Hillside Winery
We were proud to feature Hillside Winery in May 2021.
Located in the heart of the Naramata Bench wine region. Founded in 1984, Hillside Winery is one of the original farm-gate wineries in the area.
Unique, small-lot, and terroir-driven are terms best used to describe our wines. Our focus is showcasing hand-crafted wine made exclusively from Naramata grown grapes. Hillside wines display unique and compelling characteristics allowing wine drinkers the opportunity to share in the discovery and development of the Naramata Bench as a collection of serious terroirs.
Veteran winemaker, Kathy Malone, brings out the best in Hillside wines with a gentle touch and minimal intervention. Simple. Elegant.
Using only the best fruit exclusively from the Naramata Bench, known for its complex soil, long days of sunlight and older vines, Hillside produces award winning compelling wines.
Tasting Notes
MUSCAT OTTONEL, 2019
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Muscat Ottonel
Vineyard: Hillside & Shandro Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.7%
Residual Sugar: 9.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 827
Appearance: Very pale straw.
Nose: Spicy, floral nose of honeydew melon.
Palate: Crisply dry, aromatic, melon and floral flavours carried on lively acidity. Beautifully balanced, lovely mouth-feel and a long, lingering fresh finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2021.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Beet and blue cheese salad, chicken cordon bleu, lemon cheesecake with blueberry compote, cream cheese and crab sushi rolls, and blood orange and avocado crostini.
MERLOT MALBEC, 2018
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot (80%) & Malbec (20%)
Vineyard: Various Naramata Bench vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.45 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 490
Appearance: Dense purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, lightly spicy, black plum bouquet.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, plum and milk chocolate flavours with lively acidity. Firmly structured with grainy tannins.
Quality: Very Good+. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Pulled pork tacos, kimchi chicken burger, beef teriyaki rice bowl, beer and cheddar soup, and venison backstrap with sesame broccoli.
HERITAGE VIOGNIER, 2019
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Gjoa’s Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.3%
Residual Sugar: 1.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 386
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Minerally, peach pit nose with a suggestion of oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, spicy, white peach flavour; mouth-freshening acidity with a long finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2021.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Honey-mustard chicken wings, parmesan-crusted brussels sprouts, pineapple fried rice with shrimp and cashews, Tuscan pork pasta with romesco sauce, and farro and peach salad.
PINOT NOIR, 2018
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Cavada Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.46 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 348
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Tea leaf and black raspberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, ripe strawberry flavour carried on lively acidity. Bitter chocolate tannins on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be enjoyed now but will develop more bouquet with 1-2 years of bottle age that will allow the tannins to soften and integrate.
Critic Rating: 89 – 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Margherita pizza with lamb, roasted chicken with asiago polenta, baked salmon with roasted radishes, mushroom and feta quiche, and caramelized onion lasagna.
GEWÜRZTRAMINER, 2020
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard: Various Naramata Bench vineyards
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 9.1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 817
Appearance: Bright, pale straw in colour.
Nose: Aromatic, honeysuckle, ginger nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, floral, grapefruit, lychee and rose petal flavours. True varietal character, lively acidity and good length.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or over the next two years.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Ham and egg sandwich, duck breast with rhubarb compote, Thai red curry mussels with fried potatoes, seafood stew with saffron, and nachos with jalapeños and cheddar cheese.
MERLOT, 2018
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Hidden Valley, Gjoa, and Lower Bench Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9%
Residual Sugar: 3.29 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,680
Appearance: Dense purple colour.
Nose: Cedary, vanilla, black cherry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, dry, juicy, black cherry flavour with a savoury note of bitter chocolate; lively acidity and firmly structured with ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+. Drinking now, but will reward with 1-2 years in the cellar.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Turkey and tomato casserole, smoked sausage with sauerkraut, filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, bacon-wrapped stuffed duck, and baked artichokes stuffed with red quinoa.
CABERNET FRANC, 2017
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Cinwick Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2.47 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 296
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark garnet core.
Nose: Dark cherry, blackcurrant, violets, and licorice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Dry. Dark cherry, blackberry, and black tea leaf with hints of black pepper, dark chocolate, and green pepper. Firm tannins. Decant well.
Quality: Very Good+. 88-89 points. Hold for 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Portobello French dip sandwich, grilled beef skewers with orange yogurt sauce, pea and mushroom sauté with mint, polenta chips with green olive tapenade, and chorizo burrito bowl.
GAMAY NOIR, 2018
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Vineyard: Hillside Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 1.71 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 308
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Pale ruby colour.
Nose: Cherry, raspberry, black pepper, red licorice, and a hint of green herbs.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Blackberry, dark cherry, black pepper, hints of smoke and green pepper on the finish.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Shanghai noodles with duck and lychee, meatloaf topped with chili sauce, fried blue cheese-stuffed olives, crispy chicken tenders with maple-mustard dip, and roast beef with gravy.
SYRAH, 2018
Hillside Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Hidden Valley Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.24 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 622
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Deep purple core.
Nose: Blackberry, black currant, dark cherry, violets, and a hint of black pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Black currant, plum, dark raspberry, black tea. Hints of black pepper, vanilla, and a green vegetal note.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Bourbon and molasses smoked chicken legs, chili cheese dog, veggie burger with onion rings, Jamaican oxtail stew, and steak fajitas with black beans and peppers.