If you have been able to follow my random trekking up and down the Okanagan, then colour me impressed. Today we retrace our steps to a small vineyard just up the road from Burrowing Owl Winery. From the edge of Black Sage Road all one can see of Black Hills Winery is a small hut with a sign and grape vines in every direction. But if this valley has taught us anything, it’s that a little curiosity can be richly rewarded.
At the base of the hill is a ultra-modern building of glass and concrete, containing a wine-making operation right in the heart of the vineyard. This is, of course, for a reason. Having the wine-making operation amidst the grapes means that they don’t have far to travel, which reduces the amount of time and handling it takes them to get from the vine to the press to the tank. This translates into a better end product for you and I, or so I’m told.
Wine is very serious business at Black Hills, where even their tastings are taken to the next level. Tastings are run several times a day in the busier months and reservations are required. When you sit down to a tasting (yes, sit), you will immediately notice the array of glassware in front of you. Each wine is tasted from the appropriate varietal-style glass, with an extremely engrossing introduction of each wine provided by what they refer to as their “Wine Evangelist”. After an educational and delicious 30 minutes, guests are walked through the rest of the winery and into their storage room, where they are offered a taste of an upcoming wine right from the barrel.
So what about the wine? Black Hills dedication to their craft is reflected in their end product, with their Bordeaux-style blend “Nota Bene” having a very dedicated following. It is an amazing wine, and commands a premium price. All five (soon to be six) wines offered are at the top of their respective classes, with their 2009 Viognier a particularly nice example.
I must admit that my opinion of them did dip slightly when I learned that one of the part owners is Jason Priestly (yes, that Jason Priestly) as I have an aversion to most celebrity backed endeavors. However, the quality of the wine does allow me to ignore that annoying fact for the most part and focus on enjoying the brilliant fruits of their labour.
dustonthebottle 