Penticton: Naramata Bench Full Day Guided Wine Tour

The best part of this tour is the mix of five very different wineries in one relaxed day. You move from Ruby Blues Winery to Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze, Bench 1775, and Three Sisters, with the Naramata Bench and Okanagan Lake providing the backdrop between tastings.

I like the thoughtful routing and the fact that all tasting fees, hotel pickup, reservations, and bottled water are covered. I also like the guides, including Vicky, Don, Steeve, and Murray, who bring a friendly, personal touch to the day. The main drawback is that lunch costs extra, and you may want to bring a small snack since water is provided but mid-tour food is not.

Key points to know before you book

• Five wineries and 20 to 25 tastings: You get a full introduction to Naramata Bench wines, from bold reds to white, rosé, and sparkling bottles.
• A scenic route from Penticton: The drive takes you through one of the Okanagan’s most attractive wine areas, with views of the lake, mountains, vineyards, and valley.
• Lunch is a proper break: You have about 90 minutes for lunch at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze or another selected local restaurant, but food is not included in the tour price.
• Hotel pickup saves planning time: Pickup and drop-off are available in Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Okanagan Mission.
• A polished small-group feel: A new air-conditioned touring vehicle, reserved winery visits, unlimited bottled water, and concierge help keep the day easy.
• Best for adults who enjoy wine: This is not suitable for anyone under 19 or for pregnant people, and alcohol is not allowed inside the vehicle.

Why the Naramata Bench makes a strong wine day

The Naramata Bench sits among the foothills of the Okanagan mountains, above the east side of Okanagan Lake. Its sunny, dry setting supports a broad range of grapes, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah especially important for red-wine drinkers.

You will not spend the whole day tasting heavy reds, though. The wineries also feature white wines, rosé, and sparkling selections, so the experience works for a mixed group. I would especially recommend it when one person wants powerful reds and another prefers lighter or fresher styles.

The area has more than 40 wineries, which is both its charm and its planning problem. You could spend days choosing stops and calling ahead. This tour handles that work by selecting five wineries, setting the reservations, and arranging the driving.

That matters after several tastings. You can pay attention to the wine, ask questions, take photos, and enjoy the scenery instead of watching the clock or worrying about the next turn.

Pickup from eight Okanagan communities

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in Penticton, Okanagan Mission, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Summerland, or Naramata. The listed driving time to the first winery is about 45 minutes, though your exact pickup time is confirmed by text the day before.

Be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled time. That small bit of preparation helps the route stay on track, especially when the tour is collecting people from more than one community.

The vehicle is described as a brand-new luxury touring vehicle with air conditioning. That is a practical advantage during the hot Okanagan wine season. You also get unlimited bottled water, which becomes increasingly welcome as the tastings add up.

Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. That rule keeps the ride comfortable and safe, but remember that you are tasting at the wineries, not drinking between stops.

Ruby Blues Winery starts the tasting day

Your first winery is Ruby Blues Winery, where you spend about 45 minutes tasting. Starting with a full tasting session gives you time to settle into the pace before the day becomes more structured.

Each winery visit is designed to include tasting, questions, time to walk around the property, photographs, and wine buying. The exact wines available can change, but the tour is built to show you several styles from the Naramata Bench rather than sending you to five nearly identical rooms.

The first stop is also a good time to tell your guide what you prefer. If you enjoy Cabernet Franc, Syrah, sparkling wine, or crisp whites, say so early. The guides provide wine concierge service, so they can help you focus your attention and make sense of the choices.

Nichol Vineyard adds a short hop and another point of view

Only about five minutes later, you reach Nichol Vineyard for another 45-minute tasting. The short transfer keeps the day efficient and gives you more time at the wineries instead of leaving you in the vehicle.

Two tastings close together can be useful for comparison. You may notice how different producers handle the same general climate and grape varieties. It is worth taking quick notes in your phone, especially if you plan to buy wine later.

The tour includes tasting fees at every stop, so you do not have to keep reaching for your wallet. Purchases are separate, of course, but the included tastings make the $138 price easier to assess.

Lake Breeze brings wine, views, and lunch

Lake Breeze Vineyards is the third tasting stop, also planned for about 45 minutes. The property is known here for its valley and vineyard views, and it is followed by the longest pause of the day.

Lunch takes about 90 minutes at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze. The setting gives you a chance to slow down, eat a proper meal, and enjoy the view without trying to taste and hurry at the same time.

Lunch costs about $20 to $40 and is not included. That extra charge is important when you compare the total cost with other wine tours. Still, a restaurant lunch at a winery can be a better use of time than stopping for a quick sandwich somewhere far from the vineyards.

Other possible dining choices on the Bench include the Patio at Lake Breeze, Hillside Bistro, the patio at Wesbert Winery, and The Bench Patio Bistro at Bench 1775. The exact restaurant arrangement can vary, so do not book the tour expecting one specific menu unless your confirmed plan says so.

The meal is also the natural place to recharge. One practical tip: bring a small snack for the gaps between tastings. Bottled water is included, but food between wineries is not.

Bench 1775 is the afternoon scenic stop

After lunch, the vehicle travels about 10 minutes to Bench 1775 Winery. You have another 45-minute tasting, with panoramic lake views associated with the property.

The timing works well. By this point, you have visited three wineries and eaten, so the afternoon stop feels less rushed. You can take more care with your tasting choices and use the view as part of the experience rather than treating the scenery as something you glimpse from the van.

The Bench Patio Bistro at Bench 1775 is also one of the local dining options, with Asian fusion food designed to pair with the wines. It is not necessarily the lunch stop on your day, but it shows the range of food available on the Bench.

Three Sisters finishes the winery lineup

The final tasting is at Three Sisters Winery, just about five minutes from Bench 1775. Another 45-minute visit gives you a last chance to compare styles, ask for buying advice, and choose bottles to take home.

Ending with a nearby stop keeps the afternoon sensible. You are not racing across the region for one last tasting. After Three Sisters, the drive back to your drop-off point takes about 45 minutes.

The day includes roughly 20 to 25 tastings in total. That is a substantial amount of wine, even when spread across six hours. Use the water, take your time, and do not feel obliged to taste every sample if you are already satisfied.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide is more than a driver. The tour includes live guiding in English and concierge service, which means you can rely on help with the day’s reservations, route, timing, and winery choices.

The named guides associated with this experience include Vicky or Vikki, Don, Steeve, and Murray. Their styles may differ, but the feedback attached to the tour points to a common strength: friendly hosts who pay attention to the group and explain the area.

Vicky is particularly noted for sharing the history of the region while being attentive and respectful. Don is described as outgoing, and Murray as a strong host who helped create a fun group atmosphere. Steeve also received praise for the wineries, the horses seen during the day, the food, and the views.

You should still remember that guide assignments can change. Book this tour for the route, inclusions, and format first, not for a promise that one particular guide will lead your departure.

Is $138 a fair price?

At $138 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to visit one winery. It becomes more reasonable when you count what is bundled into the day: hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, five reserved winery visits, all tasting fees, bottled water, a guide, and help with the wine route.

You are getting access to 20 to 25 tastings without paying separate tasting-room charges. You also avoid arranging a designated driver, calling five wineries, and solving the distance between Penticton and the Bench.

Lunch adds another $20 to $40, and wine purchases are extra. For a realistic budget, plan on at least $158 to $178 per person before buying bottles, depending on your meal choice.

The value is strongest for couples or friends who want an organized wine day and do not want to drive. If you already have a car, a designated driver, and a clear list of wineries, you could spend less by visiting independently. You would give up the guide, the reserved route, and the convenience of having someone else handle the tastings and transportation.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this experience for first-time visitors to the Naramata Bench, people staying in the wider Okanagan region, and anyone who wants a full wine day without planning every detail.

It also fits mixed wine groups. The area is known for substantial reds, but the schedule includes white, rosé, and sparkling wines, so not everyone needs to like the same bottle.

The six-hour length is enough to feel substantial without turning into an all-day marathon. Five wineries and 20 to 25 tastings are still a lot, so it suits adults who are comfortable with a wine-focused schedule.

This is not the right choice if you want a quiet private tasting at one estate, a food-only tour, or a flexible day where you decide every stop as you go. It is also not suitable for people under 19 or pregnant people.

Practical ways to enjoy the day

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because each stop includes time for photos and walking around the property. The main focus is tasting, but the views are a major part of the appeal, so keep your phone ready for vineyard, lake, and mountain photographs.

Eat something before pickup. Lunch comes partway through the route, and there may not be snacks between tastings. Bottled water is included, so use it regularly.

Keep your wine purchases organized. Five wineries can produce a tempting stack of bottles, and your guide can help with wine concierge advice. Ask questions about which bottles travel well and which are best enjoyed soon, but only buy what you genuinely like.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The final pickup time is confirmed by text the day before, so check your phone and be ready 15 minutes early.

Should you book the Naramata Bench wine tour?

Book it if you want five well-spaced winery visits, dependable transportation, lake and mountain views, and a guide who handles the practical work. The all-inclusive tasting fees and pickup service make the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise need a designated driver.

Skip it if your priority is the lowest possible cost, a private itinerary, or a long lunch with only one or two tastings. For most visitors who want an easy introduction to Naramata Bench wine country, this is a well-planned day with enough variety to make the drive worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Naramata Bench wine tour?

The tour lasts about six hours. The schedule includes travel time, five winery visits, lunch, and hotel drop-off.

How many wineries are included?

You visit five wineries: Ruby Blues Winery, Nichol Vineyard, Lake Breeze Vineyards, Bench 1775 Winery, and Three Sisters Winery.

How many wine tastings are included?

The tour includes approximately 20 to 25 tastings in total. All tasting fees are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included and costs about $20 to $40. The lunch stop lasts about 1.5 hours and may be at The Farmstead at Lake Breeze or another selected local restaurant.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Penticton, Okanagan Mission, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Summerland, and Naramata.

Is wine tasting available in languages other than English?

The live tour guide service is provided in English.

Can people under 19 join the tour?

No. The experience is not suitable for people under 19 or for pregnant women. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed inside the vehicle.