Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Our 2022 Foundation Series Character White is exceptional in its refined complexity. Floral aromas mingling
with grapefruit, citrus and fennel lead to an elegant palate with opulent notes of peach, pear, melon and
fresh-cut herbs. A wine for sharing with friends, pair the Character White with a baked Brie, maple walnut
appetizer.
Vineyard Notes
The 2022 season at Hester Creek will be remembered as one of the most challenging, yet productive years on
record. With the addition of new vineyards, the 2022 harvest yielded a larger crop than average. Due to coolerthan-expected spring temperatures and more rain than is typical of the South Okanagan, the season was off to
a late start. By summer, temperatures rose and lasted into the autumn, extending the season with the warmest
September and October on record. Growing degree days reached 1676 on average. This longer growing season
led to longer hang times for the fruit as they developed phenolic ripeness. Harvest began on September 9th with
our Ti Amo and finished on December 1st with our Old Vine Cabernet Franc. For the white varietals, longer hang
times resulted in delicate aromatics. The red varietals hung on the vine throughout November allowing the grapes
to concentrate their colours and flavours. The 2022 vintage will be remembered as a milestone year for producing
exceptional, fruit-forward and age-worthy wines.
Winemaker Notes
Uplifted and fresh, our 2022 Character White was crafted from approximately two thirds Pinot Gris and one
third Gewürztraminer. The grapes were hand picked from three vineyards: the Pinot Gris component came
from our Road 7 Vineyard and Vineyard Manager, Iqbal Gill’s, Road 8 property, and the Gewürztraminer
came from our historic Golden Mile Bench Estate as well as the Gill Vineyard on Road 8. The grapes were
sorted, destemmed and whole berry pressed prior to going through a cold settle and cool fermentation in
stainless steel tanks. Following fermentation, the lots were blended to create an elegantly balanced white
wine. After blending, the Character White is further aged in stainless for four months prior to bottling in early
2023. This wine represents the characteristics of the South Okanagan terroir, where the floral and aromatic
Gewürztraminer compliments the structure that the Pinot Gris provides.
Other Notes
90 Points ~ Julian Park, 90 Points ~ John Schreiner, Gold Medal ~ "The Invite" Great Northwest Invitational, Double Gold Medal ~ Platinum Awards by Great Northwest Wine.
