Be kind, be calm, be safe, make wine… As we try to be patient, waiting for the grapes to ripen to perfection, we have been racking some of the 2019 red wines from barrels and blending. Pinot Noir, Gamay, Syrah and some of the Merlot need to be out of barrel and bottled to make…
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Part 3 of 3: Why do we use oak in winemaking? The red edition… The use of oak in winemaking is so much more about structure than flavour: Red wines are aged (not “fermented”) in oak. The barrels are filled after fermentation and extended skin contact are completed—this is 20-30 days post-harvest. We try to…
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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?
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with Hillside! This year, the Lunar New Year begins on January 22, when we will welcome the Year of the Rabbit! Read on for some of our favorite Hillside wines to pair with classic Chinese dishes. Veggie Chow Mein + Muscat Ottonel The fresh & floral flavor profile &…
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The holiday season is upon us, and one of our favorite things about this time of year is spending quality time with our family and friends while sharing fabulous wine and delicious food. With the return of Christmas parties and in person events, the holiday hustle can quickly turn stressful if you aren’t prepared! Fear…
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Hot time summer in the cellar… …haha not at Hillside! Our 60-foot tower acts as a ventilation shaft, channeling warm air out of the cellar, while the rock walls built into the Hillside (see what we did there?!) insulate the room. Along with our super-efficient tank cooling jackets this keeps the cellar air temperature generally…
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Part 2 of 3: Why do we use oak in winemaking? The white edition… Wooden barrels are used in winemaking for benefits that far outweigh simple flavour contribution from the oak. Wine changes by virtue of being in a small wooden vessel. These changes can be physical – the actual evaporation of small amounts ofwater/alcohol…
Continue reading Why We Use Oak In Winemaking: Part 2
Elegant and juicy, the 2019 Hillside Syrah is the perfect bottle to compliment a grilled lamb steak. The slight fattiness from the T-bone steak softens the fine tannins exposing flavours like clove and espresso. Grown naturally, stress and chemical free, the lamb we sourced for the bistro is ethically raised in Creston BC. Lamb steaks…
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100% Naramata Wines, delivered straight to your door. Dive into a personalized wine experience with benefits handpicked for you, ensuring each moment with Hillside is memorable and uniquely yours. Whether you’re a connoisseur eager to cellar our flagship blends, a lover of variety seeking to discover the flavours of our region, or someone ready to…
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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,…
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Weddings at Hillside Winery Congratulations on your engagement! Imagine a place where the backdrop to your “I do” is as breathtaking as the journey that brought you together. Nestled along the picturesque Naramata Bench, Hillside Winery & Bistro offers an idyllic setting for the celebration of your union. Our venue provides a blend of breathtaking…
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The Hillside Story Grow the best quality fruit possible, pick at optimum physiological ripeness, ferment cool, and intervene with nature only when necessary…simple, elegant. Simple, elegant, yes, but easy? Definitely not. The temptation to constantly “fiddle” and “improve upon” Mother Nature is really more about manufacturing. Natural, beautiful wine is not manufactured—rather, it is carefully…
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