Hester Creek Old Vine Pinot Bianco 2022

These old vines – we're talking plantings from the early 1980s – are the secret weapon in Hester Creek's Old Vine Pinot Bianco 2022. The resulting wine is a perfect example of how vine age translates to complexity. At first pour, you'll notice a pale gold colour with serious clarity. The nose is a textbook example of cool-climate Pinot Blanc: crisp green apple, white peach, and a hint of that distinctive mineral cut that speaks to the Golden Mile Bench's unique terroir. What's interesting here is the textural component. Unlike many simple, straightforward white wines, this has a subtle richness from those decades-old vines. There's enough weight to keep it interesting, but still plenty of bright acidity to make it refreshing. Expect flavours of ripe pear, a touch of citrus zest, and a saline mineral note on the finish that'll have you reaching for another glass. It's the kind of wine that reminds you why old vine fruit is so prized – concentration without losing freshness. Technically speaking, the low yields from these mature vines concentrate flavour while maintaining brilliant acid structure. A wine that proves the Okanagan is seriously underrated for white varieties. Tasted September 2023.

Process: Grapes from Block 4 vines that were planted in 1968. Following harvest, the grapes were sorted, destemmed, and whole berry pressed into stainless steel tanks. Following a long, cool fermentation for 28 days at 12°C, the wine was racked, blended with fine lees, and aged to further develop before being bottled

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