Terravista was the second act in the wine careers of Bob and Senka Tennant. They had already created a cult red wine, Nota Bene, at Black Hills. In 2008, they turned their attention to the Naramata Bench and crisp, expressive white wines. New owners Eric and Dallas Thor continue to put the focus on unsung grape varieties not widely planted in the Okanagan.
They grow Spanish varieties like Albarino and Verdejo. But, for my money, their top whites are from Rhone varieties. Figaro is a blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, varieties which may not like the recent cold winters, but which seem to otherwise thrive in the South Okanagan. This bottling comes from two vineyards in Oliver (including the vineyard of Severine Pinte, winemaker at LaStella and Le Vieux Pin) as well as one on the Naramata Bench.
Tasting Note
A blend of Roussanne (48%), Marsanne (35%) and Viognier (17%), this has a bright, rich nose of beeswax, orange blossom, lemon, and nectarine, alongside delicate oak spice. Both the Roussanne and Marsanne were aged in a combination of French oak barrels and neutral puncheons, while the Viognier saw stainless steel. There’s a real freshness here, which isn’t always the case for this style of blend, with an oily, viscous texture that's distinctive of these varieties.
Food Pairing
Grilled nectarines with burrata or seafood paella