Guide to 8 Incredible Naramata Bench Wineries
Okanagan wine lovers, welcome to our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench Wineries! Only a 10 minute drive from the city of Penticton, the Naramata Bench is home to some of the best wineries in the valley.
One of the most densely populated strips of wineries in all the land, the Naramata Bench is a slice of heaven for those seeking high quality wines in an idyllic setting. Natural beauty abounds here, and warmer daily temperatures converge with cooler nights to set the stage for ideal grape growing conditions. If you are traveling to the Okanagan, consider the Naramata Bench a must visit destination. Today, we have identified 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries to help you navigate the wine scene on arrival!
Bench 1775 Winery
First up on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench Wineries is Bench 1775 Winery. Panoramic views of Okanagan Lake are just the beginning at Bench 1775 Winery. While visitors may flock for the winery’s out-of-this-world setting, those in the know come for their top notch wines. Structured, complex red wines have made a name for themselves country wide, while vibrant whites round out their stellar portfolio.
After a tasting of their extensive portfolio, you’ll want to check out their on site Asian fusion bistro, which features fun sharable tapas like dim sum and tasty dishes like Korean BBQ beef tacos
Three Sisters Winery
Nothing tugs at the heartstrings like a great family story, and Three Sisters Winery delivers on all fronts. Husband and wife duo Rebecca and Matthew produced their first vintage in their parents’ barn back in 2014. With the unwavering support of friends and family, they opened Three Sisters Winery in 2016, aptly named after the fact that both have a trio of sisters in their family.
Their impressive portfolio of wines includes a “Matriarch” line, nodding to the strong mothers in the family. Meanwhile, in the tasting room you’ll find beautiful artwork, crafts, and exquisite silk kimonos handmade by one of the sisters. A visit to the Naramata Bench wouldn’t be complete without Three Sisters, which is why it lands on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench Wineries
Wesbert Winery
Serving up South African hospitality is what the folks at Wesbert Winery do best! Next up on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries, Wesbert Winery has become a local favourite spot, not only for their unique varietals, but also their delicious wood fired pizzas. Letting the fruit speak for itself, Wesbert Winery has a reputation for producing well balanced, full flavoured, versatile wines, great for any occasion.
We love their light and easy drinking Gamay, while those looking for a full bodied red should opt for their Wise Guy Red. This high tannin Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend boasts black fruits, making it the perfect accompaniment for prime rib roast, and an excellent candidate for cellaring. Come for the wine, stay for the hospitality, and you’ll understand why Wesbert Winery earns its place on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries.
Lake Breeze Vineyards
Celebrated for their collection of clean, refreshing, fruit driven wines, Lake Breeze Vineyards is up next on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries. Taking inspiration from the cottage country atmosphere of years gone by, Lake Breeze has has grown into a serene countryside setting you’ll want to spend the entire day exploring.
Opening their very own farmstead in 2021, Lake Breeze welcomes guests to explore the orchards, vegetable and herb gardens, chickens and pigs, all on site. As such, Lake Breeze provides the most authentic farm-to-table experience on the Naramata Bench, where diners will be delighted by the culinary creations at their Patio Restaurant. Organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs are incorporated into each dish, thoughtfully composed to pair perfectly with their wines.
With panoramic views over the vineyard and mountains, accompanied by a gentle breeze coming off the lake, we love everything about Lake Breeze Vineyards, and have a feeling you will too.
Chain Reaction Winery
The Naramata Bench is home to its fair share of sprawling estate wineries, but has also embraced a handful of quaint, family-run wineries. Next on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries is Chain Reaction Winery, owned and operated by husband and wife Joel and Linda.
Avid cyclists turned vineyard owners and winemakers, their dreams became reality in 2018 when they abandoned their Vancouver-based technology jobs and moved to the Okanagan for sunnier skies. Today, Chain Reaction offers an exceptional portfolio of wines including chardonnay, riesling, gewürztraminer, pinot gris, pinot noir, and cabernet franc.
Most recently, they have expanded to offer wood fired pizzas. Applying the same scientific rigour that he did to his technology past, Joel has virtually become a pizzaiolo, mastering the art of authentic Neapolitan style pizza making. Their lovely patio boasts sweeping views of the vineyards and lake below, making it the perfect setting to enjoy pizza and a glass of wine.
Hillside Winery
The winemaking philosophy at Hillside Winery is simple: grow the best quality fruit possible, pick at optimum ripeness, ferment cool, and intervene with nature only when necessary. Easy as that! Simple, elegant wines are the mission at Hillside Winery, resulting in intensely aromatic and flavourful white wines and rich, classic, award-winning red wines.
Their winery bistro focuses on small plates, allowing guests to indulge in a fun sharing experience. Terroir-to-table cuisine at its finest, guests are encouraged to sit back, slow down and share. Hillside Winery is a staple on the Naramata Bench wine scene, and certainly belongs on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries.
Ruby Blues Winery
A visit to the Naramata Bench wouldn’t be complete without a boutique winery, and what better example than Ruby Blues Winery. Remaining boutique in every sense of the word, Ruby Blues has maintained a small, tight-knit team and has also continued to produce small lot wines.
Packing big punch in small quantities, Ruby Blues works hard to stay small, and continues to enjoy a loyal fan base. Bringing the best of the sixties with them, the team at Ruby Blues embraces peace and harmony, proclaiming, “Make Wine, Not War.” They celebrate this concept with their Peace & Love & Bubbles, an incredible frizzante style rosé perfect for sharing with loved ones. With an eye on the prize of those things that matter most (peace, love, and tasty wine, of course), Ruby Blues is a mainstay on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries.
Black Widow Winery
Family owned and operated, Black Widow Winery lands next on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries. Their low intervention philosophy in wine making means that quality grapes are of paramount importance. Single vineyard, small lot wines are the focus, and production averages around 2,800 cases per year.
Built along a steep hillside, the winery sprawls across 5 levels, allowing gravity to gently move wine during production. Black Widow has become well known and respected for their full bodied, broody red wines, including their Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Their rich and complex red blends have garnered a loyal following, earning them their spot on our guide to 8 incredible Naramata Bench wineries.
In an endless ocean of choice along the Naramata Bench, it’s not always easy to distinguish the best of the best. Although it’s hard to go wrong in Naramata, the locations on our guide to 8 Incredible Naramata Bench wineries stand out above the rest, delivering exceptional quality wines and tasting experiences, warm hospitality, and consistency.
What transportation options exist for wine tours around the Naramata Bench?
Vivid Tours includes all transportation on their Naramata Bench wine tours. Guests enjoy riding in luxurious, 2025 Mercedes Benz Sprinter or Ford Transit passenger vans with leather interior and high roof for comfort.
What are the typical group sizes for guided Naramata Bench wine tours?
Vivid Tours hosts group wine tours along the Naramata Bench in 14 passenger luxury vehicles. Most tours include 6-12 people, however weekends in the summer season (June – September) typically sell out of all seats.
Each with their own unique story to tell, the wineries we’ve outlined here pride themselves on highlighting Naramata’s special terroir in each and every bottle. You’re in good company on the Naramata Bench, and we hope you enjoy these incredible wineries as much as we do!
For wine lovers looking to experience the Naramata Bench at its best, please check out our selection of Naramata Bench wine tours.
