Twenty-five years ago, a bold red blend from the South Okanagan began turning heads. Today, Nota Bene stands as one of British Columbia’s most iconic wines and the flagship of Black Hills Estate Winery.
With the release of the 2023 vintage, Black Hills celebrates 25 vintages of Nota Bene and the continuing story of a wine shaped by place, patience, and purpose. Since its first vintage in 1999, Nota Bene has reflected the growing environment of the Black Sage Bench. The desert climate, sandy soils, and long, warm growing season offer conditions well suited to Bordeaux varieties. Over time, the vineyard has earned a reputation for producing fruit with depth, structure, and elegance. When the estate was planted in 1996 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, the vision was clear. The goal was to create a wine of place that could stand the test of time.
A Thoughtful Pursuit
The release of the 2023 Nota Bene reflects a philosophy grounded in patience and precision. It is about taking the time to understand the land, each vine, and every barrel that shapes the final blend.
“It is a privilege to take the winemaking reins, and I could not be more excited to embark on Black Hills’ next chapter,” says Ryan McKibbon, Head Winemaker at Black Hills. “As we look to the future, we are guided by our heritage and will continue our path of incremental refinement. In this changing climate, we understand our place on these lands is fragile, but we learn. We adapt. Our pursuit is to showcase the best the Black Sage Bench has to offer while nurturing the land for generations to come. Given the stories these vineyards have told over the past 25 vintages, I think it is a worthwhile endeavor to endure.”
A Vintage of Distinction
The 2023 growing season delivered standout fruit, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, which shaped this year’s blend. The result is a wine that balances expression and age-worthiness with clarity and focus. The vintage has already earned critical recognition. Wine critic John Schreiner awarded 2023 Nota Bene 94 points, calling it one of the finest expressions of the wine to date. As we look ahead, our commitment remains unchanged. We will continue to craft wines of integrity and place while renewing and stewarding the land for future generations.
The 2023 Nota Bene is now available at Black Hills Estate Winery and online at blackhillswinery.com. Release events will be held in Oliver and Vancouver over the month of June to celebrate this milestone vintage.