The Vineyard
Having planted the first Syrah vines in the South Okanagan on the original “Three Boys Vineyard,” Desert Hills Estate Winery now farms on three vineyards in the Black Sage Bench. Desert Hills Estate Winery has spread to over five vineyards and more than 70 acres of vine in the South Okanagan.
The Black Sage Bench is renowned for its long, hot summer days and sandy soils that concentrate the flavors in the grapes, and gentle cool evenings round the complexity of each variety. The moderating effect of the Okanagan River on the lower western edge of the Estate vineyard is also a natural deterrent against October frost.
Purchased by the Toor family in 1989, this estate was strategically planted so that each grape varietal had the best conditions to grow. Production began in 1996 and the vineyard is home to award winning Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, Zinfandel and Pinot Gris.
The gentle east to west sloping property was hand selected by the Toor family for its natural attributes to deliver some of Canada’s finest grapes.
Located on Black Sage Road, this vineyard benefits from long, hot summer days and moderately cool nights. The 2012 first vintage will produce Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and small amounts of Gewurztraminer.
Adjacent to Sage Brush Vineyard, this vineyard produces Merlot with small quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. These high quality, low yield grapes add tremendously to the Mirage red.
Viognier is sourced from this vineyard on the banks of Lake Osoyoos. The cool evenings allow the fruit a longer hang time, which develops the characteristic aromatics of this grape.
Sitting at a higher elevation than other vineyards, Night Hawk produces the Gewurztraminer, which achieves a subtle elegance by nature of the vineyard's position.