I’ve never been there, but it’s not for lack of trying.  It has just never worked out – yet.

But others I know have been and have enjoyed the award-winning restaurant, in addition to the wines made there on the Naramata Bench just up the hill from Penticton.

Muscat Ottonel was the first variety planted at Hillside, so they’ve been making wine from it for 25 years.  This grape is grown widely throughout Europe, but especially in Alsace, Germany and Hungary and produces both dry and sweet wines; this version is lightly off dry.

On the eyes, it’s a pale gold with perfumed aromas of spring blossoms, peach and apricot.

The off dry palate is not cloying at all with medium plus juicy acidity and flavours of more white flowers, nectarine, crushed rock and lightly bitter peach kernel.

With its solid finish, this is a lovely and delicately balanced WSET Good plus wine.  Pair with spicy food, noodles, stir fry with ginger, sushi and wasabi or a spicy seafood salad, as I did.