Hester Creek Old Vine Trebbiano 2022

Let's talk about a true unicorn wine. Trebbiano is rarely seen outside of Italy and even rarer in the Okanagan, which makes Hester Creek's version something of a vinous treasure hunt. Most wine drinkers wouldn't recognize this grape if it walked up and introduced itself, but that's precisely what makes it exciting. This isn't your typical crisp white – it's got more complexity than you'd expect. The wine shows a pale straw colour with brilliant clarity, and the nose is all about subtle aromatics: green herbs, white citrus, and a distinctive mineral note that hints at the variety's Italian roots. On the palate, it's a bit of a shape-shifter. Crisp green apple meets a slightly waxy texture – classic Trebbiano – with surprising depth and a saline finish that screams "drink with food." Wine geek note: These old vines produce something far more interesting than your average white wine. It's the kind of wine that would make a sommelier's eyes light up – unexpected, complex, and telling a story beyond just fruit and acid. Perfect for those looking to venture off the beaten path of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Tasted September 2023.

Process: Hand harvested grapes, sorted then destemmed in preparation for whole berry pressing. The resulting juice was cold settled in stainless steel tanks for three days, then racked to undergo a cool month-long fermentation. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine aged for four months before being bottled.

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