Albariño is typically grown in northwestern Spain and Portugal where the coast’s conditions are damp, cool, and humid. Albariño’s thick skins allow it to withstand these conditions but that also makes things tricky at harvest in a cooler climate. Albariño requires a longer hang time to reach ideal ripeness which presents a challenge when a fall frost sets in. This is why you don’t see Albariño planted everywhere. That all being said, the Naramata Bench is a sweet spot for this challenging grape. The moderating effect from Okanagan Lake along with excellent air drainage in the vineyards means that Terravista is able to hang its fruit for longer without risking disease pressure setting in or getting caught out by a frost.
The fruit from Terravista’s 2025 Albariño comes from 100% Certified Organic vineyards Lone Hand Ranch and Naramata Outlook Vineyards. Lone Hand Ranch, Terravista’s estate vineyard just above Naramata Road, was widely planted with Albariño in 2008. The vineyard’s southwestern slope with afternoon sun helps Albariño fully ripen, sometimes not possible in cooler climates. This slope’s till sediments and stony soils are well draining which means that the vine puts more energy towards ripening fruit rather than growing its canopy. These optimal conditions are the backbone of the crisp acidity that’s become a signature of Terravista’s Albariño. Terravista believes in Naramata Albariño so much that they planted another vineyard with it, Naramata Outlook, in 2021.
The expectations for the 2025 vintage were for a smaller crop. However, the growing season saw strong fruit-set and rapid vine growth. Without any wildfire risks or disease pressure, stunning hand-picked fruit arrived at the winery. The fruit was gently whole-cluster pressed into stainless steel for a cool fermentation. The wine was aged in one neutral oak barrique with the remaining 25% of the wine aged in a concrete egg on lees for 5 months.
Tasting Note
White peach, white flower blossom and citrus on the nose roll into savoury lemon and a distinct, saline undercurrent on the palate. For such a crisp wine, the mouthfeel is subtly sueded before a zippy finish.
Food Pairing
The saline undercurrent of Terravista’s 2025 Albariño shines with seafood pulled straight off the grill, like spot prawns tossed with lemon, olive oil and fresh parsley. With the white peach note and softly textured palate, you could also turn to a peach salad with burrata and a finish of basil to pick up on the wine’s savoury notes.