The Naramata Bench at a glance
The Naramata Bench is a wine-growing area on the benchlands east of Okanagan Lake, reached by a winding road north from Penticton toward Naramata village. More than 40 wineries line the way, and many offer tastings with views over the lake.
The province recognised the Naramata Bench as its own sub-region in 2019. It covers the eastern benchlands between Penticton Creek and Okanagan Mountain Park. Naramata village is about 14 km from Penticton, a drive of roughly 20 minutes.
Our picks: Naramata Bench tours
The Naramata Bench is a wine road along the lake, and a guide takes the driving off your hands. The Penticton tasting tour and the lunch-stop day are the long options, the five-winery day packs in the most stops.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Naramata Bench, five wineries in a day
- Five wineries
- Tasting fees
- Pickup and drop-off
A guided six-hour day with five winery stops and tasting fees included. Ask before booking whether lunch is part of the day.
Check availability →
Naramata full-day wine tour with lunch stop
- Tasting fees
- Guide gratuity included
- Door-to-door pickup
A full day on the Naramata Bench with tastings and a wine concierge, and the guide's tip is already covered. Ask before booking whether the lunch itself is included.
Check availability →
Naramata and Penticton full-day tasting tour
- All tasting fees
- Water and snacks
- Door-to-door pickup
Tastings, water and snacks are covered, and a van with air conditioning picks you up at your accommodation. Taxes and wine you buy are paid on top.
Check availability →Naramata Bench wine tours
Guided wine tours, tasting visits and day trips from Penticton, with live prices and availability.
Penticton wineries and the wine trail
The Penticton wineries on the east shore are spread along one main road, so the day works as a slow drive with a few stops rather than a long list. Pick two or three tasting rooms, start with the ones closest to Penticton and work toward the village. Opening hours differ from one winery to the next, and not every tasting room is open every day, so check before you set out.
Plan the day around transport, timing and the rules of the road.
Tastings: fees and reservations
There is no single tasting fee across the Bench. Some wineries work on a donation basis. Others charge a set fee and credit it toward a bottle if you buy. Fees and credits vary by tasting, so ask at the door.
Reservation rules differ too. Some wineries recommend booking and ask larger groups to notify them in advance. Others welcome drop-in visitors. If you travel as a group, book ahead. For a couple on a weekday, a short call to your first stop is usually enough.
Getting around the Bench without driving after a tasting
Each option has a limit, so match it to your day.
| Option | Distance or time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Car with a sober driver | About 14 km, 20 minutes to Naramata | The driver does not taste |
| Guided wine tour | Set route and pickup times | The guide drives; see the tour cards above |
| Bus 10 to Naramata | Regional route | Regional fare CA$4 per trip, day pass CA$8, children up to 12 free |
| Bicycle on the Rail Trail | About 16 km one way to the Little Tunnel, 1 to 1.5 hours | Detours to tastings may leave the old railway bed |
| Taxi | Metered | Penticton meter from 1 April 2026: CA$3.44 base, CA$2.62 per km |
For most visitors, a guided tour or a sober driver is the simplest plan. The bus suits a single village stop. Cyclists should not treat tastings as safe before riding either.
Cycling the Bench from Penticton
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail leads from Penticton through the vineyards toward Naramata and the Little Tunnel. It is about 16 km one way and takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours each direction. The detours up to tasting rooms are not always flat, and not every winery sits on the trail.
Parts of the wider trail network are closed in 2026, so read the Kettle Valley Rail Trail guide before you go. Check where you can hire bikes ahead of time.
Alcohol and the road in British Columbia
British Columbia applies road safety measures from a blood alcohol level of 0.05 %, which is 0.5 per mille. The legal limit of 0.08 % is not a safe amount to drive on. The rule of thumb for this guide is simple: the driver does not drink, and the same goes for anyone about to ride a bike.
Skaha Bench and the wider Okanagan
South of Penticton, the Skaha Bench follows about 10 km of the east shore of Skaha Lake and became a recognised sub-region at the same time as the Naramata Bench. The Okanagan has many more wine areas, including those around Summerland. For the valley-wide picture and tours across the region, see Okanagan wine tours. For a quieter base on the lake, read about where to stay, which covers Naramata as a separate village, and about Penticton wine tours.
Naramata Bench: frequently asked questions
How far is the Naramata Bench from Penticton?
Naramata village is about 14 km from Penticton, roughly 20 minutes by car. The wineries are spread along the road between the two.
Do I need to book a tasting?
It depends on the winery and on your group size. Some recommend booking and ask larger groups to tell them in advance, others welcome drop-ins. Call ahead if you travel as a group.
How much does a tasting cost?
Fees vary. Some wineries ask for a donation, others charge a fee that may be credited if you buy a bottle. Ask when you arrive.
Can I cycle from Penticton to Naramata?
Yes, on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail toward the Little Tunnel, about 16 km one way. Check the trail page for closures on other sections.
Can I stay in Naramata?
Yes. Naramata is its own village on the east shore, not part of downtown Penticton, and it has places to stay in the wine area. See where to stay for the lake sides compared.
How many wineries are on the Naramata Bench?
More than 40 wineries line the road toward Naramata village. Not every tasting room is open every day, so check before you set out.