A Local’s Guide to the Best Naramata Bench Wineries [All Personally Visited]

The Naramata Bench is home to 40+ boutique wineries, all situated within a relatively compact 20km stretch of land above Okanagan Lake. Many of the wineries are within walking distance of each other. It’s a beautiful place to explore, especially if you love wine tasting.

Living in Penticton for over a decade now, JR and I have visited every single Naramata Bench winery tasting room at least once, most of them twice. As for our favourites, we’ve gone back time and time again. Needless to say, we like to think we know the wineries of the Naramata Bench pretty well.

This post shares our top picks for standout Naramata Bench wineries. These are the winery tasting rooms that we rave about to other locals and bring visiting friends to experience as a priority.

Hand holding glass of red wine in front of camera, in front of views of vineyards and Okanagan Lake — Wine tasting on the Naramata Bench

Keep in mind that wine tasting is a personal journey, shaped as much by individual taste as by the overall experience. For instance, the tasting session relies a lot on the personality of the individual server.

For me, the setting is also very important as well as the length. For me, a relaxed seated tasting with a great lake view is very different from a 10 minute standing tasting at a bar with a dozen other people.

As for the wines themselves, they do change from year to year, or rather, from harvest to harvest. The weather and the winemaker have a lot of influence.

There are some wineries that we loved one year and didn’t like quite as much the next. But that’s part of what makes exploring the Naramata Bench so interesting. No two visits are exactly the same! Let’s get into the list.

Best Naramata Bench wineries with views

There are so many wineries I could have included in this category. It was very difficult to narrow down the best wineries with views on the Bench but here are some top picks.

Evolve Sparkling House – New winery featuring large patio, lots of comfortable seating and incredible unobstructed Okanagan Lake panoramas
Chain Reaction Winery – Small, family owned and operated winery featuring patio with amazing vineyard and lake views
Lang Vineyards – Some of the highest views on the Bench, spectacular lake and vineyard panoramas
Bench 1775 Winery – 20 acre property with large patio overlooking vineyards and Okanagan Lake. Choose the Wine Flight tasting to sit outside

Honorable mentions to Poplar Grove, Moraine Winery, Laughing Stock Vineyards, MOCOJO Winery, Marichel Vineyards, Origin Wines, Nichol Vineyard plus many more!

View of mostly empty tables and chairs on Evolve Sparkling House lower patio with Okanagan Lake views in the background — Evolve Sparkling House

Best wineries for red wine

Big bold reds are harder to find than aromatic whites on the Naramata Bench. If you prefer red to white, head to these wineries first.

D’Angelo Winery – The Italian owner focuses on dry red wines, including Tempranillo
Upper Bench Winery – Good mix of red varietals, with wines including a Bordeaux inspired blend and Zweigelt
Kettle Valley Winery – Full bodied reds made with older vines, single varietal and blends
Laughing Stock Vineyards – Concentration on Bordeaux grape varieties, with flagship wine (Portfolio) being a Bordeaux inspired blend

Honorable mentions to Van Westen Vineyards (range of reds) and Serendipity Winery (aged reds).

Close up of six wine bottles at Kettle Valley Winery, with photographs in background — Kettle Valley Winery

Best wineries for wine variety

Whether you’re touring the Bench in a large group or just want to try a wide range of local wines, the following wineries offer a great choice of different wines.

Moraine Estate Winery – Great mix of red and white varietals, starting at a very reasonable price point
Therapy Vineyards – Large wine portfolio with standard and reserve (superior quality) lines
Bench 1775 – Huge choice for both red and white wines, as well as ice and late harvest wines
Elephant Island Winery – As well as traditional grape wines, this Bench favourite has fruit wines too

Patio views at Moraine Winery with table and four chairs on elevated platform above vineyard and Okanagan Lake views — Moraine Winery

Best wineries for lesser known varietals

Looking to explore beyond the Naramata Bench staples of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot? Head to these wineries for some more unusual varietals.

Terravista Vineyards – Small lot white wines made from Spanish varietals such as Albariño and Verdejo
Roche Wines – Traditional French winemaking techniques plus Roussanne and Marsanne varietals
Lang Vineyards – Marechal Foch made from 60+ year old vines
D’Angelo Estate Winery – Largest block of Tempranillo grapes on the Naramata Bench

Honorable mention to Upper Bench Winery for their Zweigelt.

Four bottles of white wine lined up on table at Terravista Winery in Naramata — Terravista Vineyards

Best wineries for history

The first grape vines were planted on the Naramata Bench in the 1960s. The wineries listed below helped pave the way for what the region has become today.

Hillside Winery – One of two Bench wineries that lobbied the BC government in 1989 to allow wine to be sold on the premises where it is made
Lang Vineyards – Worked in collaboration with Hillside, also has the oldest vines on the Bench (60+ years)
Nichol Vineyards – First vines planted in 1989, all grapes are grown within 900m of winery building
Elephant Island Winery – Iconic Naramata Bench winery operating for more than 20 years

Honorable mentions to Red Rooster Winery, another Naramata Bench institution, and Kettle Valley Winery, the oldest single owner winery in the area

Looking up at the iconic Hillside Winery tower in centre, with second floor patio on left and first floor patio on right. Wine barrels line the path leading to the front door — Hillside is an iconic Naramata Bench winery

Best wineries for seated tasting experiences

The following wineries are my top picks for a relaxed, seated tasting with a view. These are the ones I revisit time and time again, especially when friends visit from out of town.

La Frenz Winery – Lovely vineyard facing patio with lake view in the distance. Lots of shade, misters are used on hot days to keep things cool. Wines are presented in a flight format
Nichol Vineyard – Wonderful lake and vineyard views from the covered patio, very quiet location
Deep Roots Winery – Covered patio with trailing vines looking out to vineyard and Okanagan Lake. Comprehensive tasting experience at a good pace
Chain Reaction Winery – Small winery with sunny patio featuring amazing views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding vineyards

Close up of three glasses of red wine at Nichol Vineyard on table in front of vineyard and lake view — Wine tasting at Nichol Vineyard

Best small winery tasting rooms

Looking for a tasting experience with only a few other guests? These spots offer smaller, more intimate tasting rooms and aren’t common destinations for wine tour groups.

Nichol Vineyard – Right at the end of the Naramata Bench, small yet very scenic patio with vineyard and lake views
Daydreamer Wines – Also at the end of the Bench, only a handful of picnic tables outside and limited space in the ‘Wine Shack’ tasting room
Marichel Vineyards – Hidden, lesser known winery with cosy patio overlooking the vineyard and lake
Fox & Archer – Tastings are usually private (limited to one group) and offered by the owner/winemaker

Honourable mention to Kettle Valley Winery as the tasting room has a limited amount of standing space.

Three chairs and a table on a patio surrounded by vineyards with a lake view at Marichel Vineyards — Marichel Vineyards patio

Best wineries for unique experiences

When it comes to something a little different, look no further than these wineries.

Marichel Vineyards – Off the beaten path, specialises in just a few grapes, intimate tasting room with great views
Daydreamer Wines – Far end of the Bench vibes, blue beach-hut like ‘Wine Shack’ tasting room, picnic tables, sustainability ethos
Howling Bluff Estate Wines – Tucked away in a canyon, great multi-level patio, Pinot Noir focus, hands-on family owners
Upper Bench Winery and Creamery – Paired tastings of wine and cheese (all made on-site), adults only patio with pizza oven

Honorary mention to Modesta Winery for their wonderfully private pod tasting areas and Van Westen Vineyards for hosting their tastings in the ‘shed’, a large open warehouse room which is part of the working winery.

Daydreamer Wine Shack exterior, a bright blue single storey building with wide wooden door — Daydreamer tasting room

Best wineries with food

Lunch with a glass of wine and a view? These are our favourite Naramata Bench winery restaurants.

Hillside Winery – ‘The Bistro’ restaurant featuring terroir-to-table cuisine, with lake and vineyard views from the patio
Lake Breeze Vineyards – ‘The Patio’ restaurant showcasing fresh, seasonal flavours using ingredients from the winery’s two acre farm, some lake views
Poplar Grove Winery – ‘The Restaurant’ serves seasonal small and large plates with the most incredible patio views of Okanagan Lake and Penticton
Serendipity Winery – ‘Terroir Kitchen,’ a beyond the beaten path winery restaurant with vineyard views specialising in European inspired farm to table cuisine

Honorary mention to Chain Reaction Winery – more casual option with Neapolitan style pizza, amazing patio views.

For more information about these restaurants and other local eateries, head to our Naramata Bench food guide.

Two tables on the patio at the Poplar Grove restaurant, with views of Okanagan Lake behind, backdropped by forested mountains — The Poplar Grove Restaurant patio has incredible views

Best winery picnic areas

Pack your own charcuterie, crackers and cheese to these wineries – they all have wonderful ‘bring your own’ picnic areas. Depending on the winery, wine can be purchased by the bottle or glass.

D’Angelo Estate Winery – Lovely grassy area with lake views and lots of picnic tables, on-site Italian food truck and bocce court
Three Sisters Winery – Shaded patio area above vineyard, complete with picnic tables. Toasted sandwiches also available
Ruby Blues Winery – Grassy area with picnic tables to the side of tasting room featuring beautiful vineyard and lake views
Township 7 Winery – Large lawn space with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, surrounded by vineyards

Check out this Penticton winery picnic area guide for more details and suggestions.

Grass area at D'Angelo Winery surrounded by a rope fence. In the background is a view of Okanagan lake and the surrounding mountains. — D’Angelo picnic area

Best child friendly wineries

While most Naramata Bench wineries are child friendly, the following wineries are particularly welcoming.

Origin Wines – Tastings offered at picnic tables on lawn space with games and toys for kids. Relaxed vibe, beautiful lake views
D’Angelo Winery – Located close to KVR Trail, lots of games and toys for children plus bocce court. Lovely lawn picnic area featuring lake and vineyard views
Deep Roots Winery – Large lawn picnic area with great vineyard and lake views. Toys and games provided for kids
Elephant Island Winery – Seated tastings in a fenced courtyard area, which features a colouring/play table with toys

Other great options include Three Sisters, Chain Reaction and Township 7. More information in our Naramata Bench child friendly winery guide.

Back view of wooden deck area with picnic table and Adirondack chairs, overlooking spectacular views of Okanagan Lake and the mountains beyond — Origin Wines

Best dog friendly wineries

Bringing a furry friend with you to the Naramata Bench? These wineries are the most dog friendly.

Ruby Blues Winery – Very welcoming to dogs and their owners, grassy picnic area
Township 7 Winery – Large lawn area with seated tastings. Please note that there are loose chickens
Origin Wines – Lawn area with lake views, picnic tables used for tastings outside. Winery dog on site
Deep Roots Winery – Picnic tables on large grassy area in front of vineyards. Two winery dogs on site

Honorable mentions to JoieFarm Winery, Modesta Winery, Therapy Vineyards, MOCOJO Winery, Howling Bluff Estate Winery, Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery and Chain Reaction Winery.