Celebrating one of BC's greatest strengths: the white blend.
Photo credit: Wines of BC
August 4th is International White Wine Day, making it the perfect excuse to celebrate one of British Columbia's greatest strengths: the white blend.
More than almost any other category, white blends showcase what BC does best. They combine freshness, complexity, and remarkable consistency, making them one of the province's defining wine styles.
From Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to the Okanagan and Shuswap, British Columbia's diverse geography, varied soils, cool climate, and pronounced day-night temperature swings create ideal conditions for white wine production. Just as importantly, those conditions don't favour a single grape variety - they favour many, giving winemakers an unusually broad palette from which to build blends. Few wine regions in the world enjoy such creative freedom.
White blends in BC aren’t a single style. They can be crisp, aromatic, textural, richer, lees-aged, and occasionally oak-influenced. The final style is shaped by the choice of grapes, and the winemaking approach. Fruity, approachable sippers are abundant, and make up the majority of this category. Increasingly in BC, we are seeing an emergence of Rhône-stye blends built on varieties like Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne, alongside a steady showing of Bordeaux-inspired whites featuring Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
When it comes to composition, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay often provide the foundation for white blends in BC, contributing citrus, orchard fruit, and texture. Viognier and Gewürztraminer lift the aromatics with floral and tropical notes and bring richness, while Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc bring bright acidity and freshness. By adjusting the proportions, winemakers can craft everything from soft, rounded wines to vibrant, energetic blends.
These wines are not random combinations of vineyard leftovers. They’re more like a carefully curated playlist, where each variety contributes something different until the finished wine becomes greater than the sum of its parts. While most are crafted by fermenting the different varietals separately and blending according to a desired outcome, the old world approach of ‘field blending’ is coming back into style. Here all the grapes are co-fermented together, resulting in less distinct character of the individual varietals, but rather more integration of aromas and flavours.
For consumers, the appeal of white blends is multifaceted. While there is much versatility in style, white blends are typically approachable by nature, offering something delicious that doesn’t require explanation. They are food friendly, dependable, and are often among a winery’s best values.
The Decanter World Wine Awards accept submissions from white blends alongside varietal wines, and many earn medals. Closer to home, both the National Wine Awards of Canada and the All Canadian Wine Championships include dedicated white blend categories, recognizing excellence regardless of price.
White blends have never enjoyed the prestige of many single-varietal wines. For years, they have quietly carried the reputation of being the winery’s ‘house white’ - easy drinking, and uncomplicated. While many still fit that role admirably and by design, today’s best examples are far more ambitious. They are thoughtfully composed wines that express place, vintage, and the winemaker’s vision just as convincingly as varietal bottlings. These wines are among the most thoughtfully crafted and consistently rewarding bottles produced in the province, and there has never been a better time to explore the category.
My reviews and scores for 16 BC white blends are featured below, covering regions from Vancouver Island, to the Okanagan (South, Central, and North), and Shuswap. The quality is remarkably consistent, with a narrow range of high scores across an impressively diverse stylistic lineup.
Review methodology: Wines may be submitted by wineries for editorial consideration. All scored wines are tasted blind whenever practical. Scores reflect my independent assessment of quality and are never guaranteed in exchange for samples.
River Stone Estate Winery 2025 Splash
Continuing the Good Neighbour series and their collaboration with Washington growers while River Stone’s vineyards recover from 2024 freeze damage, this is a blend of Okanagan and Washington Pinot Gris (44%), Sauvignon Blanc (34%), Albariño (15%), and Chenin Blanc (7%). The ripe fruit of each of these is accentuated in this juicy white - orchard fruit, citrus, melon, and blossoms. Just barely off dry and refreshing, the flavours on the finish reflect a basketful of apple varieties. Very fun to drink.
MT Rating: 88/100
See Ya Later Ranch 2024 Luna
Turning to Washington for grapes due to freeze damage in early 2024, the Riesling (65%), Gewürztraminer (25%), and Sauvignon Blanc (10%) in this blend were grown in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Vibrant and alluring on the nose, with lemon, peach, apple, pear, mandarin, and jasmine. Ripe fruit is accentuated on the off dry palate as well, where freshness and soft texture elevate this wine beyond just a simple patio sipper.
MT Rating: 88/100
Off The Grid Organic Winery 2025 Goat White Blend
The Greatest Of All Times (GOAT), named after a four-legged farm friend, blends Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Chardonnay by way of separate, stainless steel fermentation. Fruit-forward aromatics of peach, apple, melon, apricot, and white blossoms are joined by a subtle barnyard note, which is both appropriate and inoffensive. The palate is dry with good flavour concentration, fresh acidity, and an elegant finish.
MT Rating: 88/100
Black Market Wine Co. 2025 Secret Society White
The Secret Society series from Black Market invites you to experience wine like a pro taster. By not revealing the blending composition, you are forced to evaluate the wine without preconceptions. All varietals are grown in Kaleden and fermented separately in stainless steel. The wine is light and crisp, gently expressive of apple, pear, melon, peach, honeysuckle, and the greenness of under ripe plum. Soft mid-palate weight tapers off, revealing a tart frame that will pair with a variety of foods.
MT Rating: 88/100
40 Knots Winery 2024 White Seas
You haven’t tasted salt and acid until you’ve tasted coastal wines like this one. A blend of Comox estate Pinot Gris and Chardonnay (59.2% and 40.8% respectively), fermented in stainless steel and rested 11 months on lees. The numbers tell the tale (10.6g/L total acidity, 10.8% alcohol), but you can’t taste numbers. Apple, lemon, pear, and orchard blossom aromas form a crisp and delicate profile. The palate is a surge of acidity and a lesson in Comox terroir, finishing on tart citrus. Pair with acid-based foods like ceviche or Greek salad to accentuate the wine’s fruitiness.
MT Rating: 87/100
Black Widow Winery 2025 Oasis
The signature white blend from this Naramata estate is made of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Schönburger, fermented separately in stainless steel tanks. A generous offering of ripe melon, pear, apple, and kiwi is elevated with gentle blossoms. There is a richness on the palate, a flavourful centre, and round acidity, all of which lead to a dry, snappy phenolic finish.
MT Rating: 89/100
Clos du Soleil Estate Winery 2025 Fumé Blanc (Bronze, National Wine Awards of Canada)
71% Sauvignon Blanc and 29% Sémillon from Oliver are fermented separately in stainless tanks and French oak puncheons, aged 4 months on lees, and blended. Tempered by neutral oak, the varietal aromas and flavours remain pure and elegant. Passionfruit, guava, grapefruit, gooseberry, beeswax, and white blossoms. A soft style with quiet confidence, this has refreshing acidity and finishes on tart fruit and textural grip - a wine for meals. Try with Thai green curry mussels.
MT Rating: 88/100
Larch Hills Winery 2024 Sunnyside Series Northern Lights
Normally composed of five Shuswap-grown varietals: Mad Angie (Madeleine Angevine), Siegerrebe, Sémillon, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. In 2024 grapes were sourced from Washington due to freeze damage - the Sunnyside Series is Larch Hills’ ‘Crafted in BC’ line. It is still very Larch Hills in style, emphasizing ripe fruit (apple, peach, greengage, golden raisin) and spice on an off dry palate. The fruit concentration and soft, juicy texture make this an easy choice to open anytime, especially at under $20.
MT Rating: 88/100
Lunessence Estate Winery & Vineyard 2025 Field White (Bronze, National Wine Awards of Canada)
A step up in sophistication, this single-vineyard blend from the Summerland Bench estate consists of 64% Riesling, 21% Gewürztraminer, and 15% Pinot Blanc - all whole-cluster pressed, co-fermented with native yeast, and aged 4 months on lees in stainless steel and neutral French oak. The wine is a soft melee of apple, pear, citrus, blossoms, and thistle - less about distinct aromas, and more about fruit and florals melting together. Palate structure shines with a smooth, rounded feel and a mirage of perceived sweetness. Concentrated fruit flavours provide a lasting and elegant finish.
MT Rating: 89/100
Nighthawk Vineyards 2025 Viognier Roussanne Marsanne
Sourced from VRM vineyard in Osoyoos, this debut release from Nighthawk features Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne (21/52/27 split), all stainless fermented except for a portion of Roussanne in neutral oak. Roussanne and Viognier go through full malolactic conversion. Ripe apple, pear, papaya, and orchard blossoms on the nose are complemented by hazelnut cream, dandelion, and whipped marshmallow. The palate is as soft and creamy as it gets, yet retains freshness and displays good fruit/non-fruit balance through to a delicate, bitter finish. Strong potential here.
MT Rating: 88/100
Hidden Vines 2025 Farmhouse White
Estate-grown Riesling and La Crescent from the East Kelowna Slopes form this off-dry blend. These two varietals offer similar characteristics, yet with enough subtle distinction to assemble a sophisticated blend. After the nose of mango, melon, pear, mandarin, honeysuckle, and yogurt, a steely structure steps forward. Green apple acidity swells over the saline palate, heralding cool climate identity and unassuming depth. A great way to introduce a cold-hardy hybrid grape in an expressive blend.
MT Rating: 89/100
Intersection Estate Winery 2022 Mile’s Edge White
The house white from Intersection on the Golden Mile Slopes combines estate-grown Riesling (58.2%), Viognier (26.9%), and some reserve Pinot Blanc from 2020 (14.9%), allowing the wine to still be labeled a 2022 vintage. This wine features most obviously the hallmarks of Riesling, with pronounced lime, peach, petrol, honey, and jasmine. There are touches of dried lemon peel and smoke showing signs of development, and a promising future. Fresh, youthful brilliance.
MT Rating: 90/100
Moon Curser Vineyards 2025 Roussanne Marsanne (Bronze, National Wine Awards of Canada)
Planted on the Osoyoos East Bench in 2004 before it was cool, Moon Curser uses Roussanne (71%) and Marsanne (29%) for this Rhône blend. Intense South Okanagan heat and savoury nuance are on full display here, with a diverse and exciting breadth of aromas and flavours. And without any use of oak, this is all about fruit and site. Ripe melon, apple, pear, kiwi, and honeyed apricots are balanced by musk, beeswax, honeysuckle, and sage. Bright acidity balances slick texture on the palate, finishing with bitter phenolics that pair well with food. An exotic vibe with elegant execution.
MT Rating: 90/100
Rust Wine Co. 2025 White Crush (Bronze, National Wine Awards of Canada)
This blend brings together 30% Muscat, 26% Riesling, 24% Gewürztraminer, and 20% Pinot Gris. These vines are in Oliver and the Similkameen, with some being around 30 years old. Plenty of personality emanates from the glass, with intense aromas of lychee, melon, green pineapple, ginger, rose, and jasmine. The palate is off-dry, and stylistically highly approachable with soft, juicy texture and round acidity. The long finish echoes tropical fruit and florals.
MT Rating: 88/100
Deep Roots Winery 2024 R+M
A fleeting affair, the One Night Stand series is a love letter to the 2024 vintage, when Deep Roots sourced fruit from Washington due to extensive freeze damage. This Roussanne-Marsanne blend takes a very different direction, while maintaining Deep Roots’ signature full-flavoured style. A strong oxidative profile is revealed through intense citrus peel, custard, hot crossed buns, apple butter, sugar crusted pastry, and lemon curd. Fuller bodied with matching acidity, the champagne-adjacent flavours extend through a long, zippy finish. At under $20, this is an easy recommendation.
MT Rating: 89/100
Volcanic Hills Winery & Vineyard 2025 Magma White (Bronze, National Wine Awards of Canada)
An award-winning and excellent value ($20.09) blend of Pinot Gris (54%), Gewürztraminer (33%), Riesling (8%), and Viognier (6%), mostly from the West Kelowna estate. Bright, lifted aromas of apple, citrus, white peach, greengage, and tropical star fruit and lychee dazzle as florals unfurl. The harmony is complete and the flavours vibrant, with fresh acidity and a dry, saline finish. A stalwart BC blend for good reason.
MT Rating: 89/100
Blog post written by: Matt Tinney, Contributor, uncorkBC