Spring Release 2025

Roche Wines is proud to announce the spring release of three wines made from Oregon grapes grown by long-time friend, Russell Gladhart, and close neighbouring connections. The fruit was sourced from three meticulously tended vineyards in Dundee Hills, one of the Willamette Valley’s most widely recognized sub-AVAs.

In January 2024, a flow of Arctic air brought temperatures as cold as -27°C to the Naramata Bench. Although the vineyards survived the extreme cold event, the resulting bud damage meant a devastating loss of the 2024 crop. The Roches jumped at the possibility of working with fruit from one of their favourite regions: Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Roche’s vignerons, Pénélope and Dylan Roche, have always worked with small lots, directly with the vineyard. Even in an unprecedented year like 2024, they wanted to continue that close working relationship. As the Roches put it, “When the opportunity came up to explore other regions, Dundee Hills was the first place we thought of. It’s just like Burgundy but with an ocean influence, capable of producing elegant, mineral-driven wines. And, naturally, we then immediately thought of our old friend, Russell.”

In 2003, when Dylan was studying viticulture and oenology in the heart of Burgundy, he met Russell Gladhart, a classmate in the winemaking program. They became fast friends. Dylan was best man at Russell’s wedding the following summer. Newly married, Russell and his wife, Delphine, left Burgundy to help Russell’s parents establish a winery in Oregon’s Dundee Hills AVA, on land farmed by their family since 1961.

Dundee Hills AVA is defined by its distinctive Jory soil — a well-draining, red volcanic clay soil formed from ancient basalt lava flows. Through Russell and his neighbouring friends, Pénélope and Dylan were thrilled to work with pristine fruit from such a well-respected region. Dylan was so committed to seeing the grapes in person that he went with a broken foot in August, before returning with Pénélope again in September.

This level of care and attention is reflected in the wine’s transparent labelling. The labels clearly state where the fruit is sourced from, putting emphasis on the vineyard and the relationships the Roches nurtured. The wine was made and bottled at Roche’s Naramata Bench winery.

The 2024 Pinot Blanc comes from Russell Gladhart’s Winter’s Hill Estate Vineyard in Oregon’s Dundee Hills AVA. Having struggled to source Pinot Blanc in the Okanagan for years, the Roches were excited to work with this Burgundian variety in the Willamette Valley. As part of Roche’s Artist Series, the labels were created in collaboration with Canadian artist Sarah Carlson. Only 320 cases were produced.

The 2024 Pinot Gris comes from Miranda Vineyard in Dundee Hills. Pinot Gris has earned the reputation as one of the flagship white varieties of both the Okanagan and Oregon. As part of Roche’s Artist Series, the labels were created in collaboration with Canadian artist Marina Billinghurst. Only 460 cases were produced.

The 2024 Tradition Rosé fruit again comes from Russell’s Winter’s Hill Estate Vineyard. It’s a departure from Roche’s typical rosé, based on Zweigelt. Pénélope and Dylan are exacting about the fruit they use for rosé and were delighted at the opportunity to make a rosé from Pinot Noir for the first time. Only 455 cases were produced.

For six generations, Pénélope Roche’s family-owned Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, an exquisite estate in the Graves appellation of Bordeaux, France. When the winery was sold in 2010, Pénélope and Dylan Roche, both French-trained viticulturists and winemakers, decided to create their own boutique winery. Dylan, being Vancouver-born, had been following the rise of Okanagan wines. Pénélope and Dylan decided to put down new roots on the Naramata Bench, arriving from France in May 2011. 2024 wasn’t the first time that Roche’s winemakers and vignerons have had to set their eyes on bringing out the best of a new (to them) region. But hopefully it’s the last.

Roche’s 2024 spring releases will be available beginning April 1st direct from the winery and through fine restaurants and retailers.