Five tastings, one scenic bench day. This Okanagan Valley tour turns the Naramata Bench into a full, guided experience, with transport, tastings, and time set aside at each winery. You’ll start around 10:30 am and spend about six hours tasting your way through one of British Columbia’s most scenic wine routes.

What I like most is how much is covered without the guesswork: tasting fees are included across the wineries, plus you get bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle. And the day is led by guides like Vicky (and others such as Don) who tend to keep things friendly, smooth, and genuinely fun.

One thing to watch: pickup isn’t available from Vernon or Sparkling Hill on this specific tour, so double-check you’re within the pickup zone before you book.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Five wineries in about six hours, with tasting fees included and a guided flow between stops
• Hotel/accommodation pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle (with limits outside certain areas)
• Lake + mountain views at multiple stops, especially along the bench
• A longer, more relaxed window at Lake Breeze Vineyards (1 hour 30 minutes)
• A built-in lunch reservation at a winery bistro (you pay for your meal)

Naramata Bench Wine Country: Views With Purpose

The Naramata Bench isn’t just pretty. It’s built for wine in a very practical way: the bench sits above Okanagan Lake, so vineyards and tasting rooms often take advantage of slope, sun exposure, and that cooling lake influence. On this tour, that matters because your best moments aren’t stuck behind a counter. You get time at wineries where the view is part of the tasting experience, not an accidental bonus.

You also get a nice mix of vibes. Some wineries lean into casual, social tasting rooms. Others feel more refined. The result is you can compare styles and hospitality without needing to drive yourself between far-apart locations. And because it’s guided, you’re not left guessing what to look for or how to connect what you’re sipping with the place it comes from.

Finally, this route keeps the day moving. It’s not a two-hour “show up and wander” situation. It’s a planned tasting circuit designed to fit real time on the bench.

Price and What $164.10 Really Buys

At $164.10 per person, this tour isn’t bargain-basement. But it’s also not paying only for a bus ride. You’re covering multiple wineries’ tasting costs and getting guided organization along the way.

Here’s the value angle that makes sense for most people:

• Five winery visits with admission/tasting included at each stop
• Bottled water to keep you comfortable (and less dehydrated than you’d be on a self-drive day)
• Air-conditioned transportation with pickup/drop-off, which can be a big deal in summer heat
• A guide to pace the day and keep it from turning into a log-jam of taxis and parking spots

What you should budget for separately:

• Lunch cost is not included (you’ll have a reservation, but you pay for your meal)
• Gratuity isn’t included

If you’ve ever done wine tours where you pay separately for tastings at three wineries and then still feel rushed, this format is easier to justify. You’re buying structure, included tastings, and the convenience of not driving the route yourself.

Pickup, Timing, and How the Day Stays Comfortable

Start time is 10:30 am, and the tour runs about six hours. That’s a good length: long enough to feel like a true winery day, short enough that you’re not totally wrecked afterward.

Pickup is offered from hotel or accommodation in the area, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. One practical caution: Vernon and Sparkling Hill pickups can’t be accommodated on this tour. That limitation matters because it can force you into a different tour option, or you may need to make your own way to an eligible pickup point.

Also, finalized pickup timing is confirmed by text the day before. Plan to be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup. If you’re staying outside Penticton / Naramata, expect earlier pickup times to allow for travel.

Group size is capped at 14 travelers, which helps keep the day from feeling like a cattle call. You’ll likely be able to ask questions, get attention when you want it, and still move at a reasonable pace.

Stop 1: Ruby Blues Winery to Set the Tone (45 Minutes)

Ruby Blues Winery is where you start finding the rhythm of the day. The vibe here is described as fun and inviting, with “happy wines for all to enjoy.” That framing is more useful than it sounds. Early in the tour, the point isn’t to quiz yourself on tasting notes. It’s to loosen up, taste what you like, and learn what you’re naturally drawn to.

At this first stop, you’ll get around 45 minutes. That’s enough time to do a proper tasting without feeling like you’re constantly checking your watch. It also gives you a chance to calibrate your palate. For example, if you know you enjoy crisp whites or fruit-forward pours, you can steer your attention in later tastings instead of guessing blindly.

If you tend to get overwhelmed on wine tours, Ruby Blues is a good early anchor because the overall mood sounds welcoming rather than intimidating.

Stop 2: Bench 1775 Winery With Lake-and-Mountain Views (45 Minutes)

Next comes Bench 1775, and the big theme is the setting. You’re promised breathtaking lake and mountain views along the bench, paired with refined wines that have earned national recognition and accolades.

Why that matters: when a winery emphasizes the view, it usually means the tasting experience is tied to the physical place—how the bench sits, how the slopes face, and how the surrounding elements show up in the glass. Even if you don’t get technical, you’ll taste with a context in mind: this wine comes from a real location, not a generic “wine country” postcard.

You’ll get another 45 minutes, which is a comfortable pace. It’s long enough to taste, ask questions, and enjoy the scenery before the day moves on.

One small tip for view-heavy stops: wear something that works outdoors. You’ll want photos, and you’ll also want to stand where the air feels good. Then return to the tasting with a clearer head.

Stop 3: Lake Breeze Vineyards for Views, Local Food, and a Longer Stay (1.5 Hours)

This is the longest stop: 1 hour 30 minutes at Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room. The description hits the sweet spot: breathtaking views over the whole Naramata Bench and Okanagan Lake, plus a farm-to-table patio experience featuring local Okanagan food.

This is also where the “winery tour” becomes more of a day out. When you get extra time at a location like this, you can slow down, eat comfortably, and actually notice differences between wines instead of rushing from sip to sip.

Two additional details make it memorable. First, there’s that focus on local food you can feel good about. Second, there are resident chickens and pigs, plus the chance to grab a house-made latte on the way out. Those aren’t things you’d plan into a tasting room visit on your own, and they make the place feel lived-in rather than staged.

If you’re sensitive to long seated meals, you can still pace yourself here by splitting your time: do the tasting, enjoy the view, then step away for food or a drink when you’re ready.

Stop 4: Wesbert Winery’s Minimal Intervention Approach (45 Minutes)

At Wesbert Winery, the philosophy is front and center: minimal intervention so the fruit speaks for itself, and so the terroir of the Naramata comes through in the wines.

What that means in plain terms: you’re likely tasting expressions that try to stay close to the natural character of the grapes and the site. Instead of heavy-handed winemaking tricks dominating the flavor, you focus more on balance and the actual feel of the wine.

The goal they state is well balanced, full-flavoured wines that work for different occasions. That’s a helpful guide for you while you’re tasting. Ask yourself a simple question after each pour: would this be an easy match for food, conversation, and a casual evening? Or is it more “serious wine” that needs the right moment?

You’ll have 45 minutes here, so don’t wait until the end to ask about what makes their approach distinct. Early questions tend to make the rest of the tasting more meaningful.

Stop 5: Three Sisters Winery With a 5-Wine Flight (45 Minutes)

Your final stop is Three Sisters Winery, where you get tasting plus time for access to vineyards and patio, along with the chance to purchase wine. The big tasting perk here: a flight of 5 wines is included.

Five pours in a structured flight format is great on the last stop of the day. By this point, you’ve already tasted across different approaches, so you’re more likely to know what you want. And if you’ve been trying to compare styles, a flight lets you do it quickly: you can track what changes from one wine to the next and what stays consistent.

The added patio and vineyard access also helps you “land” the day. Instead of leaving right after the final pour, you get a little space to breathe, take photos, and decide what to buy while the taste is still fresh in your mind.

Pro tip: if you plan to take bottles home, do it with a plan for transport. You’ll be in a group tour setting, so it’s smart to buy what you can comfortably manage for the trip back.

Lunch, Tastings, and Pace: How Not to Feel Rushed

This tour includes reservations at a winery bistro for lunch, but the cost of lunch isn’t included. That setup can actually be better value for you. You get the convenience of a reserved stop without forcing the tour price to cover one specific menu item you might not want.

The timing works because the tour is built around tasting windows: 45 minutes at several wineries, 1 hour 30 minutes at Lake Breeze. That larger slot gives you a buffer for food without the “finish your meal in two bites” feeling.

To make the day easier on yourself:

• Drink the included bottled water steadily
• Eat something during the lunch reservation, even if you’re not a big eater
• Save your strongest buying instincts until after the final stop, unless you know exactly what you love early

Also, if the exact wineries differ slightly from what you expected, don’t let it throw you. The bigger win is the bench experience and the consistent tasting format. Keep your focus on what you taste, not only on the name on the building.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Option)

This is a great match if you:

• Want five wineries without planning a route or driving between stops
• Like scenic viewpoints along the Naramata Bench
• Prefer a guided day with a limit of 14 travelers
• Care about tasting enough to compare wines, not just “collect samples”

It might be less ideal if you:

• Need pickup from Vernon or Sparkling Hill on this exact itinerary
• Want a super slow pace with long vineyard wandering at every stop
• Are on a super tight lunch budget (since lunch cost isn’t included)

It’s also a solid option for couples, small groups, and anyone who wants a fun, social day that still feels organized.

One more small planning note: this tour is commonly booked about 31 days in advance. If you’re traveling in peak season or on a weekend, it’s smart to book earlier rather than waiting for perfect timing.

Should You Book This Naramata Bench 5 Winery Tour?

I’d book this if you want an efficient, guided Naramata Bench day where most costs and logistics are handled. The included tasting fees, pickup and drop-off, and structured time at each winery make it feel like a real experience, not a rushed sightseeing loop.

Skip it (or look for another option) if Vernon or Sparkling Hill pickup is a must for you, because this tour can’t accommodate it. And if you’re the type who hates any chance of lineup changes, be flexible in mindset: keep your attention on the tasting quality and the bench setting.

If your goal is to leave with a few bottles you truly like, plus some memorable views and a low-stress day, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

What is the price per person for the Naramata Bench 5 Winery Tour?

The tour costs $164.10 per person.

How long is the tour?

The experience runs for about 6 hours.

What wineries are visited on this tour?

You’ll visit Ruby Blues Winery, Bench 1775 Winery, Lake Breeze Vineyards Tasting Room, Wesbert Winery, and Three Sisters Winery.

Is lunch included?

A lunch reservation at a winery bistro is included, but the cost of lunch is not included.

Do you provide pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel/accommodation pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. Vernon & Sparkling Hill pickups cannot be accommodated on this tour.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, you won’t receive a refund.

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