrowers have endured multiple climate events. Some growers having lost harvests, others complete vineyards. In some cases, decades of sweat equity were wiped out in a matter of days, putting the livelihoods of any number of people in jeopardy.
In an effort to survive short term and allow local wineries to continue their wine production, several Okanagan winegrowers, including Hester Creek, turned to growers below the border. Such decisions were not made lightly, but rather with the future viability of the wineries in mind. Still, the idea raised eyebrows, indeed the ire of some B.C. wine enthusiasts.
When asked about Hester Creeks乌鸦传媒� decision to work with Washington State winegrowers to produce their Columbia Valley Collection, Mark Sheridan, had this to say: 乌鸦传媒淧urchasing grapes is allowing us to stay economically viable, to continue to support B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 local wine industry, keep our winemaking team employed and to maintain contracts with local growers. By putting wine in bottles, we乌鸦传媒檙e solidifying partnerships with local businesses like Okanagan Label & Print and Artus Bottling. Taking into consideration elements like terroir and varietals, purchasing grapes rather than juice or pre-made wine would allow our winemakers the creative freedom to craft wines in true Hester Creek fashion.乌鸦传媒�
Clearly identified on the front label, the Columbia Valley Collection consists of a total of eight wines. Hand-harvested Pinot Gris, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc Ros茅 are now available online . The Columbia Valley Collection red wines will be released in the coming months. The current release of white wines and Ros茅 are sourced from the Art Den Hoed, White Bluffs, Goose Gap, Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills vineyards. All of these growers are AVA (U.S. version of VQA) vineyards in Washington State.
Please, do not confuse the Columbia Valley Collection with commercial winemakers poorly labelled (tiny print) cellared in B.C. wines, using unidentified 乌鸦传媒渄omestic and international juices.乌鸦传媒�
You can also find some your favourite Hester Creek Estate Winery-grown wines in local Wines of B.C. outlet shops and online.
A resident of Qualicum Beach, Chris Herbert is a wine enthusiast who enjoys sharing everything that B.C. wines have to offer. He looks forward to hearing from you with your questions and comments via email at spillthatvino@gmail.com.
