Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

Hester Creek

Hester Creek Winery onthe Okanagan's Golden Mile is Celebrating fifty years (2024). The winery was original build in the 1980's by pioneer Joe Busnardo. He called it Divino Estate. He sold the property in 1996. The winery was renamed Hester Creek after the creek that borders the south side of the property.

Prince George entrepreneur Curt Garland bought Hester Creek in 2004 — the dry grasslands, natural vegetation, orchards and vineyards of the Golden Mile Bench reminded him of the Mediterranean. New to the industry, he assembled an accomplished team, which included veteran Niagara winemaker Rob Summers.

Curt Garland

Curt made a number of significant investments: in the vineyards with new plantings and a drip irrigation system; building a 23,000-square-foot winery with state-of-the-art equipment; a new hospitality centre; an Italian inspired restaurant, and luxurious accommodations at the Villa to name a few.

Rob Summers brought the winery to new heights with the quality of their wines. Originally from Niagara, Summers has had a long winemaking career, which first began in Ontario in 1987. He joined Hester Creek in May 2006 and was instrumental in overseeing the design and construction of Hester Creek’s sustainably built, state-of-the-art winery in 2008, the winery said in a news release. He retired in 2020.

Today Mark Hopley is the winemaker. He grew up in the Okanagan and has always been interested in the wines. He studied viticulture and winemaking at Okanagan College. He gained his experience at Sumac Ridge and Kraze Legz wineries. Mark is a family man with twin daughters.

Mark Sheridan is the President of Hester Creek. Mark was raised Barossa Valley in Australia, and after earning a Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Adelaide University, Mark went on to work for some of Australia’s largest wine producers. Mark was attracted to BC, as he saw the Okanagan as the world’s next wine frontier, so in 1999, he moved to Canada to be director of vineyard operations for Vincor Canada.

Hester Creek was named Winery of the Year in 2023 at the Great Northwest Wine awards.

Best Rosé Wine of the Year Hester Creek Estate Winery, BC at the 2024 ALL Canadians
Double Gold for thier 2023 Viognier
Double Gold Red Vitis Vinifera Blends 2022 GMS

Red Vitis Vinifera Blends 2022 GMS won Platinum at the National.

Terrafina Restaurant

There is Terrafina a Tuscan Style Resturant nested among the vines.

The winery offers accomendation with five deluxe guest suites and one Executive Suite.

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Wines of Canada was developed and designed by Robert (Bob) Bell of Whi make or sell wine. Support is welcome as are suggestions and comments; should you see something that needs to be corrected please let us know.