Penticton: Naramata Bench Full Day Guided Wine Tour

The Naramata Bench is wine country with a view. This six-hour trip takes you to five wineries, from small vineyard stops to a full lunch at Lake Breeze, with Okanagan mountains and Okanagan Lake often filling the background. You get roughly 20 to 25 tastings without having to drive between them.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that tasting fees and reservations are included. I also like the mix of wines: bold reds such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, along with white, rosé, and sparkling bottles. The main drawback is simple: lunch costs another $20 to $40, and five wineries in six hours can feel full if you prefer slow, lingering visits.

Key points at a glance

• Five wineries in one day: Ruby Blues, Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze, Bench 1775, and Three Sisters make up a varied Naramata Bench route.
• About 20 to 25 tastings: The selection suits red-wine drinkers, but whites, rosé, and sparkling wines are part of the day too.
• Lunch at Lake Breeze: You get about 90 minutes at The Farmstead, with the cost of food paid separately.
• Guides who set the tone: Vicky, Don, Steve, and Murray have all led this tour, with special praise for their warm, attentive hosting.
• No need to drive: Pickup and drop-off are offered across Penticton, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Naramata, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.
• Good value at $138: Tastings, transport, reservations, water, and guiding are included, but budget extra for lunch and wine purchases.

Why the Naramata Bench makes a good wine day

The Naramata Bench sits among the Okanagan foothills, about 50 minutes south of Kelowna by the stated route. Its appeal is not only the wine. You are also here for the broad views toward the lake and mountains, the sunny setting, and the chance to visit wineries that feel smaller and more personal than a large commercial tasting room.

The area has more than 40 wineries, so five stops give you a useful sample without trying to cover the entire district. I like this kind of route because you can compare different winemaking styles in one day, then decide which bottles deserve room in your luggage.

The region is especially attractive if you like full-bodied reds. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are among the key varieties associated with the route, though the tasting lineup can also include crisp whites, rosé, and sparkling wines. That wider range matters if your group has mixed tastes.

The views are a major part of the experience. Each stop allows time to taste, ask questions, walk around the property, take pictures, and shop. Bring a phone or camera, but do not let the photo stops crowd out the tasting room conversations. The best value here comes from using the guide and winery staff to understand what makes each bottle different.

A smooth start from Penticton or nearby

The tour offers pickup and drop-off at hotels or accommodations in eight areas: Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission. That broad service area is useful if you are staying outside Penticton, although the exact pickup time depends on your location and route.

You should be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled time. The stated time is a guideline, and the final pickup time is confirmed by text the day before. That is a small but important detail, especially if you are staying in Kelowna or another community farther from the Bench.

The first drive is listed at about 45 minutes. It gives you time to settle into the new air-conditioned touring vehicle before the tastings begin. Unlimited bottled water is included, which is welcome on a warm Okanagan day.

Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. That rule is sensible, and it keeps the ride comfortable between stops. The tour is conducted in English, with a live guide throughout the day.

Ruby Blues Winery starts the tasting route

The first tasting stop is Ruby Blues Winery, with about 45 minutes set aside. Starting here gives you a proper first look at the Naramata Bench before the schedule picks up.

A 45-minute visit is enough for a guided tasting, a few questions, and some time to look around. It is not a long winery stay, so I would avoid arriving with a long shopping list. Focus first on learning what you like, then return to purchases later if the tour allows.

The first tasting also sets your pace for the day. Wine can arrive quickly when several stops are scheduled, so use the water provided and take your time with each pour. You do not have to buy at every winery.

Nichol Vineyard offers a quick second stop

Nichol Vineyard is only about five minutes away, and the visit lasts roughly 45 minutes. The short transfer keeps the day efficient and limits time spent in the vehicle.

This is one of the route’s smaller jumps, which means the schedule can give more attention to the wineries themselves. You will have time to taste and ask questions, but again, this is a planned stop rather than an open-ended afternoon.

A useful strategy is to compare the two opening tastings. Pay attention to how the reds differ in body, fruit, and finish. If your group includes people who prefer lighter wines, use this stop to see what white or rosé choices are available.

Lake Breeze combines wine with the best lunch break

Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room follows, with around 45 minutes for wine tasting. The next stop is The Farmstead at Lake Breeze, where lunch takes about an hour and a half.

This is the day’s most relaxed pause. The Farmstead focuses on farm-to-table food and has views over the vineyard and valley. Lunch is not included in the $138 price, so plan on spending approximately $20 to $40 for the meal.

That extra cost is reasonable for a proper break, especially because the day includes five tasting rooms. You should not think of lunch as a quick sandwich stop. The 90-minute allocation gives you time to eat, enjoy the setting, and reset before the afternoon tastings.

Other dining choices on the Bench include Hillside Bistro, Wesbert Winery’s patio, and The Bench Patio Bistro at Bench 1775. The exact lunch reservation described for this route is at The Farmstead or another local favourite dining spot, so your final venue may depend on the operating schedule and tour arrangements. Confirm the lunch location if it matters to your planning.

The lunch stop also solves one of the day’s few weaknesses. There are no snacks included between tastings, and one person specifically wished for something small to eat during the route. Eat breakfast before pickup, and consider bringing a snack if permitted by the tour arrangements. Do not bring alcohol into the vehicle.

Bench 1775 brings the lake views back

After lunch, the van travels about 10 minutes to Bench 1775 Winery for another 45-minute tasting. The winery’s Bench Patio Bistro is known for panoramic lake views and Asian fusion food, although lunch on this itinerary is scheduled earlier at The Farmstead.

This stop is a good reminder that the Naramata Bench is as much about setting as it is about wine. You can expect another chance to take pictures, sample the current selection, and browse bottles without worrying about driving afterward.

Because the route features several reds, ask about the whites, rosé, and sparkling wines if you want a broader tasting. The tour is not limited to big, bold bottles, even though red-wine fans are likely to find the region particularly appealing.

Three Sisters closes the winery visits

Three Sisters Winery is the final tasting stop. It is about five minutes from Bench 1775, followed by a 45-minute tasting.

Finishing with a nearby stop keeps the afternoon practical. By this point, you will have sampled a substantial number of wines, so water and a measured pace matter. If you find a bottle you want, this is also a good time to think through your purchases rather than buying on impulse at the first stop.

The exact personalities of the five wineries will vary with the staff and day, but the structure gives you a clear progression: two early tastings, Lake Breeze and lunch, then two afternoon wineries. That pattern is easier to manage than five tastings packed back to back with no proper meal.

The guides are a big part of the value

The tour has used guides including Vicky, Don, Steve, and Murray. Vicky, also spelled Vikki in one account, receives especially warm praise for being attentive, respectful, and helpful with regional background. Don is described as outgoing, while Steve and Murray are also singled out for making the day enjoyable.

Guide quality matters on a wine tour. A good host keeps the timing under control, helps with winery introductions, answers regional questions, and notices when the group needs water or a quieter moment. The strongest feedback about this experience centers on the guides rather than on one single winery.

You should still remember that the guide may vary. The booking information does not promise one specific person, so choose the tour for its overall service rather than trying to secure Vicky, Don, Steve, or Murray by name.

The group atmosphere can also shape the day. The available feedback describes relaxed groups and friendly hosts, but group size is not specified. If you prefer private, unhurried tastings, ask the operator whether a private option is available before booking. Do not assume this is a private tour.

Is $138 a fair price?

At $138 per person, the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, all tasting fees, reservations, bottled water, a live English-speaking guide, and wine concierge service. You also receive five winery visits and roughly 20 to 25 tastings.

That is a solid package for anyone who would otherwise need to arrange transportation, pay for tastings separately, and coordinate five appointments. The reservation service has practical value during busy wine season, since you are not left waiting in line or trying to organize several wineries yourself.

Lunch is extra at about $20 to $40. Wine purchases are also extra, naturally. I would budget for the meal and decide in advance how many bottles you realistically want to carry home.

The price makes the most sense for a couple or small group that values convenience and safe transportation. If you already have a designated driver and plan to visit only two or three wineries, a self-guided day could cost less. You would give up the guide, reserved visits, and the ability for everyone to taste freely.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Penticton or one of the listed pickup communities and want a full Bench day without driving. It suits wine drinkers who want a strong selection of reds but do not want to limit the group to one style.

It is also a good fit for first-time visitors to the region. The route covers five wineries, includes a substantial lunch break, and gives you a guide who can explain the area as you go. The views and short transfers make the day feel like an outing rather than a series of tasting appointments.

This is less suitable for anyone under 19 or for pregnant people, as the activity is built around wine tasting. It may also be a poor match if you dislike scheduled stops or need long, private time at each winery. Six hours goes quickly when you include the drives, five tastings, lunch, and hotel pickups.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Okanagan plans are still shifting, but you should still check the available starting time for your date.

Final call: a polished way to see the Bench

Book this tour if you want five wineries, safe transport, and a real lunch break in one organized day. The strongest reasons are the broad pickup area, included tasting fees, scenic route, and guides such as Vicky, Don, Steve, and Murray who bring warmth to the schedule.

Skip it if you want to set your own pace, avoid a full day of wine, or keep lunch and purchases to a strict budget. For most wine-focused visitors staying around Penticton or Kelowna, though, $138 is a sensible price for a well-planned introduction to the Naramata Bench.

FAQ

How long is the Naramata Bench wine tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including transportation, five winery tastings, and lunch.

How many wineries do you visit?

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

How many wine tastings are included?

The tour includes approximately 20 to 25 tastings.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch costs approximately $20 to $40 and is paid separately. The lunch stop lasts about 1.5 hours.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.

Are tasting fees included?

Yes. All tasting fees are included in the tour price.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned touring vehicle.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Who cannot join this wine tour?

The activity is not suitable for people under 19 or pregnant women. Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.