Penticton: Naramata Bench Full Day Guided Wine Tour

Naramata Bench is where the Okanagan’s big views meet serious wine country. In six hours, you visit five wineries, taste about 20 to 25 wines, and ride between them without worrying about driving after the tasting. I especially like the small set of five stops, which gives each winery room to breathe, and the lake and mountain views that turn even a tasting room visit into a proper Okanagan outing.

The guides are another strong point. Vicky, Don, Murray, and Steeve have all earned warm praise for being friendly, attentive, and fun. One thing to consider is food: lunch is reserved and usually costs $20 to $40 extra, but there are no included snacks between tastings, so you may want to bring something small.

Key points to know before booking

• Five wineries in one day: Visit Ruby Blues, Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze, Bench 1775, and Three Sisters.
• About 20 to 25 tastings: The selection includes bold reds along with white, rosé, and sparkling wines.
• Lunch at a scenic restaurant: Expect about 90 minutes at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze or another selected local dining spot.
• Pickup across the Okanagan: Service is offered from Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.
• No driving or line-waiting: Your guide handles the route and reservations in a new air-conditioned vehicle.
• Best for adults who enjoy a full wine day: Participants must be at least 19, and the tour is not suitable during pregnancy.

Why the Naramata Bench makes a good wine day

The Naramata Bench sits among the Okanagan foothills, with vineyards looking toward Okanagan Lake and the mountains. More than 40 wineries operate in the area, so a guided route is useful. You get a taste of the region without spending your day studying maps, calling wineries, or trying to decide which road to take next.

This area is especially appealing if you like red wine. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are important parts of the local selection, and the tour is designed to include plenty of substantial reds. You will also find white, rosé, and sparkling wines, so the day is not limited to one style.

I like the balance here. The tour gives you enough tastings to learn what the Bench does well, but it also leaves time at each stop to ask questions, walk around, take pictures, and buy bottles. You are not simply being rushed from one counter to the next.

The views matter, too. A wine tour can become repetitive if every stop feels like another room with a tasting bar. On the Bench, the lake and mountain setting gives each visit a different sense of place. Bring a phone or camera, but keep some attention on the wine. The scenery is a fine bonus, not the whole point.

Starting the day with hotel pickup

Pickup is available from eight areas: Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included, which is a major part of the tour’s value.

The listed route begins with about 45 minutes in the van before the first winery. That ride gives you time to settle in and see more of the Okanagan, though the exact start time depends on your pickup point and the day’s schedule. You should be ready 15 minutes before the confirmed pickup time. The final pickup time is sent by text the day before.

The vehicle is described as a new luxury, air-conditioned touring van. That matters in the Okanagan, where a summer wine day can be warm. Unlimited bottled water is included, a small but welcome detail when you are tasting wine for several hours.

The vehicle is not a place for continued drinking. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed inside, and smoking is also prohibited. That is sensible, especially on a full day with several winery visits.

Ruby Blues Winery starts the tasting route

The first listed winery is Ruby Blues Winery, with about 45 minutes for wine tasting. Starting here gives you a proper first stop rather than beginning with a rushed sample before lunch.

At each winery, the schedule allows time to taste, ask questions, look around, take pictures, and purchase bottles. The exact wines available can change, so you should think of the stop as an introduction to the winery’s current selection rather than a guaranteed list of particular bottles.

This is also when your guide can help set the tone for the day. Guides such as Vicky, Don, Murray, and Steeve have been praised for their kindness, humor, and attention to the group. If you have a strong preference for reds, whites, sparkling wine, or a particular grape, say so early. A good guide can help you pay closer attention to the wines that suit you.

Nichol Vineyard gives you a quick second look

A five-minute ride brings you to Nichol Vineyard for another 45-minute tasting. The short transfer keeps the day moving without wasting much time on the road.

Two early tastings can be useful for comparison. Rather than judging each wine on its own, you can begin noticing how different producers handle similar grapes and styles. If you are new to wine tasting, this is where simple notes can help. Write down the name of a wine you like, why you liked it, and whether it was red, white, rosé, or sparkling.

The pace is active. Five wineries and 20 to 25 tastings over six hours is a full program, not a lazy afternoon with one glass of wine. You should expect plenty of variety, but not unlimited time at any one property.

Lake Breeze combines wine with lunch

Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room is only about two minutes from the previous stop, followed by another 45-minute tasting. That close spacing is practical: you spend less time in the van and more time at the wineries.

The day then allows about 90 minutes for lunch at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze. This is one of the most useful parts of the schedule because it gives you a real break before the final two tastings. Lunch is not included in the tour price, and the expected cost is $20 to $40.

Several dining choices may be used on the Bench. The Patio at Lake Breeze focuses on farm-to-table food and has vineyard and valley views. Hillside Bistro offers upscale organic fare. Wesbert Winery is known for pizza on its patio, while The Bench Patio Bistro at Bench 1775 serves Asian fusion with lake views.

The exact dining location is important to confirm when you book or receive your final details. In all cases, plan your budget for lunch and do not assume that food is covered by the $138 tour price.

I would also bring a small snack if you need regular food during the day. Bottled water is included, but snacks are not. The long lunch helps, yet there is a fair gap between tastings for some people.

Bench 1775 brings the afternoon back to wine

After lunch, the van takes about 10 minutes to Bench 1775 Winery. The tasting lasts around 45 minutes.

This is a good point in the schedule for a change of pace. By now, you have sampled several producers and can ask more focused questions. You may find that you prefer the Bench’s reds, or you may discover that the white and sparkling wines are more to your taste than expected.

Bench 1775 is also associated with a scenic patio dining option, so the area fits the tour’s main pattern: wine, views, and time outdoors. You will have an opportunity to take more photos and shop for bottles before moving on.

One practical note: five tastings can make the afternoon feel long if you normally drink very little. Take advantage of the water in the vehicle, eat lunch, and use the tasting as an opportunity to sample rather than finish every pour.

Three Sisters Winery closes the five-stop route

The final winery is Three Sisters Winery, reached after about five minutes in the van. The tasting lasts another 45 minutes.

Ending with a full tasting stop is better than squeezing in a quick final sample on the way back. You still have time to ask questions and decide which bottles, if any, you want to purchase. If you have been keeping notes, this is a useful moment to compare your favorites from the day.

After Three Sisters, the return drive takes about 45 minutes. Drop-off is available in the same broad group of areas, including Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.

The route is long enough to feel like a full day out, but the six-hour duration keeps it manageable for most people who want a focused wine experience rather than a multi-day wine holiday.

What the $138 price really covers

At $138 per person, the important question is not simply how many tastings you receive. It is how much work the price removes from your day.

The fee includes hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off, all tasting fees, winery reservations, guided transportation, unlimited bottled water, and wine concierge service. You also avoid driving between five wineries, arranging a designated driver, and waiting for space at each tasting room.

The included reservations have real value during busy periods. The Naramata Bench is a popular wine area, and a planned route gives you a better chance of keeping the day on schedule. You can also buy wine without needing to figure out how to transport it while driving yourself.

Lunch is the main extra expense. Add $20 to $40 for the meal, and remember that wine purchases are separate. Even so, the total can be reasonable if you would otherwise pay for transportation, tasting fees, and a private driver.

This is not the cheapest way to taste one or two wineries. It makes more sense if you want five stops, pickup service, a guide, and a full regional overview in one day.

The guides shape the experience

The strongest personal detail in this tour is the guide service. Vicky is described as attentive, respectful, kind, and good at explaining the area’s history. Don is presented as outgoing and engaging. Murray receives praise as a capable host, and Steeve is described as an excellent guide.

You should not assume you will receive a particular guide unless the operator confirms it. Still, the repeated emphasis on friendly hosting suggests that the guide is not merely a driver. The guide manages the timing, handles reservations, keeps water available, and helps the day feel relaxed.

A guide also helps with the social side of a shared tour. The group may include people with different wine preferences and different levels of experience. A considerate host can keep the day comfortable for both the serious wine fan and the person who simply wants a pleasant Okanagan outing.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this tour if you are staying in the Okanagan and want to see the Naramata Bench without renting a car. It is also a good fit for couples, friends, and small groups who want a complete wine day with a meal break and scenic stops.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy red wines, especially Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Syrah. Still, the presence of white, rosé, and sparkling wines gives the tour wider appeal.

This is less suitable if you prefer complete freedom at each winery. The route is planned, and the tasting windows are about 45 minutes each. It is also not suitable for anyone under 19 or for pregnant participants.

The tour may not suit people who need frequent food throughout the day. Lunch is included in the schedule, but the meal costs extra and snacks are not provided. Bring a small snack if that helps you, but remember that alcohol is not allowed in the van.

Should you book the Naramata Bench wine tour?

Book it if you want five wineries, included tasting fees, scenic views, hotel pickup, and a guide who handles the day’s practical details. The route gives you a broad taste of the Bench without forcing you to choose every stop yourself.

Skip it if you want a private itinerary, a slow visit to only one or two wineries, or a tour with lunch included in the base price. For most wine-focused visitors, though, $138 is fair for the transport, reservations, tastings, and six-hour schedule.

The best way to enjoy it is simple: eat breakfast, bring a small snack, drink the supplied water, take notes on the wines you like, and leave room in your budget for lunch and bottles. If your Okanagan plans include wine, this is a practical way to make the Naramata Bench the centerpiece of your day.

FAQ

How long is the Naramata Bench wine tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including transportation, five winery visits, lunch time, and hotel drop-off.

How many wineries do you visit?

You visit five wineries: Ruby Blues Winery, Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room, Bench 1775 Winery, and Three Sisters Winery.

How many wine tastings are included?

The tour includes approximately 20 to 25 tastings across the five wineries.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is scheduled for about 90 minutes and costs approximately $20 to $40.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel or accommodation are included in the tour.

Are tasting fees included?

Yes. All tasting fees are included.

What should I know about the vehicle?

You travel in a new air-conditioned touring vehicle, and unlimited bottled water is provided. Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed inside.

Can people under 19 join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for people under 19. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.