Roche Wines, a boutique winery on the Naramata Bench, combines French winemaking's refined traditions with the unique terroir of British Columbia. Roche Wines is dedicated to producing small-lot, handcrafted wines that reflect their expertise and the character of the land they farm.
The Naramata Bench – A Unique Wine Region
Introduction to the Naramata Bench
The Naramata Bench is one of Canada's most distinctive wine regions, renowned for its unique climate, soil, and topography combination. Situated along the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, the Bench enjoys a microclimate that is ideal for growing grapes. Warm, sunny days are balanced by cool nights, allowing the grapes to develop complex flavours while retaining acidity. The region's varied soils—from sandy loam to clay and gravel—further contribute to the wines' diversity and quality.
This terroir is particularly well-suited to varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which thrive in the excellent, well-drained soils of the Naramata Bench. Okanagan Lake's influence helps moderate temperatures, reducing the risk of frost and extending the growing season. These conditions enable winemakers to produce expressive and nuanced wines, showcasing the region's unique characteristics.
The Bench's Role in the Okanagan Valley Wine Scene
The Naramata Bench has become a hub for boutique wineries emphasizing quality, sustainability, and innovation. Over the past few decades, the region has attracted winemakers who are passionate about crafting wines that reflect the area's terroir. Roche Wines is a critical player in this dynamic community, known for its commitment to small-lot production and its focus on creating wines that are true to their origins.
As the Okanagan Valley continues to gain recognition as a world-class wine region, the Naramata Bench stands out for its distinctive approach to winemaking. Here, winemakers like Dylan and Penelope Roche are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, producing wines that are not only of exceptional quality but also deeply connected to the land they come from.
The Story Behind Roche Wines
Founders' Background and Vision
Roche Wines was founded by Dylan and Penelope Roche, a couple whose love of wine and viticulture brought them from France to the Naramata Bench. Both trained in Burgundy, one of the world's most prestigious wine regions, the Roches brought a great understanding of traditional winemaking techniques and a desire to create something unique in the Okanagan Valley.
Their vision for Roche Wines is centred on producing elegant, authentic, and expressive wines of the terroir. The Roches believe that great wine starts in the vineyard, and they have dedicated themselves to cultivating their vines with the utmost care and attention to detail. This philosophy is reflected in every bottle of Roche wine, from the crisp, mineral-driven Chardonnay to the complex, layered Pinot Noir.
Establishing Roche Wines on the Naramata Bench
The journey to establish Roche Wines on the Naramata Bench was both challenging and rewarding. After carefully selecting their vineyard sites, the Roches transformed the land into a thriving winery. Their commitment to small-lot production has allowed them to control every aspect of the winemaking process, ensuring that each wine they produce reflects the vineyard's unique characteristics.
The Roches' dedication to their craft is evident in the wines they produce. By focusing on small-lot production, they can give each parcel of land the attention it deserves, resulting in wines that are not only of exceptional quality but also distinct. This approach has earned Roche Wines a reputation for excellence, and their wines are now sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The Wines of Roche
Signature Wines and Tasting Notes
Roche Wines offers a carefully curated portfolio of wines focusing on varietals that thrive in the cool climate of the Naramata Bench. Among their signature wines are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, each crafted with the precision and care hallmarks of the Roche approach.
The Roche Chardonnay stands out, balancing bright acidity and rich, layered flavours. Notes of citrus, green apple, and subtle oak give this wine complexity, making it a perfect pairing for seafood, poultry, and creamy pasta dishes. The Pinot Noir, with its aromas of red berries, earth, and spice, is elegant and expressive, offering a silky texture and a long, refined finish. This wine pairs beautifully with roast duck, mushroom risotto, and grilled salmon.
Small-Lot Production and Terroir Expression
Small-lot production is at the core of Roche Wines' philosophy. By focusing on limited quantities, the winemaking team can pay close attention to the nuances of each vineyard site, ensuring that every wine expresses the unique terroir of the Naramata Bench. This approach allows the Roches to craft wines that are both high in quality and distinct in character, with each bottle offering an authentic taste of the land.
Traditional winemaking techniques, such as barrel fermentation and aging, further enhance the wines' complexity and character. Combined with a great respect for the vineyard, these methods result in elegant and expressive wines, offering a true reflection of the terroir from which they come.
Sustainable Viticulture and Winemaking at Roche
Roche Wines strongly emphasizes sustainability and organic viticulture in their vineyard management. They farm using organic methods to ensure environmental stewardship, which is vital for their family's health and the surrounding ecosystem. This approach also enhances the quality of their wines by maintaining the vineyard's natural balance. At Domaine Roche, the ungrafted vines are rooted in a mix of silt, organic matter, and gravel, benefiting from excellent drainage and ideal exposure.
Similarly, the Kozier Organic Vineyard, certified organic and situated on the Naramata Bench, takes advantage of a warm microclimate and excellent soils, allowing for long, even ripening of the grapes. This meticulous attention to organic farming practices ensures the production of pure, balanced grapes, treating the grapevine and its ecosystem as interdependent partners.
The Roche Wines Visitor Experience
Tasting Room and Atmosphere
Roche Wines offers a curated tasting experience in their intimate tasting room on the Naramata Bench, just minutes from downtown Penticton. The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., where visitors can immerse themselves in the winery's vast French roots and passion for natural, artisanal farming and winemaking.
The "Savoir-Faire" Tasting Experience, priced at $12, allows guests to taste four wines over 30 minutes, guided by a knowledgeable wine professional. This experience provides insights into the influence of grape variety, tradition, terroir, and winemaking techniques, with the tasting fee refundable upon a $50 purchase per person. While reservations are recommended, they are not mandatory, allowing flexibility for visitors to explore the unique identity of the region's wines.
Special Events
Roche Wines hosts various engaging events throughout the warmer months that showcase their wines in unique settings at the vineyard and beyond. On Sunday, July 21st, they held a "Chulo Tapas Paella Party" in their vineyard, offering a delightful evening of Pintxos, Paella, dessert, and wine. This event, priced at $65 plus tax and gratuity, included a glass of wine and allowed guests to enjoy an immersive culinary experience amidst the vines.
Additionally, Roche Wines participated in the "Sipping Around BC Dinner" on Wednesday, July 24th, at L'Abattoir Restaurant in Vancouver, where their winemakers joined those from other prestigious wineries for a five-course dinner. This event highlighted the best of Central Okanagan wines. Roche Wines also offered weekly Friday wine tastings throughout July at 124 Estabrook Ave, where attendees could sample five wines for $15 and purchase their favourites at an onsite pop-up store.
These events are an excellent way for wine enthusiasts to explore Roche Wines' offerings and experience the winery's commitment to quality and tradition.
Recognition and Awards
Roche Wines has quickly gained recognition as a leading producer in the Okanagan Valley, earning numerous awards and accolades for their wines. These honours reflect the Roches' commitment to quality and their dedication to crafting elegant and authentic wines. The recognition has helped elevate Roche Wines's profile, attracting local and international attention from wine critics and enthusiasts.
The success of Roche Wines has also contributed to the growing reputation of the Naramata Bench as a destination for high-quality, terroir-driven wines. The Roches' dedication to their craft serves as an inspiration to other winemakers in the region, helping to shape the future of the Okanagan Valley wine scene.
Conclusion
Roche Wines exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship that define the best of the Naramata Bench. From their commitment to sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention, winemaking to their dedication to producing small-lot, terroir-driven wines, everything about Roche Wines reflects the passion and expertise of its founders, Dylan and Penelope Roche. For those seeking an authentic taste of the Okanagan Valley, visiting Roche Wines offers an enriching and enjoyable experience.
