Naramata Private Wine Tour – Full Day

The best part of this Naramata wine tour is the private format. You are not tied to a large bus group or a fixed set of stops. Your guide can follow the planned route through five wineries, or adjust the day around the kinds of wine, food, and views you want.

I like the included tasting fees and the practical touch of chilled still and sparkling water. I also like that lunch reservations are arranged for you, while you still choose and pay for your own meal. The main thing to watch is the transportation zone: pickups in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Vernon, and Osoyoos cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Five Naramata Bench wineries: The route includes Poplar Grove, Hillside, Deep Roots, Nichol, and Laughing Stock.
• Private attention: Only your group takes part, giving the guide room to adjust the day.
• Tasting fees included: You receive wine tastings at all five scheduled wineries.
• Lunch is planned, not prepaid: A sit-down lunch reservation is made for you, but the meal costs extra.
• Pickup has limits: Penticton and Summerland are the regular transportation zone. Other towns bring a group surcharge.
• Wine-focused stops: Tastings range from guided flights and portfolio tastings to small-production wines served in a seated setting.

Why a private Naramata tour makes sense

The Naramata Bench is a good place for a private tour because the wineries are close enough to link into a single outing, yet different enough to give the day some shape. You can move from a larger, established tasting room to a small producer, then finish with a more polished seated tasting.

A private vehicle also solves the obvious problem of wine country: someone must drive. You can taste at five wineries without assigning one person to skip the fun. Bottled water is supplied, including chilled sparkling water, which is a useful detail during a day of tastings.

The tour lasts about five hours. That is long enough for five winery visits, but it is not an all-day expedition with endless time at each stop. The scheduled tasting appointments range from 30 to 45 minutes, with driving between them and lunch arrangements fitted into the day. If you want a slow, lingering afternoon at only two or three wineries, this route may feel busy.

The private setup is especially useful for couples, families of adults, or small groups with different wine interests. You can ask for alternate wineries, request tasting upgrades for an added fee, or let the guide manage the route.

Poplar Grove begins with five signature wines

The first stop is Poplar Grove Winery, where you receive a guided tasting of five signature wines. The appointment lasts about 30 minutes, making it a brisk opening to the day.

That format works well if you want a broad introduction before deciding what styles you prefer. You are not simply handed a glass and left to guess what you are drinking. The tasting is guided, so you can ask questions and use the first stop to tell your guide what you want more of later.

The short visit also helps keep the full route on time. Five winery stops can easily become a long day if every tasting runs late. On the other hand, wine lovers who enjoy extended conversation may find 30 minutes a little tight.

Poplar Grove is a good place to pay attention to your own preferences. If you discover that you prefer certain grapes or styles, say so early. The private format gives your guide a chance to adjust later stops.

Hillside offers a closer look at current releases

At Hillside Winery, the tasting changes pace. You receive a 45-minute portfolio tasting focused on the latest releases, with an intimate guided presentation.

This stop is valuable if you enjoy seeing how a winery’s current lineup fits together. Instead of tasting one or two isolated bottles, you get a wider look at the portfolio. That gives you a better basis for comparing styles and deciding what you might want to take home.

The longer appointment leaves room for questions. It also gives your group more time to settle into the day. If you are new to Okanagan wine, Hillside is a useful point to explain what you have enjoyed so far.

One practical caution: five tastings in roughly five hours can add up quickly. Use the water provided, take your time, and remember that a guided tasting does not require you to finish every pour.

Deep Roots keeps the tasting private

Deep Roots Winery provides another private wine tasting, scheduled for about 45 minutes. The wording matters here: this is not just a quick stop at a retail counter. The tasting is set up for a more personal experience.

For a small group, this can be the most flexible part of the route. You have room to discuss the wines, ask about the winery, and tell the guide what is working for you. If your group has already found a favorite style, this is a good time to request a more focused tasting.

The benefit of a private tasting depends partly on your group. Wine enthusiasts who enjoy conversation will get more from it than people who want a quick sip and a photo. As with the other stops, the tasting fee is included, while any bottles you buy are your own expense.

Nichol Winery brings pioneering Naramata character

Nichol Winery and Vineyard is a smaller producer with an important place in the area. It is described as one of the first three pioneering wineries on the Naramata Bench.

Nichol works on a small scale and focuses closely on grape quality and the work that follows in the winery. That makes this stop different from a broad portfolio tasting. The appeal is the sense of a focused producer, where the operation is centered on careful wine production rather than a long list of offerings.

The scheduled visit is only about 10 minutes, much shorter than the other tastings. Treat it as a compact stop, not a full tasting appointment. The short timing may suit you if you like variety and want to keep moving, but it may disappoint if small wineries are the main reason you booked.

This is also a good reminder to check the day’s exact timing with your guide. The listed schedule gives Nichol far less time than Poplar Grove, Hillside, Deep Roots, or Laughing Stock.

Laughing Stock finishes with a seated tasting

The final listed stop is Laughing Stock Vineyards, a boutique winery on the Naramata Bench. Here you receive a premium personalized tasting in a seated setting, with access to limited-production wines, including bottles sold only at the winery.

The seated format makes this a fitting finish. After several appointments, you can slow down and give the wines your full attention. The tasting lasts about 45 minutes, so there is enough time for a more measured presentation.

The limited-production selection is important if you are looking for bottles that may not be widely available elsewhere. It also gives you a reason to buy at the winery rather than simply noting a label and shopping later.

The phrase premium tasting also points to a possible extra cost. The standard tasting fees for the five scheduled wineries are included, but tasting upgrades cost more. Ask your guide or the winery what is covered before agreeing to an upgrade.

Your guide can shape the day

The tour is designed around a set route, but you are not locked into it. Alternate wineries are available on request, and the guide can adjust some details to suit your group.

That flexibility is more useful than it may first appear. A group that already knows Okanagan wine may want smaller producers or limited releases. A group new to the region may prefer a broad mix. Couples may care most about views and a good lunch, while serious wine buyers may want time with focused producers.

Past service has included guides named Alan and Frank. Alan was praised for his knowledge of wine and the Naramata area, while Frank was specifically noted for adjusting details to suit the group and helping carry purchased cases. Guide assignments can change, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

One language point deserves attention. A French-speaking group requested a French tour but did not receive one without advance notice. The guide still worked hard to make the visit comfortable, but you should confirm language needs before booking if French service is important.

Lunch is arranged, but the bill is yours

A sit-down lunch reservation is made for you, which removes one common nuisance from a busy wine day. You do not have to spend the middle of the tour searching for an available table.

The lunch price is not included. That is fair, but it means the advertised per-person price is not the full cost of the day. You should budget separately for the meal, any tasting upgrades, bottles of wine, and transportation surcharges.

A past custom route included a restaurant with an excellent view and good food. The exact restaurant is not specified in the tour details, so do not book this expecting one named dining venue. Ask what is planned for your date and tell the guide about dietary needs or preferences in advance.

Is the price good value?

The listed price is $291.48 per person. For a private wine tour, that price includes five winery tasting fees, a private vehicle and guide, bottled still and sparkling water, and lunch planning.

That is a stronger value for a group that wants privacy and convenience than for someone mainly looking for the cheapest way to taste wine. You are paying for the driver, the route planning, the private attention, and the ability to request alternate wineries. The value improves when several people share the vehicle and make use of the flexibility.

Still, keep the add-ons in mind. Transportation from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Vernon, or Osoyoos starts at $49 per group. Lunch is separate, tasting upgrades cost extra, and wine purchases are not covered.

The tour is booked an average of 61 days ahead, suggesting you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. Confirmation arrives at booking, and pickup outside Penticton and Summerland is subject to an added surcharge.

Pickup, timing, and practical details

Regular pickup and drop-off transportation covers Penticton and Summerland. If you are staying elsewhere in the Okanagan, check the added cost before paying. Kelowna and the other listed towns are not included in the regular transportation zone.

The experience is offered in English and uses mobile tickets. Most people can participate, but the tour involves several winery visits and a full sequence of tastings. If anyone in your group has mobility, dietary, or language concerns, raise them before the day.

Because this is a private activity, only your group participates. That makes the pace more comfortable and gives you a better chance to ask for adjustments. It does not mean every stop can be stretched indefinitely, especially with five appointments in about five hours.

The cancellation policy is straightforward. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants and will offer another date, another experience, or a full refund if that minimum is not met.

Who should book this Naramata wine tour?

I would choose this tour if you want five distinct winery experiences without driving, organizing appointments, or joining a large group. It suits couples looking for a polished date, small groups buying wine, and visitors who want a first introduction to the Naramata Bench with a guide handling the details.

It is also a good fit if your group has mixed experience. Beginners can ask basic questions without feeling lost in a crowd, while experienced wine drinkers can request alternate stops or tasting upgrades.

I would hesitate if you want a very slow day, dislike structured appointments, or are trying to keep the total cost low. The five-stop plan is efficient rather than leisurely, and the final bill rises with lunch, transport outside the regular zone, upgrades, and wine purchases.

FAQ

How long is the Naramata Private Wine Tour?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

How many wineries are visited?

The planned route visits five wineries: Poplar Grove Winery, Hillside Winery, Deep Roots Winery, Nichol Winery and Vineyard, and Laughing Stock Vineyards.

Are wine tasting fees included?

Yes. Tasting fees at the five scheduled wineries are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. A reservation for a sit-down lunch is made for you, but the cost of lunch is separate.

Where is regular pickup available?

The regular transportation zone is Penticton and Summerland. Pickup from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Vernon, or Osoyoos starts at an additional $49 per group.

Can I request different wineries?

Yes. Alternate wineries are available upon request. Tasting upgrades can also be arranged for an additional cost.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this Naramata tour if you value a private vehicle, included tastings, flexible winery choices, and a guide who can help shape the day. The route gives you a useful mix: signature wines at Poplar Grove, current releases at Hillside, private tasting time at Deep Roots, a short visit to pioneering Nichol, and limited-production wines at Laughing Stock.

Before booking, confirm your pickup town, lunch budget, preferred language, and whether you want the scheduled wineries or alternatives. If those details fit, the tour offers a well-planned way to taste across the Naramata Bench without handing the keys to one person in your group.