Hot off the press from British Columbia's breathtaking wine region
Follow me on a tour of the Okanagan Valley’s Naramata Bench with the Coconut Express.
A small hillside road meanders through Orchards, vineyards, and rolling hills. One side exudes the grandeur of the beautiful Okanagan Lake while the other side reveals puffy white clouds, wildflowers, smiling happy people on bicycles, homemade cheese shops, and oak barrels. Quaint little restaurants, old country homes, delicious food, and of course…wine. This is Naramata.
I was in Naramata exactly a year ago and loved it so much I had to go back. While on a road trip through Western Canada, my girlfriends and I made sure to block out some time to explore this wonderful Canadian wine country. After some research on tour companies I found the Coconut Express to be the perfect choice for our private tour. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Naramata Bench, it is an exquisite group of boutique wineries on a hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake. Many of the wineries are owned and operated directly out of owner’s homes, while others are larger with restaurants and Inns attached to them. One thing they all share is their undeniable majestic beauty.
With so many options, deciding which wineries to visit can be a daunting task. I’ve put together a table below with some of my personal favorites.
| Winery | Why I like it | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Island | Unique selection of wines | TRY: Cherry wine / Black currant wine. | ||
| Bench 1775 | Great wine | Expansive lake views | TRY: Rose. | ||
| Hillside Winery | Beautiful spot for dinner | Delicious food | Atmosphere | ||
| Lake Breeze | Best spot for lunch | Atmosphere | ||
| Van Westen | Authentic, delicious | TRY: Vulture cab franc paired with dark chocolate | ||
| Upper Bench | Cheese and wine pairings | Great wine | great cheese, although the service could have been better. | ||
| Deep Roots | Great wine | Wonderful service | Atmosphere | ||
| Misconduct | Rustic elegance. Love this piece of property & the views | TRY: Chardonnay | Share an appetizer in “The Kitchen” |
Fermented grapes aren’t the only thing bringing people to Naramata. You can get wild and adventurous by going on a spectacular local hike, wake-boarding on the lake, stand up paddle boarding, mountain biking, or just relaxing in one of Naramata’s parks or beaches.
Hillside Winery & Bistro
The girls and I at Kettle Valley Winery, with Okanagan Lake in the background.
A beautiful flower display at Hillside Winery.
CHEEEEESE please!!!!!!!!!
Dancing in the vineyards
Bench 1775, One of my favorites.
Bench 1775 – don’t miss this one!
Patio with a view at Bench 1775
Just outside of the Deep Roots tasting room
Our trip just wouldn’t have been complete without the amazing night we went down to the pub in our onesies! (The pub at the Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa.)
If you can’t make it out to Canada to experience this amazing wine tasting experience, you can always buy wine online through my favorite online wine stores, Vinley Market.
To see more images of Naramata, please see my post from last year’s trip here. Questions or comments? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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I love this!! The only thing better was being there!!! XO
Vanessa, I think it was my favorite day of our entire Canada trip!
Great blog! Love the Naramata Bench! Did you check out “Popular Grove”? Their Pinot Gris is the best I’ve ever tasted. Next time check out “Blasted Church” (East Side Road- Skaha Lake) and “See Ya Later” (Okanagan Falls) Wineries! Hester Creek (Oliver) is also amazing! Lots to explore! #lovetheokanagan
Thanks Susan! So many wineries, so little time! I will have to check out your recommendations when I go back. Such a lovely place!
Thank you for promoting our beautiful bench. Let us know if you, or any of your friends come to visit, and I’ll be happy to make some recommendations too. Cheers!
Thanks Blair. Just checked out your website. Looks like a lovely spot. Glad to know there will be more places for me to check out when I come back. By the way, we share the same last name, which means you must be super awesome =) haha!
This vineyard is so beautiful, Misha! Thanks for sharing!