A day on the Naramata Bench feels like a guided shortcut. This five-winery tour packs tastings and winemaking insight into about six hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off to keep things easy. I especially like how the wineries are varied in style, so you don’t just drink one kind of wine all day. I also like that the tour includes tasting fees, bottled water, and a proper guide-led flow, not a vague hop-on hop-off plan.

Your main watch-out is timing and add-ons: lunch at the winery bistro is part of the plan with reservations, but the cost of lunch isn’t included, and pickup is limited (Vernon and Sparkling Hill pickups can’t be accommodated). If you’re outside the Penticton/Naramata area, expect an earlier pickup so you have time to travel.

Key things I’d plan around

• Small group size (max 14) keeps the pacing relaxed and questions easy
• Tasting fees included at every stop, plus bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle
• Guides like Vicki or Don bring both fun energy and practical winemaking context
• A longer 1.5-hour stop at Lake Breeze Vineyards, including farm-to-table patio time
• Bench-view wineries on purpose, from Bench 1775 to Lake Breeze over Okanagan Lake
• Three Sisters includes a flight of 5 wines, with time for vineyard/patio access

Naramata Bench at 10:30: how the day is paced

The tour starts at 10:30 am, and the whole loop runs about six hours. You’ll get picked up and dropped off in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters here because winery days can get warm, and you don’t want to spend your energy figuring out rides.

Plan to be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. Your final pickup window is confirmed by text the day before, and if you’re staying outside Penticton/Naramata, your pickup will likely be earlier to allow for travel.

This is also one of those tours where the order matters. You’ll start with an approachable, social-feeling winery, then move through places that lean more serious or view-driven, and finish with a stop that includes a flight of five. The structure helps you compare styles while the day is still fun, not rushed.

Value check: what your $164.10 covers (and what it doesn’t)

At $164.10 per person (about six hours, five wineries), the value depends on what’s included. Here’s what you don’t have to add up yourself:

• Hotel/accommodation pickup and drop-off
• Guided tour
• Tasting fees included at each stop
• Bottled water
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• Mobile ticket

What’s not included is lunch cost (even though lunch stops are built in with winery bistro reservations). Also, gratuity isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan a little extra if you tip.

For a day with five tasting fees and transportation already handled, you’re mostly paying for access plus the guide’s time. In plain terms: this tour fits best if you want a smooth, organized wine day without doing logistics math.

Ruby Blues Winery: an upbeat 45-minute opener

Your first stop is Ruby Blues Winery for about 45 minutes. It’s described as fun and inviting, with wines that are meant to be easy to enjoy. This is a smart starting choice: you’re not yet tired, and the vibe is designed to get you in the groove.

What I like about an opener like this is mental. It helps you loosen up before you get into the more nuanced tastings later. If you’re the kind of person who wonders whether you’ll “get it” as the day goes on, a friendly first stop removes that pressure.

Time-wise, 45 minutes is enough to taste, ask a couple questions, and still feel like you moved through the day at a human pace. Just remember you’ll be on the road again soon, so keep purchases practical if you’re thinking about buying later.

Bench 1775 Winery: views, then refined pours

Next up is Bench 1775 Winery for another 45 minutes, and the selling point is right there: breathtaking lake and mountain views along the bench. The wine side is more polished too, with refined wines that have earned national recognition and accolades.

This stop is great if you want a classic “pause and look around” moment built into the schedule. The views aren’t a random bonus—they’re part of why Bench wineries are so enjoyable. When the view is the backdrop, you tend to taste slower and notice more.

The drawback to keep in mind: a 45-minute window can feel tight if you want extra time for photos or lingering on the patio. If you’re photo-first, you may need to be efficient with your tasting so you don’t miss the view moment.

Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room: the long stop with farm-to-table time

The most time is reserved for Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room: about 1 hour 30 minutes. It’s a bigger stretch in the day, which is exactly what you want at least once during a tour.

Why this stop works:

• Views over the whole Naramata Bench and Okanagan Lake
• A farm-to-table patio concept with local Okanagan food
• A farm atmosphere you can walk through, including resident chickens and pigs
• A house-made latte you can grab on the way out (if you want a caffeine reset)

This stop also makes the day feel less like a tasting checklist and more like a winery visit. That farm-to-table angle is useful for your palate too. Food helps balance the wines, and a longer break lets you keep your taste buds from feeling overloaded.

The trade-off is energy. With 1.5 hours here plus travel between stops, this is where you’ll feel the most daylight and walking. Wear shoes you’re comfortable in, especially if the patio area is uneven or you want to linger by the view.

Wesbert Winery: minimal intervention, terroir-forward style

At Wesbert Winery you’ll get about 45 minutes of tastings with a clear style philosophy: minimal intervention and letting the fruit speak, plus an emphasis on the terroir of Naramata. The goal is balanced, full-flavoured wines that work for all occasions.

Even if you don’t care about the terminology, the practical outcome is what matters: you’ll usually find these wines feel more about “place” and less about heavy-handed winemaking tricks. If you like understanding what you’re tasting, a terroir-focused stop gives you something to compare against the more approachable opening winery.

For readers who like variety, this is a nice mid-tour pivot. The day has moved from friendly and scenic into more serious expression, and Wesbert sits right there in the middle: structured enough to feel thoughtful, not so intense that the day stops being fun.

Three Sisters Winery: a built-in flight of five

Your final stop is Three Sisters Winery for about 45 minutes. This is a tasting + browsing-style ending: you’ll have access to the vineyards and patio, and you can purchase wine.

The tasting component is also clearly set: you get a flight of 5 wines included. A flight at the end is great because you’re done with the “compare while you’re still fresh” part, and now you’re in a decision mode—what would I buy, if I could only pick one or two?

A 45-minute finish can feel short if you want to shop. Still, the time is enough to taste the full flight, enjoy the patio, and make a purchase decision without dragging the day longer than planned.

What the guide adds (besides pouring)

This tour is guided, and the guide makes a noticeable difference in how the wineries land. One guide—Vicki—is called out as amazing and fun, with a lot of personal care. Another—Don—is described as very informative and great fun. That combination matters.

Why? Because winemaking from scratch isn’t just about facts. It’s about helping you connect the dots: why grapes behave the way they do, how different winery styles feel in the glass, and what to look for when you taste.

Even if you’re a casual wine drinker, a good guide helps you taste with purpose. You stop thinking, Is this good? and start thinking, What’s the style, and does it match what I like?

Lunch bistro reservations: plan for cost, not comfort

Lunch is handled as a reservation stop at a winery bistro. That’s a big practical win. You’re not trying to find a place at peak dining time while everyone else is hungry.

But remember: lunch cost isn’t included. So bring a little buffer in your budget. If you drink wine during the day (and you likely will), food becomes part of keeping the day enjoyable rather than just boozy.

Also, because the day moves from winery to winery, you’ll want to treat lunch as a reset: hydrate, eat a solid plate, and give your taste buds a break before the next round of tastings.

Who should book this Naramata Bench 5 Winery Tour

This tour fits best if you want:

• A guided day with tasting fees handled
• A mix of wineries with different vibes: social, view-forward, terroir-minded, and flight-based
• Transportation and pickup/drop-off so you’re not planning rides between stops
• A schedule that includes a longer meal-and-tasting-style stop at Lake Breeze

It’s also a good pick if you’re traveling with friends or family and you want everyone to have a say. Wine choices differ—this itinerary gives enough variety that groups don’t all feel locked into the same style.

You might want to think twice if:

• You strongly prefer longer time at each winery (most stops here are 45 minutes)
• You’re counting on Vernon or Sparkling Hill pickup, because those locations can’t be accommodated on this tour
• You’re looking for a lunch-included price with no extra spending. Lunch costs are on you

Should you book it or not?

If you want a smooth, organized wine day on the Naramata Bench, I think this is an easy yes. The big reasons are the ones that affect your real day: tasting fees included, transport handled, and a guide who makes the experience feel both fun and educational (Vicki and Don are repeatedly highlighted for that).

Book it if you like variety, scenic stops, and you’re okay with a tight but fair amount of time at each winery. Skip it if your priority is very long stays, or if you need pickup from Vernon/Sparkling Hill, or if you’d rather pay less and do tastings on your own.

If you do book, bring cash (or card) for lunch and any bottles you love, wear comfortable shoes for the farm-to-table stop, and be ready early for pickup so the day stays effortless.

FAQ

How long is the Naramata Bench 5 Winery Tour?

The tour lasts about 6 hours (approx.).

What does the price include?

The price includes guided tour, tasting fees, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and hotel/accommodation pickup and drop-off, plus a mobile ticket.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the price. The schedule includes lunch stops with reservations at a winery bistro, but you’ll pay the cost of lunch.

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 10:30 am.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but Vernon and Sparkling Hill pickups cannot be accommodated on this tour. If you’re staying outside Penticton/Naramata, expect an earlier pickup time to allow for travel.

Which wineries are included in the tour?

The tour includes Ruby Blues Winery, Bench 1775 Winery, Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room, Wesbert Winery, and Three Sisters Winery.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 14 travelers.

Is there a cancellation option for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Does the tour include tastings at every stop?

Yes. Tasting fees are included, and each stop lists admission/tasting as part of the visit.

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