This wine has 'gold medal material' written all over it. I've said for many years that Merlot is an under-rated varietal on the Naramata Bench and this wine proves that point once again. An incredible showing from this varietal from this very special place in the Okanagan. Aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak, this medium to full body Merlot shines with freshness and elegance. Aromas of black cherry, currants, tobacco leaves, dark chocolate, and a hint of floral notes. The palate displays fabulous silky tannins, a layered mouthfeel, softness with no hard edges, and flavours of blue plum, black cherry, mocha, bay leaves, and very enjoyable oak spice on the lingering finish. This might be a wine to consume sooner than later, as I think it is peaking right now - but will continue to evolve for 5-7 more years. (Carl Boucher, Oct 5, 2025). 199 cases made. 

A WOW wine which not only made it into the Top 10 Red Blends of 2024 (during our live tasting marathon) but will most likely be in my Top 10 Wines of the Year overall for 2025. It keeps getting better every time I taste it. A blend of Syrah (40%), Cab Franc (40%) and Merlot (20%): it's the true definition of balance - just like it's moniker. Bright acid balanced with fruit, bold oak balanced with low alcohol, bright ripe fruit balanced with tension and incredible texture. On the nose, notes of black plum, black cherry, leather, espresso coffee and oak spice. The palate displays super-premium texture, silky tanins, and flavours of dark fruits, sage savouriness, a line of pomegranite, grilled meat and a lengthy peppery finish. With such tiny production, this wine won't be available for long. I would stock up while you can. (Carl Boucher, re-tasted Sept 30-Oct 7, 2025, tasted Dec 28, 2024). 

12 months french oak, 50% New. Only 133 cases made. 

Top 10 Finalist in Red Blends Marathon (Dec 2024). 

A textbook representation of a well aged, well made Naramata Bench Syrah. Now hitting year number eight, this wine is shining on all fronts. The oak is perfectly integrated, the tanins are soft and silky, the texture has hit 'Rockstar,' super-premium level, and the overall integration of all aspects of this wine is just perfectly pin-pointed. The aromas are a great blend of forest floor, tobacco, spice, and ripe dark fruits. Meanwhile the palate shows savouriness, softness, complexity, all leaning on meaty, dark fruits and peppery tones. The oak characteristics show from the front to back palate, while the spices have mellowed down but are still present on the finish. I can give this wine 2-3 more years in the cellar easily. Absolutely fantastic! (Carl Boucher, Oct 2, 2025). 

Yes! Naramata Bench makes incredible Syrah - and they've been doing it for over two decades. This might be one of the Okanagan's best kept secrets. Sourced from two steep west-facing vineyards on the bench, this Syrah was aged in French oak for 12 months, including 50% new oak and a co-fermentation with 5% Viognier which brings added colour and depth. Expressive bouquet of wild flowers, blueberry, blue plum, mocha and cigar box. The palate has soft texture, grainy tanins, mouth-watering acidity, and flavours of blueberry pie, blackberry, Ranier cherry, cloves, and long, lingering white pepper on the finish. Well put together, with a pure expression of Syrah in a warm and consistent vintage. (Carl Boucher, Oct 2, 2025). 514 cases made.

A spectacular Naramata Bench single vineyard Chardonnay! Fermented in barrels and aged for 9 months on it's lees in 30% new French oak, and the result? A powerful, precise, and pure wine. On the nose, aromas of white peach, lemon curd, green apple and jasmine flowers. The palate highlights layered texture, tension and precision, and flavours like lemond curd, ripe peach, almond biscotti, and a tremendous line of stoney minerality. The alcohol is very well integrated and behaves well below the 13.8% on the label. All in all, the complexity and quality is truly exceptional for the price point. Well done to winemaker Lindsay O'Rourke and viticulturist Graham O'Rourke! (Carl Boucher, Oct 5, 2025). 231 cases made. 

Gold Medal, WineAlign

What an absolute treat to taste, and as rare as it gets! Only a few parcels of Barbera grow in Canada, and Tightrope has to be one of the very best producers of it. While Barbera can be anywhere from light body to full body, this one definitely lies on the fuller body side of the scale. Rich, full of colour and personality, this wine definitely deserves it's gold medal (and 93pts from yours truly). Aromas of violets, black cherry, black currant, black tea, and loads of oak spice, including licorice, cinnamon, and pepper. The palate is dense, compact but also full of energy, and the level of acitity balances the 50% new oak gracefully. Flavours of black fruit but also a line of red currant, black cherry, dark licorice, chewy tobacco, vanilla, and a long stoney finish. The tanins are still a little stiff at the moment, but another year or two in the cellar will help. There's definitely 10+ years of cellaring potential here. Only two cases were made (1 new French oak barrel, 1 neutral barrel) and this wine-club only wine is actually sold out - except for 36 bottles the winery held back for Carl's Wine Club members! (Carl Boucher, Oct 2, 2025). 90 cases made.

This Naramata Bench Pinot Noir spent 10 months in 30% new oak, and delivers a pure, clean and medium-body expression of Naramata Pinot. The nose has a hint of earthiness and herbs, but mostly cherry and blue fruits. On the palate, full-on red cherry, blue plum, a bit of black currant, a good amount of oak spice after the mid-palate, and a tight finish at the moment which I predict with open up over time. A very pleasant discovery! A nice easy drinking Pinot. (Carl Boucher, Oct 5, 2025). 443 cases made.

What happens when you blend Naramata Bench Barbera, Cab Franc and Merlot? You get something very delicious, and unique. Winemaker Lyndsay O'Rourke has been crafting this wine for many years and it's as solid as ever in the 2022 vintage. A bouquet of perfume, crushed berries, violets, coffee, and black forest cake announces a wine with crisp black fruits. The palate displays freshness and elegance, with great, clean fruit like blueberry, blackberry, and plum, but also mocha, tobacco, and sage. The finish is vibrant and energetic with great stoney mouthfeel. A unique wine in Tightrope's spectacular line up of wines. (Carl Boucher, Dec 28, 2024, re-tasted October 7, 2025). 194 cases made.

This 100% Naramata Bench estate Riesling has aged gracefully. At 8 years in, we're seeing a wine with medium acid, and fantastic texture. In my opinion this wine is hitting it's prime at the moment. A super inviting and expressive nose of grilled pineapple, grapefruit, jasmine tea, green apple, and cardamom. The palate has a stoney expression with fluid layers of ripe fruits mingled with orchard and a hint of bright citrus. The finish is satisfyingly complex and keeps your mouth watering for more. Here's the crazy part: it just got better and better each day I tasted it after opening, telling me there's much more to come with age! (Carl Boucher, Oct 3, 2025). 

Gold, All Canadian Wine Championships 

Gold, Intervin International Wine Competition 

Best of Class, Cascadia Wine Competition

This single vineyard Riesling is an acid bomb in the best way possible, making your mouth water like a waterfall. Great texture, bone dry, and a spectacular, long, pulsing finish. On the nose, true Riesling aromas: grapefruit, starfruit, white flowers, lime and green apple. While the palate reflects the nose to a T, the finish stands out with a very long stoney expression. This version is the opposite of the spectrum from the more tropical 2017, so a side by side tasting can be an absolute pleasure! (Carl Boucher, Oct 5, 2025). 

By now you probably know the story: the 2024 vintage is nearly non-existent for most of BC due to a devastating deep freeze, so most wineries sourced grapes from elsewhere. This Sauv Blanc was sourced and carefully supervised by viticulturist and owner Graham O'Rourke from the Yakima Valley, southern Washington State. A New World Sauv Blanc with a rich and ripe fruit profile typical of warm climates. The nose is full of orchard fruits, a hint of gooseberry and grassiness, and the palate displays rich texture balanced with good acidity highlighting flavours of white peach, pear, pineapple and green fruits.  (Carl Boucher, Oct 7, 2025). 577 cases produced.