Penticton: Naramata Bench Full Day Guided Wine Tour

The best part of this Naramata Bench tour is the mix of five very different wineries and big Okanagan views, all handled in one comfortable day. You can taste around 20 to 25 wines without worrying about driving, directions, or reservations.

I like the personal service, especially since guides such as Vicky, Don, Murray, and Steve have earned warm praise for being attentive and good company. I also like that tasting fees and hotel pickup are included. The main drawback is the lunch cost, which adds $20 to $40, and one past participant wished there had been snacks between stops.

Key points at a glance

• Five wineries in six hours: Ruby Blues, Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze, Bench 1775, and Three Sisters make for a full but manageable day.
• About 20 to 25 tastings: You get a broad look at Naramata Bench reds, whites, rosé, and sparkling wines.
• Lunch with a view: The 90-minute meal stop is at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze, with other dining options available in the area.
• Pickup across the Okanagan: Service is offered from Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.
• A social, guided outing: The air-conditioned touring van, bottled water, and reserved visits keep the day easy.
• Best for wine drinkers aged 19 and older: The tour is not suitable for children or pregnant women.

Why the Naramata Bench makes a good wine day

The Naramata Bench sits among the Okanagan foothills, above the east side of Okanagan Lake. Its appeal is not just the wine. You get vineyard views, open lake scenery, mountain backdrops, and small properties reached by winding country roads.

This area is especially appealing if you enjoy red wine. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are important local varieties, so you should expect plenty of bold, structured pours. Still, the tour also includes white, rosé, and sparkling wines, giving you a wider sample of the region.

I like this balance. A wine tour built only around heavy reds can feel repetitive, particularly on a warm day. Here, the tasting rooms can show you how the same sunny region produces several styles.

With more than 40 wineries on the bench, choosing where to stop on your own can take work. This tour solves that problem with five arranged visits. You can focus on the wine, the scenery, and the people pouring it instead of trying to build a route from scratch.

A smooth start from Penticton and beyond

The day begins with hotel or accommodation pickup. You can arrange pickup in Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, or Okanagan Mission. The final pickup time is confirmed by text the day before, and you should be ready 15 minutes early.

From the pickup area, expect roughly 45 minutes in the van before the first winery. That transfer matters if you are staying outside Penticton. The tour is advertised as a six-hour experience, so pickup and drop-off locations can affect how much time you spend on the bench itself.

The vehicle is a new, luxury, air-conditioned touring van. That is a real plus in the Okanagan heat. Unlimited bottled water is included, though you may want to bring a small snack since food is not provided between tastings.

Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. That keeps the ride comfortable and safe, but you will need to wait until the next winery for another pour.

Ruby Blues Winery starts the tasting day

Your first stop is Ruby Blues Winery, with about 45 minutes for tasting and exploring. Starting with a full tasting flight gives you an early sense of the local style before the day gets busier.

I like having enough time to ask questions rather than being rushed from glass to glass. You can taste, take photos, look around the property, and decide if there is a bottle you want to bring home.

The first stop also sets the pace for the rest of the day. You will visit four more wineries, so it is wise to taste thoughtfully instead of treating every pour as a full glass. Ask the guide for help pacing yourself, and use the bottled water provided.

Nichol Vineyard is only five minutes away

A short five-minute ride takes you to Nichol Vineyard. The brief transfer means more of the day is spent at wineries, not in the van.

The scheduled tasting lasts about 45 minutes. As with the other stops, you have time to ask about the wines and spend a little time outside. The close spacing of these first wineries makes the morning feel efficient.

This stop is also a reminder that the Naramata Bench is compact enough for several distinct properties to fit into one day. You are not spending an hour crossing the valley between every tasting room.

Lake Breeze combines wine and lunch

Next comes Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room, followed by a 90-minute lunch at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze. The tasting itself lasts about 45 minutes, so this is one of the more substantial portions of the day.

The lunch stop is a strong feature because you get a proper break after the morning tastings. The restaurant emphasizes farm-to-table food, and the setting looks out across vineyards and the valley. Lunch is not included, so plan on an additional $20 to $40.

The area offers several dining choices. The Patio at Lake Breeze is known for vineyard and valley views. Hillside Bistro serves upscale organic food, while the patio at Wesbert Winery suits pizza fans. Bench 1775 has an Asian fusion menu and broad lake views.

Your reservation is arranged as part of the tour, which saves you from trying to find a table during a busy wine season. The exact dining choice may depend on the day and schedule, so check the final details if a particular restaurant matters to you.

One practical point: lunch is the only clearly planned food break. Bring or buy a snack if you need something between tastings. Water is supplied, but food outside the lunch stop is not.

Bench 1775 brings wide lake views

After lunch, the van travels for about 10 minutes to Bench 1775 Winery. You get another 45-minute tasting, along with time for photos and a look around.

Bench 1775 is particularly appealing if you want scenery with your wine. The dining patio is known for panoramic lake views, and the property helps connect the tasting experience with the broad setting of the bench.

By this point, you will have tasted several wines, eaten lunch, and spent much of the day outdoors. The air-conditioned van becomes useful here, especially during hot summer afternoons. You can cool off between stops instead of driving yourself along warm, unfamiliar roads.

Three Sisters finishes with a final tasting

The last winery is Three Sisters Winery, just five minutes from Bench 1775. The final 45-minute tasting gives you one more chance to compare styles and pick a favorite bottle.

Ending nearby keeps the afternoon moving. You are not forced into a long final drive before the last tasting, and the compact route leaves room for conversation with the guide.

One review specifically mentioned horses at one of the stops. That detail suggests the properties can offer more than tasting-room interiors, though the tour does not guarantee an animal encounter. Treat it as a pleasant possibility, not a scheduled attraction.

After Three Sisters, you return by van to your selected drop-off location. The available drop-offs match the pickup area: Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.

What the guide adds to the day

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide and wine concierge service. In practical terms, that means you have someone managing reservations, keeping the route on time, and helping you make sense of the stops.

The guide names associated with this experience include Vicky, Don, Murray, and Steve. Vicky has been praised for explaining the region’s history and for being attentive and respectful. Don is described as outgoing, while Murray helped create a fun group atmosphere. Steve was also singled out as an excellent host.

Those details matter because a wine tour can feel very different depending on the person leading it. A friendly guide helps a mixed group settle in, while a good host can make the drive between wineries part of the experience instead of dead time.

The tour is guided, not a private chauffeur service. Group dynamics will affect the feel of the day, and you may be sharing the van with people you have never met. That can be part of the fun, but anyone seeking total privacy should consider that before booking.

Is $138 a fair price?

At $138 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you plan to visit several wineries anyway. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, all tasting fees, reservations, bottled water, and a guide.

Five tasting appointments can add up quickly when booked separately. You also avoid arranging a designated driver, paying for fuel, and navigating the bench after several pours. The reserved visits are another useful perk during busy periods, since you are not left waiting for space at each tasting room.

Lunch costs extra, usually $20 to $40. Add that to the advertised tour price when setting your budget. Wine purchases are also extra, of course, and the tour gives you plenty of opportunities to buy bottles.

I see the best value here for couples, small groups, and visitors staying outside Naramata who want a full day without renting a car. If you are already based near the wineries and only want one or two tastings, the price may be harder to justify.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the Naramata Bench rather than a single winery visit. Five stops let you compare producers, wine styles, tasting-room settings, and views in one outing.

It suits adults aged 19 and older who enjoy a social day, scenic drives, and a steady sequence of tastings. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone under 19.

It is also a good match if you want the guide to handle the details. You do not need to call five wineries, arrange a lunch reservation, or decide who will drive. That convenience is a major part of the value.

I would think twice if you dislike group tours, need a large meal before midafternoon, or want to choose every winery yourself. The route is set around five selected stops, and the schedule leaves limited room for spontaneous changes.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear comfortable shoes because each stop allows time to wander the property and take photos. Bring sun protection, since the tour includes open vineyard and lake views, though the provided information does not specify how much time is spent outside.

Keep your phone available for the pickup text sent the day before. Be ready 15 minutes before the confirmed time, especially if you are staying in a busy hotel area.

Use the water provided. The tour includes about 20 to 25 tastings, and water is more useful than waiting until lunch to hydrate. Since snacks are not included, pack something small if you know you get hungry between tastings.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and lets you reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Okanagan plans are still shifting.

Final call: an easy way to taste the bench

Book this Naramata Bench wine tour if you want five wineries, scenic views, and door-to-door service in one organized day. The mix of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines gives you variety, while the lunch break prevents the schedule from becoming one long tasting flight.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the helpful guides, included tasting fees, reserved visits, and air-conditioned vehicle. Just budget separately for lunch and bring a snack. If you prefer a relaxed, social introduction to one of British Columbia’s best-known wine areas, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Naramata Bench wine tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. The route includes winery visits, lunch, transportation between stops, and pickup and drop-off.

How many wineries are included?

The tour visits five wineries: Ruby Blues Winery, Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room, Bench 1775 Winery, and Three Sisters Winery.

How many wine tastings are included?

You can expect approximately 20 to 25 tastings across the five wineries. All tasting fees are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included in the $138 price?

No. Lunch costs an additional $20 to $40. The scheduled lunch stop lasts about 1.5 hours at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze or another local dining option.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is available from accommodations in Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned touring vehicle, and unlimited bottled water are included.

Can people under 19 join the tour?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 19 or for pregnant women.