A Rare Find - Roussanne in the Okanagan Valley

Lake Breeze Alize Roussanne 2020

I wasn’t expecting to find Roussanne growing in British Columbia. This white grape is native to France’s Rhône Valley and is notoriously picky - low-yielding, prone to rot and fussy about climate. You’ll rarely see it outside the Rhône, let alone grown solo. So when I saw a bottle of Lake Breeze’s Alizé Roussanne from the Naramata Bench, I did a double take. Of course, curiosity got the better of me and I’m so glad it did.

Lake Breeze is a winery I’ve known and respected for years, yet somehow this was my first time tasting their Roussanne. It’s part of their Cellar Series, a tier of small-production wines named after different winds. Alizé is the French word for trade wind. A nod to the breezes that sweep across the lake and play a key role in keeping delicate grapes like Roussanne healthy.

The wine is made entirely from Roussanne, which is rare even in France where it’s typically blended with Marsanne or Viognier. That makes this BC expression all the more impressive.

In the glass, it pours a pale straw gold. On the nose, you’ll find aromas of apricot, meyer lemon and spring blossoms. The palate is dry, silky and medium-bodied with notes of honeycomb, chamomile and ripe nectarine. A whisper of fresh herbs, something like tarragon or dill, lingers on the finish along with that luxurious, oily texture? Classic Roussanne.

Lake Breeze has been a pillar of the Naramata Bench since 1995. The current owners, Barbara and Drew MacIntyre, are originally from Calgary, and their winemaking team of Garron Elmes and Victor Costa bring a wealth of experience and a steady hand. Garron, originally from Cape Town, has been with the winery for 30 years.

This is not a common grape in Canada. It takes a precise site and serious skill to coax Roussanne to full ripeness. The Naramata Bench offers the extended sunshine and dry breezes this grape craves and the result is a wine that feels both elegant and quietly adventurous.

If you’re a white wine lover looking for something a little different or a red wine drinker open to richer whites, this Roussanne is absolutely worth exploring. Try it with lobster, creamy risotto or roasted vegetables. I’ll be pouring it with Easter dinner.

To hear more, listen to the full conversation from my CBC Radio House Wine column from April 11, 2025 on The Homestretch.