We faced harvest this year with no idea of what we might find. The “heat dome” in mid-June brought record temperatures at a highly unusual time for wine-growing regions. As this period is typically when we see “bloom” – flowering of these self-pollinating vines – I expected to see anomalies in both time of ripening…
Continue reading Hindsight 2021: How was Hillside’s Harvest?
The Naramata Bench wineries were the first in BC to join and pool their marketing efforts through a regional association when the Naramata Bench Wineries Association formed in 2003 as a marketing organization promoting awareness of Naramata Bench wineries throughout BC and Alberta. This vibrant group became well known for “taking it on the road”…
Continue reading Best of the Bench—has sub-GI designation made a difference?
As we celebrate budbreak, that magical period when the grapevine buds come out of dormancy, reconnect with the vine’s vascular system to draw up the nutrients stored in the root system through the winter, and unfurl two tiny leaves and a teeny pre-grape cluster, we wonder what the season will bring us. Each growing season…
Continue reading Sustainability and Resilience
Through the summer of 2010, Hillside hosted a number of “terroir tastings” from barrels, illustrating the similarities and differences between four blocks of 2009 Merlot from the Naramata bench and one Oliver block. The difference was obvious—almost a Sesame Street segment of “one of these things is not like the other” –the wine from Oliver…
Continue reading The down & “dirt”y on our single vineyard Merlots?
Our July 2020 blog post gave an overview of what happens in the vineyard through the summer and how critical good vineyard management is. “The quality of the fruit and the health of the vines are ensured through good canopy management. The canopy is made up of all the green growth which arises from the…
Continue reading Summer in the Vineyard 2022
The Bistro menu has been created with a focus on small plates so that you may indulge in and share a melody of flavours.
Continue reading The Bistro at Hillside
Mosaic Mosaic – small pieces coming together to create a work of art. Vineyard skill, careful barrel selection, and cellar craftsmanship come together to realize a wine of great depth and finesse. 95 Points – John Schreiner92 Points – Anthony Gismondi Hillside’s signature red is a classic blend of bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Franc, Merlot,…
Continue reading Mosaic