Upper Bench Winery and Creamery showcases the complementary work of Gavin and Shana, a British/Canadian husband and wife team. Gavin is the winemaker, Shana the artisanal cheesemaker.
Together, they celebrate the bounty and versatility of the Naramata Bench. Shana’s one-of-a-kind handcrafted cheeses (blue, brie and washed-rind) match wonderfully to Gavin’s high quality bold reds and fresh, crisp whites. Tastings are paired to highlight both wine and cheese.
At a Glance
Wine shop times: 10am to 5pm, daily
Tasting room times: 11am to 3pm, daily
Tasting reservation: Required – email or phone
Tasting style: Outdoor, seated, 5 wines, 3 cheese
Tasting cost: $20, waived on purchase of $50 or more
Food/restaurant: Cheese for purchase
Accommodation: No
Child friendly: No
Pet friendly: No
Weddings and private events: No
Last updated June 2022. Please note that the following information may change at any time due to Covid19 related policies and procedures. For the most up-to-date information, contact individual businesses before visiting. There are some affiliate links in this post – if you click one and make a purchase, we may receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
Tastings and Wine Shop
Upper Bench offers paired wine and cheese tastings from 11am to 3pm. The wine shop has longer hours (10am to 5pm) for wine and cheese purchases.
At the current time, all tastings are held outside on Upper Bench’s covered patio. The cost of the tasting is $20 and includes 5 different wines, paired with 3 different types of cheese. The tasting fee is waived with a purchase of $50 or more per person.
Restaurant
Pre-2020, Upper Bench operated a wood fired pizza restaurant called The Oven. At the current time, the covered patio is being used for tastings instead. The Oven is likely to reopen in 2022.
The Oven’s wood fired pizzas were topped with cheese made on-site. It is still possible to purchase packaged cheese to take home. The Creamery produces an amazing selection of 12 cheeses to pair with wine or add to a charcuterie board.
If you like French style soft cheeses, we would highly recommend the Okanagan Sun. For blue cheese lovers, the King Cole is a must. Not sure about blue cheese? Try the Moody Cow or Grey Baby – these softy, creamy cheeses both have an approachable hint of blue.
Here is a list of Upper Bench cheeses you may be able to purchase (seasonal selection varies):
| Cheese Name | Cheese Style |
| Upper Bench Double Cream Brie | Traditional style brie |
| Upper Bench King Cole | Semi soft, blue cheese |
| Upper Bench Grey Baby | Semi soft, surface ripened |
| Upper Bench Gold | Semi soft, surface ripened with herbs |
| Upper Bench Okanagan Sun | Soft, surface ripened |
| Upper Bench Pepper Puck | Hard, un-ripened, Parmesan like cheese |
| Upper Bench Moody Cow | Soft, surface ripened with delicate blue cheese veins |
| Upper Bench French Gold | Semi soft, surface ripened with herbs |
| Upper Bench Italian Gold | Semi soft, surface ripened with Italian herbs |
| Upper Bench Belle Marie | Lactic acid cheese with layer of black ash |
| Upper Bench King Cole Pot | Semi-soft, surface ripened blue cheese |
| Upper Bench Cacao Nib King Cole | Semi-soft, surface ripened blue cheese infused with cocoa nibs |
Accommodation
This winery does not have onsite accommodation. Click to discover nearby Naramata Bench accommodation options.
Weddings and Private Events
This winery does not host events but if you need a one-of-a-kind centerpiece for a wedding or special event, Upper Bench has you covered! Custom made cheese towers are available for special order. Advance notice required.
Dog Friendly
Dogs are welcome on the property but they are, unfortunately, not allowed inside the tasting patio area or the wine shop. They may be attached outside the fence of the patio. This may not be the best option for dog owners. Here is a list of local wineries that may be more suitable for your dog.
Child Friendliness
Due to licensing, the patio cannot accommodate guests under 18 years of age. For this reason, this winery is not be the best choice for families who have young children. Here is a list of local wineries that would be more suitable:
Wine Club
Upper Bench Winery and Creamery offers the unique opportunity to join a wine and cheese club. There are six different wine club membership options:
- Cork Club
- Cork Club – Red Only
- Cork Club – White Only
- Corks and Curds Club
- Corks and Curds Club – Red Only
- Corks and Curds Club – White Only
Each option includes 4 shipments of 6 bottles of wine, shipped in March, June, September and December. This adds up to 2 cases of wine total over the year.
Corks and Curds Club membership also includes 12 pieces of cheeses (3 cheese per shipment).
Here are some other perks you may enjoy with your Upper Bench wine club membership:
- Complimentary wine and cheese tastings for 4 people
- Discount on additional purchases
- Invitation to member appreciation party
- Early access to pre-release and members only cheese
- Recipes
- Referral discount on shipping
Varietals
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Zweigelt
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat
Wines
| Wine name | Description/Varietal | Price Per Bottle |
| 2018 Merlot | Red. Merlot | $30 |
| 2019 Merlot, Cabernet Franc | Red. Merlot, Cabernet Franc | $22 |
| 2018 Zweigelt | Red. Zweigelt | $25 |
| 2018 Pinot Noir | Red. Pinot Noir | $26 |
| 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | Red. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot | $40 |
| 2018 Yard Wine | Red. Merlot, Cabernet Franc | $33 |
| 2017 Estate Pinot Noir | Red. Pinot Noir | $27 |
| 2017 Estate Merlot | Red. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon | $40 |
| 2017 Altidude | Red. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon | $40 |
| 2019Chardonnay | White. Chardonnay | $27 |
| 2019 Viognier | White. Riesling | $22 |
| 2020 Riesling | White. Riesling | $24 |
| 2019 Pinot Gris | White. Pinot Gris | $20 |
| 2018 Carte Blanche | White. Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer | $18 |
| 2020 Pinot Blanc | White. Pinot blanc, Muscat | $22 |
Contact Information
Phone: 1-250-770-1733
Address: 170 Upper Bench Road
Website: upperbench.ca
