With summer quickly approaching, you’ll want to make sure you have a visit to Black Hills Estate Winery marked in your calendar. Whether you’re enjoying a seated wine flight on the vineyard terrace or sampling the new releases in a waterside cabana, life outside of wine country will slowly drift away.
An Okanagan Oasis
Overlooking lush vineyards and arid desert hills, Black Hills Estate Winery is an oasis in the South Okanagan. Located at 4190 Black Sage Road in Oliver, it is the perfect place to visit and instantly feel like you’re on vacation.
Miradoro Partner
This year, Black Hills is partnering with Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest from Miradoro Restaurant to offer food accompaniments to Black Hills’ wine experiences. Guests can now enhance their tasting experience with Spanish-style tapas, specifically curated to pair with their current wine portfolio.
“We’re really excited to have Chef Jeff and his team join us this summer,” Black Hills Estate Winery’s estate manager Jesse Collins said. “His passion for Mediterranean cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients pairs perfectly with our new releases for 2021.”
Must-Try Wines
One of the wines you’ll definitely want to taste this season is Black Hills’ 2019 Nota Bene. Black Hills started releasing their signature Nota Bene in 1999, and the wine has gained a huge following. The 2019 vintage will mark 20 years since the tradition began.
The new release is especially close to winemaker Ross Wise’s heart because it will be the first vintage he created from start to finish after joining the winery in 2019.
“Ross is very passionate about sustainable vineyard management techniques and the quality of the fruit he uses. He believes that minimal intervention practices are the future of winemaking in BC,” Collins said.
The 21st Nota Bene vintage will be released to wine club members and avid BC wine collectors in June of this year.
Another highly anticipated release from Black Hills to watch for is their Rosé, which will be released in late spring of 2021. Last year’s Rosé sold out quickly, so keep your eyes out for this year’s release!
Lost Grape of Bordeaux
Arguably the most exclusive release of all, however, is Black Hills Estate Winery’s Carménère. As one of very few wineries in Canada that produce Carménère, Black Hills is able to showcase their truly unique terroir through this wine.
The Carménère varietal is known as “the lost grape of Bordeaux” and is widely grown in Chile.
“Carménère can be temperamental and quite difficult to grow,” Collins said. “Our vineyard manager Steve Carberry (who has been with us since 2005) knows exactly what is needed to fully ripen this typically later-harvested red wine.”
This rich and peppery wine is the perfect accompaniment to summer evening barbeques and late nights by the campfire. This sought-after wine will be released this spring and will be exclusively available to wine club members.
Membership Perks
The wine club membership offers a wide array of benefits any wine lover would revel in. Wine club members get access to limited wines and a VIP Cabana Portfolio Tasting for up to three guests annually and they also receive complimentary tastings at Black Hills as well as Tinhorn Creek, Gray Monk, Red Rooster and Sandhill. For a full list of club membership benefits, visit blackhillswinery.com/Wine-Club.
Good Times Are Always a Certainty at Black Hills
Although our world is a bit uncertain at the moment, one thing you can be certain about is the experience you will have at Black Hills Estate Winery.
“It really comes down to our exceptional terroir, which enables us to produce some amazing wine, and our wonderful team here at the winery,” Collins said. “All of our wine educators have been with us for at least five years. They are so in tune with what we’re doing in the winery and do their absolute best to ensure everyone has a personalized and memorable experience.”
Black Hills Estate Winery is adhering to all COVID-19 safety protocols, and accepts groups of up to four people. Reservations are highly recommended.