With its industrial architecture and sleek design, the striking architecture of Black Hills Estate Winery’s Wine Experience Centre has been a landmark in the Southern Okanagan for a decade. Surrounded by Black Hills’ vineyards, and offering panoramic views of the valley, the Wine Experience Centre provides guests with the quintessential winery experience.
Constructed to reflect the linear quality of the vineyards, the Wine Experience Centre deftly balances between modest sophistication and awe-inspiring grandeur, just like Black Hills’ wines.
Celebrating 10 Years
Now, 10 years after the building was first opened, the winery is inviting its guests to come celebrate.
“It’s quite surreal to be in our tenth season,” says Black Hills General Manager Jesse Collins. “Prior to 2012, we were doing appointment-only tastings, and were having to turn people away. People were starting to recognize the Okanagan for its wine, and not just a destination for camping, boating and ice cream. We wanted to be a part of that excitement. When we opened our Wine Experience Centre, no one was really doing seated wine tastings in the Okanagan. We were a part of that pivotal switch in our industry.”
To see the Black Hills’ Wine Experience Centre for yourself, visit the winery for a seated, educational wine tasting, or look out for one of their upcoming open houses!
New Releases
While you’re there, you might be lucky and get to try their new wine releases like the 2020 Alibi, the 2020 Viognier, and the 2019 Per Se. The first vintage of Alibi was released in 2003, and ever since it has been a Black Hills’ favourite. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the 2020 Alibi is creamy with a subtle spice.
This year, the winery has freshened the look of the Alibi label to reflect its flavour, leaving behind the bright yellow and red and replacing it with a more sophisticated ivory-coloured label with black cursive and touches of gold.
The 2020 Viognier is juicy and full bodied, with notes of dandelion, chamomile, and white peach on the nose. Teeming with flavours of nectarine, preserved lemon and Japanese pears, this warm and inviting wine will take you back to long, golden summer evenings.
Only made when the growing year is exceptional, the 2019 Per Se is the fourth Per Se vintage since Black Hills started producing the wine in 2013. A blend of 76 per cent Cabernet Franc and 24 per sent Merlot, the Per Se has a palate comprising of deep red fruit, with delicate hints of sage, star anise and toasted vanilla. Unlike the first two Per Se vintages, the 2019 vintage is available to everyone and not only Black Hills’ wine club members, making it the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life.
Wine Club
To make sure you’re the first to find out about Black Hills’ new releases, join the Black Hills wine club. Not only do wine club members get exclusive access to some of the Estate’s releases, but wine club members get complimentary wine tastings at Tinhorn Creek, Gray Monk, Red Rooster, and Sandhill, free shipping on all club releases on orders of 12 bottles or more, VIP Cabana Portfolio Tastings for up to three guests annually, and possibly the most exciting of all, members can book a stay at the luxurious Black Hills Wine Lodge. For a full list of the club membership benefits, visit blackhillswinery.com/Wine-Club.
Black Hills Estate Winery is open seven days a week, with tastings starting at 11 a.m. and finishing at 4:00 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended; however, the winery will do its best to accommodate walk-ins. To book a tasting, or for more information about Black Hills Estate Winery, please visit blackhillswinery.com or call the tasting room at 250-498-0666.