Seeking a gorgeous setting for a winery picnic around Penticton? I can relate! It’s one of my favourite things to do on a wine tour. I love a spread of locally made cheeses, fancy crackers, fruit from nearby orchards, olives, chips and dips, all accompanied with a glass of wine.
We always try to go for at least a couple of winery picnics every year, more if we have friend visiting. Needless to say, we’ve tried a fair few different places over the 8+ years we’ve been living in Penticton!
This post shares our favourite winery picnic areas in Penticton. I’m going to first start with my top six picks for picnic places where you can bring your own food, followed by other spots where you can purchase charcuterie plates.
Top tips
Be sure to ask where you can have a picnic (and importantly, with your own food) before settling down. BC’s wineries have strict licensing rules. Picnics with outside food are only allowed in very specific areas.
Also keep in mind that things change. The below information is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing. Some wineries change food options from year to year. The below wineries have all offered picnic opportunities for at least a few years.
Noble Ridge Vineyards & Winery
My all time favourite winery for a picnic is Noble Ridge in Okanagan Falls. The picnic area is situated on an expansive lawn in front of the tasting room, with the most incredible views towards Vaseux Lake and McIntyre Bluff. There are picnic tables (only a few with shade) as well as Adirondack chairs.
Tastings are $10/person and feature five wines. The cost is waived with the purchase of a bottle. Wine can be purchased by the bottle to enjoy in the picnic area. They have charcuterie items available for purchase too.
Noble Ridge is about 25 minutes drive from Penticton, but honestly, the drive is absolutely worth it! The wine is fantastic too.
Deep Roots Winery
Deep Roots is one of my top picks for wine on the Naramata Bench, especially if you like Chardonnay and deep reds. So it’s a blessing they have a picnic area as well! The picnic area is located on the lawn in front of the vineyard. It’s family friendly, with toys usually scattered around.
There is a smoked meat truck stationed at this winery from Thursday to Sunday during the main tasting season, but picnics are always welcome.
Deep Roots charges $10/person for a wine tasting and the fee is not refundable. For me, it’s always more than worth it as I find the tasting good value and the wines always excellent (both red and white).
Three Sisters
For a picnic much closer to Penticton, try Three Sisters. This family friendly winery has a lovely shaded patio just across from the tasting room. Enjoy views of the vineyard, backdropped by nearby Campbell Mountain.
Toasted sandwiches are available for purchase (4 varieties, including a vegetarian option) or you can bring your own food. Wine is available by the glass or bottle. Wine tastings are $8/person but are not waived with purchase.
D’Angelo Estate Winery
One of the few wineries on the Bench that still offer free tastings, D’Angelo is a must visit if you like red wines. They own the largest block of Tempranillo grapes in this area of the Okanagan Valley.
This friendly family owned winery has a wonderful grassy picnic area with lake views. The owners have children so there are always some toys around. There’s a bocce court too.
Danelo’s Italian sandwich truck is usually parked here in the summer months from Tuesday to Sunday. Of course, you can bring your own food instead.
Ruby Blues Winery
The fun and friendly Ruby Blues Winery has one of the most scenic picnic areas on the Naramata Bench. The grassy picnic area is located to the side of the main tasting room, with gorgeous views of the surrounding vineyards as well as Okanagan Lake.
Ruby Blues is best known for its playful hippy vibe, epitomised by their funky VW van which is always parked outside. It is a very dog friendly place, though keep in mind that there is a winery dog on site.
Bottles are available for purchase for consumption in the picnic area. Guests must bring their own food supplies – Ruby Blues do not have any for sale.
Township 7 Winery
Need to stay close to Penticton on your wine tour? Township 7 Winery is a great pick for a picnic. The winery has a large lawn area at the back of the facility, surrounded by vineyards. It’s super relaxed, with a mix of seating including picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, most with umbrellas.
This picnic area is both child and dog friendly, but keep in mind that there may be loose chickens around. Wines are sold by the glass or you can enjoy a tasting (4 wines) for $15-30, fees waived with purchase.
Township 7 Winery has fairly long operating hours – typically 11am to 6pm during the summer months. If you don’t go to this winery for a picnic, it’s a good one to add to the list for a first or last stop.
Painted Rock Winery
Moving away from the Naramata Bench, how about a picnic on the south side of Penticton instead? Painted Rock Winery is certainly a contender for one of the best picnic spots around.
This family-run winery exudes a sleek, contemporary elegance with one of the best views around. The patio and picnic area looks out over Skaha Lake, offering a different vantage point than most other wineries in this area.
Painted Rock Winery serves their own charcuterie boards but we were assured that guests can bring their own picnic supplies as well. Wine tastings are $20/person, with the fees not being refundable.
Penticton wineries with charcuterie available
- Howling Bluff Estate Wines – Great value charcuterie plates ($26), sunny patio with canyon and vineyard views
- Origin Wines – Family friendly winery with stunning lake vistas. Pre-ordering is required (48 hours notice), bottle of wine included
- Modesta Winery – New winery with amphitheatre feel, private pods and lake views. Light bites also available
- Upper Bench Winery and Creamery – Handcrafted, made-on-site cheeses served on a shaded, misted patio surrounded by vineyards (my favourite!)
- Little Engine Wines – Modern and elegant winery with lake views, serving charcuterie and light bites
This is a shortlist of local options. Some of the Naramata Bench winery restaurants sometimes have charcuterie boards on their menus, along with many other options.
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