Behind the wines with Penelope & Dylan Roche

Join us to discover Roche Wines, a winery on the Naramata Bench, BC that makes highly rated wines with Bordeaux, Burgundy & Rhône varietals. 

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We recently sat down with members and winemakers Penelope and Dylan Roche to taste through a selection of their wines, and go deeper into the stories behind them.

 

After making wines in Bordeaux, Burgundy and beyond...why did they choose to make wines on the Naramata Bench?

 

Why these varietals? And what are the stories behind each wine and vintage?

 

You can see the replay of the Zoom for a limited time above, and enjoy access to library wines and Collector pricing until May 11th.

 

I hope you get a chance to discover these excellent, highly rated wines full of terroir, passion and the unmistakable character of the Okanagan and Similkameen!

 

Cheers,
Carl Boucher

Chief Wine Officer

Founder, Carl's Wine Club

Choose Your Wines Here (click or tap)
Six Bottle Roche Discovery Pack 🔥 91 to 93 points

Six Bottle Roche Discovery Pack 🔥 91 to 93 points

$220.90

 

Receive one of each of the bottles below to experience both everyday and cellar-worthy wines from Roche. This is a discovery you won't want to miss, and can easily become a favourite. 

 

2025 Roche "Artist" Pinot Gris | 91pts | $27

Crisp, balanced with great texture. This is a complex Pinot Gris and a stand-out for this varietal.

 

2025 Roche Zweigelt Rose | 91pts | $29

I really like the tannins in this rosé. Bold but well balanced, with a great fruit component and rounded out by nice acidity. Super food friendly.

 

2022 Roche Artist Pinot Noir 'Vig' | 92pts | $34

Where fruit meet earthiness, at the perfect point. This Pinot offers a lot. A stand-out vintage and great expression of the Naramata Bench. Love it!!!

 

2022 Roche Artist Cabernet Franc | 92pts | $35

True to the varietal, with Old World delivery. Nothing green, beautiful ripeness, but earthy and savoury. I’m a big fan.

 

2022 Roche "Nuances" | 90+ pts | $36

This wine is exactly what a Bordeaux ‘second label’ is supposed to deliver: delicious and approachable wine, with excellent value for dollar! Cassis, black cherry, softness and elegance.

 

2020 Roche "Château" 🔥 93pts | $59.90

This wine is just hitting it’s prime and is absolutely brilliant! Concentrated and rich, with dark cherry, sage, sweet tobacco, and a finish that keeps evolving.

 
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Here's exactly why I scored these wines the way I did (scroll to the end to place your order, or click here). 

2020 Roche "Tradition" Pinot Noir 🔥 93pts

2020 Roche "Tradition" Pinot Noir 🔥 93pts

$49.90

We have a beauty of a wine here from a spectacular vintage.

 

This single-vineyard Pinot Noir was fermented in stainless steel, spent three weeks on the skins, and then aged for 12 months in French oak.

 

The result is a really nice balance between an old-world, Burgundian and new-world. I especially like that touch of earthiness right at the beginning, and the soft texture throughout. This wine has arrived, hitting its prime window of drinkability.

 

The mid-palate has some weight and brings a bit of seriousness to the wine, while the finish continues to evolve and adds even more depth.

 

On the nose, you get a mix of earthiness, dark fruit, and a subtle herbaceous character.

The palate is rich, soft, and silky, and at this stage in its aging curve, it’s showing beautifully. Blue plum, cassis, crushed raspberry, red currant, and then the finish brings in notes of vanilla, clove, a hint of white pepper, and soft, lingering tannins.

 

The acidity is still very much alive, lifting the structure of the wine, and this is one that should easily continue to evolve over the next four years. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

223 cases produced.

93 points Carl's Wine Club

 

BC Okanagan Valley VQA Naramata Bench

100% Pinot Noir

 

Dry | RS: 1.15 g/L | 13.4% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2032

Pairings: salmon with berry glaze, duck tacos

 
2024 Roche "Tradition" Pinot Noir | 92pts
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2024 Roche "Tradition" Pinot Noir | 92pts

$49.90

With the deep freeze affecting most of the crop in the Okanagan in 2024, Roche made the decision to source fruit from the very well-known Dundee Hills AVA in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

 

Pinot Noir from that area is absolutely world-class, and this might be one of the best “BC vintage replacement” wines I’ve tasted so far.

 

This Pinot Noir is crisp, fresh, well-balanced, with a really nice level of complexity.

 

On the nose, you get a mix of red fruit, earthiness, and even a touch of ocean spray.

 

The palate sits in that mid-body range, but the real standout here is the structure and the finish. It’s incredibly long and complex, and that’s what really makes this wine special.

 

You’re getting flavours of red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, a bit of floral tone, and a light spice on the back end. A distinctive minerality appears at the end and brings more than expected. A beautiful wine, and definitely worth trying. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

92 points Carl's Wine Club

Crafted in BC

 

100% Pinot Noir

Dry | RS: 1.15 g/L | 13.4% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2032

 

Pairings: baked brie with plum chutney, herb crusted rotisserie chicken

 
2022 Roche "Tradition" Chardonnay | 92pts
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2022 Roche "Tradition" Chardonnay | 92pts

$38.90

2022 was just an outstanding year for Chardonnay and white wine in general in the Okanagan Valley. The Naramata Bench, as usual, is leading the way in terms of definition and precision.

 

Right away on the nose, you get sweet Meyer lemon, peach, yellow apple, and a nice touch of jasmine. Really clean, really expressive.

 

On the palate, this wine hits that balance I love: it’s concentrated, but still elegant. You’ve got that bright acidity, beautiful fruit coming through, very defined edges and the oak is perfectly integrated.

 

It spent 10 months in oak, with about 15% new, so you’re getting some influence but not too much. It reflects well on the finish with a nice burst of white spice.

 

This is one I’d be very happy to drink now, but I’d also be very curious to see where it goes over the next few years. (Carl Boucher, March 26, 2026).

 

367 cases produced.

 

92 points Carl's Wine Club

BC Okanagan Valley VQA Naramata Bench

100% Chardonnay

 

Dry | RS: 3.17 g/L | 13.8% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

Pairings: grilled sockeye salmon, devilled eggs
2022 Roche "Nuances" | 90+ pts

2022 Roche "Nuances" | 90+ pts

$36.00

Soft and smooth, this wine is full of elegance. 

 

On the nose, you get aromas of cassis, cedar, a hint of tobacco, along with dark fruit like black currant and ripe red cherry.

 

The Merlot brings that softness, while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and backbone to the wine. The Cabernet Franc also adds a nice touch on the finish, giving it a bit more spices and complexity.

 

Flavour-wise, you can expect cassis, black cherry, and black currant, layered with a touch of vanilla and a hint of warm spice on the back end. With 10% new French oak on the 12 months of aging, the delivery is full of energy. The tannins are light and refined, lingering nicely on a clean and elegant finish. Soft and creamy, this wine offers a good value, just like a Chateau "second label" typically does in Bordeaux. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

775 cases produced.

 

90+ points Carl's Wine Club

BC VQA Okanagan Valley 

47% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc

 

Dry | RS: 2.2 g/L | 13.5% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2029

 

Pairings: baked lasagna, seared duck breast with cherry sauce
2022 Roche "Château" 🔥 92+pts | Exclusive Pre-Release

2022 Roche "Château" 🔥 92+pts | Exclusive Pre-Release

$59.90

The 2022 vintage is cut from the same cloth as the 2020 Château. Although made from only Merlot and Cab Sauv, this pre-release shows tremendous potential.

 

While still very young and in its early stages, this wine may show even more power and definition than its predecessor. 

 

On the nose, you get aromas of blue and black fruits… blueberry, black cherry, blackcurrant…along with tobacco, kirsch, dark chocolate and a hint of graphite.

 

On the palate, the wine is still tight, tense, and compact, but I have a feeling this one will age beautifully over the next five to seven years plus.

 

Flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry, a touch of red cherry liqueur, sweet tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate are all on full display.

 

The finish brings plenty of oak spice, lingering on a very long, evolving finish.

 

The tannins are still firm, the acidity is bright and crisp…everything here points to a wine that’s built for the cellar. Give it a good decant before serving. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

400 cases produced.

92+ points Carl's Wine Club

BC VQA Okanagan Valley 

86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Dry | RS: 2.2 g/L | 14.4% ABV | Drink from 2027 to 2032

 

Pairings: grilled beef tenderloin with red wine and mushroom sauce, slow braised lamb shank
2020 Roche "Château" 🔥 93pts | Exclusive Release

2020 Roche "Château" 🔥 93pts | Exclusive Release

$59.90

From the spectacular 2020 vintage, this wine is absolutely outstanding. Concentrated, rich, and bold, it’s now entering its prime drinking window. Merlot is dominating the blend, and this is now aproachable with great layers and depth.

 

On the nose, you get cassis, blackcurrant, dark cherry, a hint of fresh herbs, along with vanilla, cedar box and pipe tobacco.

 

On the palate, the entry is fruit-driven, with great texture and impressive complexity. Flavours of dark cherry, blackcurrant, sage, sweet tobacco leaf, and black plum.

 

The mid-palate has just the right weight, and the acidity sits at a perfect level, keeping everything lifted and balanced.

 

The back palate shows a nice amount of well-integrated oak, from 14 months of aging with 30% new barrels, and the finish lingers with a beautiful evolution of spice and fine tannin. This is a brilliant wine! (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

431 cases produced. 

93 points Carl's Wine Club

BC VQA Okanagan Valley

54% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc

 

Dry | RS: 2.2 g/L | 13.6% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2032

 

Pairings: beef Wellington, pot roast with carrot and slow cooked potatoes
2021 Roche Syrah 🔥 94pts
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2021 Roche Syrah 🔥 94pts

$62.52

What a spectacular wine, and definitely a candidate for my Top 10 Wines of the Year!

 

This tiny batch of 100% Similkameen Syrah is very classic for the sub-region: rugged, dusty, and rustic. The wine was fermented and aged in oak, with a third new, a third second-fill, and a third neutral barrels: a really nice balance.

 

On the nose, you get aromas of violet, smoked meat, cassis, dark plum and dark cherry, licorice with vanilla and oak spice already starting to express themselves.

 

On the palate, it all comes together beautifully… meatiness, dark fruit, spice, minerality, all built around a generous but well-managed oak profile. It is generous but precise and spectacularly complex. The finish is really the standout here… long, evolving, and very compelling.

 

At 14%, it has that classic texture and structure you expect from Similkameen Syrah. Helped by the diurnal shift of the region, this is a wine that should easily age for over a decade.

 

An absolute beauty. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

70 cases produced.

94 points Carl's Wine Club

 

BC VQA Similkameen Valley 

100% Syrah

 

Dry | RS: 0.9 g/L | 14.0% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2032

Pairings: BBQ ribs, wild rice and bacon stuffed red pepper

 
2022 Roche Viognier-Marsanne | 91pts

2022 Roche Viognier-Marsanne | 91pts

$37.90

This wine shows a beautiful balance between texture and energy.

 

With 90% Viognier, the winemaker has done a great job preserving the acidity, which really keeps the wine lifted and energetic. This is not always easy with Viognier.

 

On the nose, you get a nice mix of white flowers, like jasmine, along with honeycomb, orange blossom, sweet lemon curd, ginger, and poached yellow apple, all coming through in a really nice sequence.

 

The palate sits in that medium bodied range, with flavours of peach, Asian pear, honeycomb, orange peel, even a touch of blood orange flesh, with plenty of apricot showing up through the mid-palate. The finish stays bright, lightly spiced, with just a touch of new oak coming through on the back end. Slightly more simple that the Roussanne, but  delicious nonetheless. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

220 cases produced.

 

91 points Carl's Wine Club

BC Okanagan Valley 

89% Viognier, 11% Marsanne

 

Dry | RS: 1.2 g/L | 14.0% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

Pairings: grilled chicken breast, linguine with creamy mushroom sauce

 
2022 Roche Roussanne 🔥 93pts

2022 Roche Roussanne 🔥 93pts

$39.90

This is a rare 100% Roussanne, sourced entirely from a single vineyard on the Naramata Bench. This wine is intriguing, cerebral, and extremely complex.

 

On the nose, you get aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, yellow fruit, apricot, and orange peel.

 

On the palate, it’s powerful and well-defined, with a nice edge of minerality. The mid-palate brings flavours of grilled pineapple, apricot, and lemon meringue, followed by a generous amount of white spice on a spectacular chalky finish.

 

With 35% new oak and nine months of aging, the wine has great texture, but the acidity is still very present, keeping everything "up right" and balanced. The concentration of flavours is very noticeable. This is a wine that should age beautifully over the next decade.

 

Definitely one to try, and truly worth picking up a few extra bottles to see how it evolves. It should be a lot of fun. (Carl Boucher, March 28, 2026).

 

150 cases produced.

93 points Carl's Wine Club

 

BC Okanagan Valley

100% Roussanne

 

Dry | RS: 0.8 g/L | 13.5% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

Pairings: creamy Thai coconut milk mussels, seafood ceviche

Exclusive releases, member pricing and more available until May 11! Limited releases may run out earlier. Don't miss it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this work?

Carl's Wine Club is Canada's first pan-Canadian, direct-to-consumer wine club.

 

Being a member of the wine club is FREE and you have access to our informative emails and our live virtual events with Carl to learn more about Canadian wineries.

 

We feature a different Canadian winery every 1-2 weeks with a specially curated mix of wines. You choose if and how much wine to purchase, with winery direct pricing and shipping deals. 

 

On Wednesdays (yes Wine Wednesdays!) we also go LIVE on our social media platforms to chat about Canadian wine and often interview winemakers. Cheers!

How does shipping work?

The wineries ship these wines to you via couriers like Canada Post, UPS, Purolator, ATS or GLS and the wines arrive right to your doorstep! No need to spend time or gas or manpower to visit a store.

 

Your wines will ship within 1-2 weeks of your order date, as wineries ship out our club orders all together in a few batches. You'll receive a tracking number from our system and sometimes also from the winery's system.

 

Someone over the legal drinking age must be present at the time of delivery and provide ID to the delivery driver (this is a legal requirement). Please do your best to ensure that an adult is available to receive the order on the anticipated delivery date.

What if there's a problem with my order or wines?

We will be very happy to assist you if there are any issues, and find a suitable solution. Please contact us at carl@carlswineclub.com or call 587-899-8249.