September01_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

In the early 1900s this site was owned by the Riddle family who operated an apricot orchard. The property stretched about a hundred yards to the north where Riddle Road is now, and the old farmhouse stood on wheat is now the tasting room of Hillside Estate. In 1979 the property was purchased by Bohimir and Vera Klokocka who had recently immigrated to the Okanagan Valley from Czechoslovakia. Vera dreamed of one day replacing the orchard with row upon row of grape vines to squeeze into wine. By 1984 Vera and Bohimir started pulling out the apricot trees and plating 3.5 acres of Vineyards.

Photos - Interesting things at the main northern entrance to Hillside Cellar Winery located at 1350 Naramata Road. An old 5 gallon milk container (left), the awesome Bing Cherry tree with plenty of ripe fruit (center). One of a small stand of trees proving shade to the entrance walkway and tasty treats since they were planted in 1926. A wooden wine barrel with a wagon wheel leaning against it, also marking the entrance to the winery and restaurant here.

In 1994, after Bohimir's death, Vera sold Hillside to a group of wine lovers who shared the desire to create wine and take Vera's dream of establishing a highly respected winery .The group built a 15,00 square foot addition to the original farm house, installed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and a 160 seat restaurant. By 2005 the transformation was complete and is producing more than 12,000 cases of premium wine per year compared to the 25 cases of wine produced annually by the original owners.

Photos - L-R - The distillery entrance on the ground floor at the southwest corner of the building.

The beautiful garden laced with bright blossoming flowers.

The north entrance of the Winery used for self guided tours of the estate.

Photos - L-R - The employees entrance to the Winery building.

This lovely Hillside Cellars mosaic was commissioned by the estate in 1993. Jiri George Kayser, an local artisan and friend of the winery constructed this display outside the wide shop. The mosaic depicts the original label designs for the first few vintages of wines at Hillside Cellars and has been moved to this wall from a garage wall that faced Naramata Road.

A wooden wine barrel decorates the front yard on the northern side of the winery.

Click here for more photos of Naramata Road for this day.