our history

Our Legacy

Black Hills is one of the pioneering wineries on the Black Sage Bench, with a 25+ year legacy of pushing new frontiers.

A lush vineyard stretches into the distance with rows of grapevines leading towards a backdrop of rugged, rocky mountains under a clear sky. The sunlight highlights the textures of the terrain and the greenery of the vineyard.

It started with an abandoned vineyard

Driving along Black Sage Road, Senka Tennant saw the untapped potential for Bordeaux varieties. The desert benchland was sparse and lined with sagebrush. But the desert soils and long, sundrenched summers seemed destined for late-ripening grapes. The end of one chapter of Okanagan winegrowing marked the start of another.

Nota Bene is born

A year later, in 1996, our founding estate vineyards were established. Sharp Rock and Double Black Vineyards were planted with a singular vision: an ultra-premium red blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. We wanted people to take notice of this unique desert terroir. Nota Bene was born.

A person with long hair, dressed in black, is sitting at a wooden table holding a large bottle of red wine labeled

An instant classic

The first vintage was made in 1999. And it worked. Nota Bene quickly gained a cult following, establishing Senka as one of the leading winemakers in the Okanagan. Each new vintage sold out faster than the last. By the 2006 vintage, the shelves were empty within 47 minutes.

A table with an assortment of wine bottles and glasses. There are two red wine bottles and one rosé wine bottle, with corresponding glasses filled with wine. A wine decanter is surrounded by multiple glasses containing red and white wine. The background is a plain, light-colored wall.

Looking ahead…

Since then, we have continued to explore new ways to express the South Okanagan, from complex single varietal bottlings of Syrah, Carménère, and Tempranillo to compelling blends made with patience and precision. Led by Ross Wise MW, we have also deepened our commitment to the land, farming organically since 2020.

We are long past talking about the potential of the Okanagan Valley. It’s here – now. Our job is to write the next chapter, taking lessons from the past while looking to the future.

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