Naramata Full Day Lunch Wine Tour- Incl. Tasting Fees & Gratuity!

The best part of this Naramata tour is its wide sweep. In about six hours, you visit eight wineries along the Bench, sample four or five wines at each, and still have time for lunch with Okanagan views. It is a full day of tasting without the headache of driving.

I like the door-to-door pickup from Penticton and the fact that tasting fees and a 15% guide gratuity are already covered. I also like the mix of small family wineries, from the South African-owned Wesbert to four-generation Deep Roots. The main drawback is pace: eight stops in one day means about 30 minutes at each, so this suits you if you want range rather than a long, relaxed visit at two or three wineries.

Key points at a glance

• Eight Naramata Bench wineries: Visit MOCOJO, Moraine, Three Sisters, Lang, Ruby Blues, Deep Roots, Serendipity, Wesbert, and Lake Breeze.
• Four or five tastings at most stops: Sampling is included, with time to buy bottles at each winery.
• Lunch is separate: Choose from Lake Breeze, Naramata Inn, or Poplar Grove, then pay the restaurant directly.
• Penticton pickup included: Your guide collects and returns you to a hotel or vacation rental in the Penticton area.
• Small-group format: The vehicle holds a maximum of 14 people.
• A guide handles the details: Bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, a wine concierge, and 15% gratuity are included.

Why the Naramata Bench makes a good wine day

The Naramata Bench is a long wine-growing area above Okanagan Lake, close to Penticton. Its clay cliffs, lake views, vineyards, and warm growing conditions give the day a strong sense of place. You are not simply moving between tasting rooms. You are seeing how wineries fit into the farms, slopes, and family businesses of the South Okanagan.

This route also gives you a useful cross-section of local wine culture. Some stops are established family operations. Others are newer boutique producers with a clear personal touch. That variety matters. If one winery’s style is not for you, the next stop may be completely different.

The schedule begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs for about six hours. Since the route includes eight winery visits and one lunch stop, expect a busy outing. The short visits are useful if you want to sample broadly, but they leave little room for lingering over a single bottle or taking a long walk among the vines.

First pours at MOCOJO and Moraine

MOCOJO Winery makes an easy opening stop because its story is one of steady growth. It opened in 2014 with Gewurztraminer and Viognier, then added Marechal Foch, Malbec, Rosé, and Merlot. The winery eventually traded its bed-and-breakfast space for a larger tasting room, now welcoming summer visitors instead of overnight guests.

You can expect four or five tastings, plus time to shop. The lineup gives you a chance to compare white, red, and rosé styles early in the day. I would use this first stop to tell your guide what you like. If you prefer dry whites, lighter reds, or sweeter wines, that information can help shape the conversation at later wineries.

Moraine Winery sits above Okanagan Lake on a shelf of the Naramata Bench, framed by pale glaciated clay cliffs. The setting is a major part of the visit, so take a moment to look beyond the tasting glass. You get views of the lake and surrounding vineyards while sampling four or five wines.

Moraine’s owners, Oleg and Svetlana, moved from Europe to Canada in 1995 and later shifted from Edmonton to the Okanagan to begin their wine venture. The winery also donates part of its tasting fees to Chalice, an international charity helping children with medical costs. That gives this stop an added social purpose without changing the focus from wine.

Three Sisters and Lang, family wine with local roots

Three Sisters Winery grew from a family project. Rebecca, her winemaker husband Matt, and Rebecca’s parents began with a vintage made in a barn, with family and friends hand-labeling bottles. The name refers to three sisters in the two families.

The winery aims for wines that are elegant but easy to enjoy. Its hands-off winemaking approach lets the vineyard fruit take the lead. You will have four or five tastings and time to shop, though the 30-minute schedule means you should keep your questions focused.

Lang Vineyards brings a longer local story. Guenther Lang began in a garage and launched the first Farm Gate Vineyard in British Columbia in 1990. Today it is one of the older family estate wineries on the Naramata Bench, with more than three decades of winemaking behind it.

Lang includes four or five complimentary tastings and time to buy wine. This is a useful stop for context because it shows how a small operation can grow from a garage beginning into a recognized boutique winery. If you enjoy family-run businesses with a clear sense of continuity, Lang should be one of the more appealing visits.

Ruby Blues and Deep Roots, two different takes on boutique wine

Ruby Blues Winery keeps things playful. Its rock and roll style, small scale, local wines, and artisan goods give the stop a different feel from a formal tasting room. Owners Prudence and Beat sold Red Rooster Winery in 2008, then returned to a smaller operation where they could spend more time with vines, wine, and people.

The wines use Okanagan-grown grapes, mostly from local vineyards. You receive four or five tastings and time to shop. This is a good place to look for a bottle that feels a little less traditional in presentation, but remember that the playful personality does not mean you can skip the tasting conversation. Ask what is made from estate fruit and what comes from nearby growers if that distinction matters to you.

Deep Roots Winery comes from four generations of farming. The family had supplied grapes to other wineries for years before beginning its own winemaking in 2012 and opening a tasting room in 2014.

That background is important. The point here is not only the bottle. Deep Roots focuses on its own vineyard fruit and the work behind growing it. You can expect a family-centered stop where vineyard quality takes priority. It is another 30-minute visit with tasting and shopping time, so plan your purchases before getting back into the vehicle.

Serendipity and Wesbert, newer stories on the Bench

Serendipity Winery began when Judy Kingston found a Naramata orchard during an Okanagan holiday and decided to turn it into a vineyard. Planting began in 2007 with Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. The first harvest arrived in 2009.

Today, Judy and her daughter Katie, the head winemaker, welcome visitors at the winery. There is also a wine shop and a bistro serving seasonal food, though your scheduled lunch choices are listed separately. Serendipity includes four or five complimentary tastings and time to shop.

This stop may appeal most if you like stories about people changing direction and building something from scratch. It also gives you a look at a winery where food and wine are closely linked. If you want to return later for a meal, note the bistro, but do not assume it is the lunch arrangement for this tour.

Wesbert Winery was founded by the Joubert family after they moved from South Africa. It opened in 2019 and brings a warm hospitality style to a newer winery with five grape varieties. The property is close to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, making it a natural stop for people who also enjoy hiking or cycling in the area.

The tasting room, wine shop, and terrace add variety to the day. Wesbert uses a low-intervention approach that lets the grapes and Naramata growing conditions show through. Since 2020, the family has added a second vineyard and more grape varieties.

Like the other stops, Wesbert offers four or five complimentary tastings and shopping time. The short visit will not give you a full picture of every new variety, but it will give you a practical introduction to the winery and its direction.

Lake Breeze is the key lunch stop

Lake Breeze Winery brings the day toward the water, where breezes cross the bluffs and the Naramata Bench meets Lake Okanagan. The MacIntyre family began the winery in 2001, building it around local fruit, careful farming, and minimal intervention.

You will taste the wines, then have the option of lunch at The Patio Restaurant. Chef Mark Ashton has spent a decade working in the kitchen, using organic local ingredients and produce from the winery’s own Farmstead. The farm grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs on site, and the menu changes with the season.

The restaurant offers a Farmstead Tasting Menu designed to pair with Lake Breeze wines. Lunch is not included, so pay the restaurant directly. This is the point where the tour becomes more than a sequence of samples. You can sit down, eat a proper meal, and take in the views before the final part of the route.

The 45-minute lunch window is useful but not generous. If you want a slow meal, ask your guide how the schedule is being handled that day. Also keep in mind that food and wine purchases add to the tour price.

Two alternate lunch settings

The route also offers lunch at The Restaurant at Naramata Inn. Its menu focuses on local fruit, responsibly sourced proteins, and ingredients gathered from nearby hills and farms. The setting gives you a different kind of Okanagan meal, with the emphasis on seasonal cooking rather than a winery Farmstead menu.

Lunch at Naramata Inn lasts about 45 minutes and is paid directly to the restaurant. This option makes sense if you care more about a polished seasonal meal than eating at the same winery where you tasted.

A third choice is The Restaurant at Poplar Grove, on the slopes of Munson Mountain. Its dining room has broad views across Okanagan Lake, while Executive Chef Stacy Johnston prepares dishes built around Okanagan ingredients and local wine.

The Poplar Grove lunch stop is listed as about 30 minutes, shorter than the other two options. That timing may suit you if you want to keep the tasting route moving, but it gives you less breathing room for a leisurely meal. Lunch is also paid directly to the restaurant.

Because lunch prices are not included, check the menu and budget before you sit down. The tour price covers the tasting fees, vehicle, bottled water, wine concierge, pickup, drop-off, and 15% gratuity. You still pay GST, lunch, and any wine you take home.

What the included value really means

A wine tour can look inexpensive until you add tasting fees, transportation, and a tip. Here, the tasting charges at the wineries are covered, as is the 15% gratuity for your guide. You also avoid arranging a designated driver for a full day of wine sampling.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters during warmer Okanagan months. So does bottled water, especially when you are tasting at eight locations. The wine concierge service suggests that your guide is there to manage the practical side of the day, not simply drive from one address to the next.

Pickup and drop-off are offered at your Penticton hotel or vacation rental. Include the address when booking, and your guide will text the night before to confirm the pickup time. The stated start time is 10:30 a.m., but the exact pickup time depends on your address.

The maximum group size is 14. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to keep the outing more personal than a large coach trip. Herb is one guide associated with the experience. If Herb is assigned to your group, expect a guide who has been specifically praised for going out of his way to make the day enjoyable.

The pace, practical limits, and best fit

Eight winery stops in six hours requires discipline. Each tasting visit is about 30 minutes, with 45 minutes set aside at Lake Breeze or Naramata Inn and 30 minutes at Poplar Grove. You will sample a lot, but you will not have time for a full vineyard walk, a long cellar tour, or extended shopping at every stop.

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Penticton, want broad exposure to the Naramata Bench, and do not want to drive. It also suits couples, friends, and first-time Okanagan wine visitors who want an organized introduction to several producers in one day.

I would choose something slower if your main goal is serious wine study or a long meal. Eight tastings of four or five wines each can also become a lot, so pace yourself and use the water provided. You do not need to buy at every stop. Make notes, compare bottles later, and buy only what you truly enjoyed.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and may be reached by public transportation. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience is non-refundable, and changes are not permitted, so book only when your plans are firm. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the provider offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Naramata Bench day?

Book it if you want a well-organized tasting circuit with transportation already handled. The combination of eight wineries, included tasting fees, a guide, and Penticton pickup gives you strong practical value, especially if you plan to buy wine and would otherwise need to arrange a driver.

The best reason to choose it is variety. You get family stories, lake views, boutique producers, established vineyards, and several lunch settings in one outing. The main tradeoff is time. This is a broad introduction, not a slow afternoon at two wineries.

If Herb is your guide, that is a welcome bonus based on the strong praise attached to his hosting. The published rating is 5 out of 5 from 29 ratings, with every rating recommending the experience, but the schedule remains the key decision point. Choose this tour for range, ease, and good regional coverage. Skip it only if you prefer a quiet, unhurried tasting day.

FAQ

How long does the Naramata wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and begins at 10:30 a.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at your hotel or vacation rental in the Penticton area. You should provide the pickup address when booking.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is paid directly to the restaurant. The listed choices are Lake Breeze, Naramata Inn, and Poplar Grove.

Which wineries are included?

The route includes MOCOJO, Moraine, Three Sisters, Lang, Ruby Blues, Deep Roots, Serendipity, Wesbert, and Lake Breeze. Lake Breeze is also connected with the lunch option.

Are wine tasting fees included?

Yes. Tasting fees are included at the wineries listed in the experience.

Is gratuity included?

Yes. A 15% gratuity for the guide is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

Is wine available to purchase?

Yes. Each winery provides time to shop for wine. Wine purchases are not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the provider cancels because the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.