Naramata Full Day Lunch Wine Tour- Incl. Tasting Fees & Gratuity!

Exploring the Naramata Bench Wine Tour: An Honest Look at the Full-Day Experience

If you’re considering a full-day wine tour in the Okanagan Valley, the Naramata Bench Wine Tour promises a blend of beautiful scenery, boutique wineries, and plenty of tastings. It’s a popular choice among travelers looking for a relaxed yet engaging way to experience BC’s renowned wine region. While I haven’t personally been on this tour, the glowing reviews and detailed itinerary paint a pretty inviting picture.

What we love about this experience? First, the carefully curated stops at a diverse selection of wineries, each with its own personality and story. Second, the guides are praised for being knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging, making the day both fun and informative. Of course, a potential snag is that lunch isn’t included—you’ll pay for that separately—and the tour is non-refundable, so planning ahead is key.

This tour really suits those who want a comprehensive taste of the Naramata Bench without the fuss of planning every detail themselves. If you love discovering new wines, soaking up stunning views, and enjoy a relaxed pace, this experience is likely to hit the right notes.

Key Points

• All-Inclusive Feel: Tasting fees, water, and gratuity are covered, making it easy to relax.
• Expert Guides: Consistently praised for their friendliness and knowledge, adding value to each stop.
• Beautiful Scenery: Wineries with stunning lake and hillside views, perfect for photo ops.
• Flexible Itinerary: Visits to 5 wineries plus optional lunch stops, with plenty of tasting time.
• Group Size: Small group tours capped at 14 travelers, ensuring a more personal experience.
• Price Point: Around $145 per person, offering good value given the full day, tastings, and included amenities.

The Full-Day Itinerary: What to Expect

Starting off at 10:30 am with pickup in Penticton, the tour kicks into gear with a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. From the outset, the tour aims to offer a laid-back yet engaging day exploring some of the most engaging wineries on the Naramata Bench.

First Stop: MOCOJO Winery

Our journey begins at MOCOJO Winery, which has been around since 2014. Known for their Gewurztraminer and Viognier, they also produce Marechal Foch and Malbec. The small 30-minute visit includes your tasting fees already covered, so it’s all about savoring some of BC’s finest wines, with plenty of time to ask questions and soak in the relaxed vibe.

Reviewers highlight the friendly staff and the quality of the wines, making this a memorable start. The winery’s relatively new, boutique feel offers a nice introduction to BC’s evolving wine scene.

Moraine Winery: A Family-Owned Gem

Next, you’ll visit Moraine Winery, perched above Okanagan Lake with views so good you’ll want to take photos from every angle. Known for their scenic setting and family ownership, this stop combines great wines with stunning vistas. It’s a quick 30-minute stop but leaves a lasting impression thanks to its unique shelf-like location and panoramic views.

Three Sisters Winery: A Family Affair

The third stop is Three Sisters Winery, created by a family team with a shared passion. They focus on crafting wines from local grapes, and the atmosphere reflects that genuine, welcoming vibe. The reviews mention heralding their guide as both informative and entertaining, making the tasting experience both educational and fun.

Lang Vineyards: A Classic on the Bench

We then visit Lang Vineyards, which boasts over 33 years of winemaking experience. As one of the oldest family estate wineries on the Naramata Bench, it’s a place where tradition and quality come together. You’ll get a taste of their signature wines and enjoy the charm of a winery that has grown with the region.

Ruby Blues & Deep Roots: Boutique Wineries with Character

Ruby Blues is described as “the coolest boutique winery,” focusing on grapes grown right there on their vineyard. The tasting here feels intimate, with a focus on local grapes and craftsmanship.

Deep Roots offers a family-run experience, grown over four generations. They’re known for their over a century of farming experience—a real highlight if you’re into wineries with stories and history behind them.

Serendipity & Wesbert: Unique and Personal

Serendipity Winery was inspired by a discovery in 2005 and offers a personal touch, emphasizing orchard and farm-to-table influences.

Wesbert Winery, launched by South African newcomers in 2019, injects some international flavor into the local scene with their warm hospitality. Their vineyard features five grape varieties, giving you a good spectrum of BC’s diversity.

Lake Breeze Winery & The Lunch Stops

Lake Breeze Winery is known for blending breathtaking views with solid winemaking. You’ll spend around 30 minutes here, soaking up the scenery.

Optional Lunch: You can choose to eat at The Patio Restaurant or Naramata Inn, both offering farm-to-table experiences. Keep in mind, lunch isn’t included in the tour price and costs are payable directly to the restaurants. Reviews praise the lunch spots for their quality and atmosphere, but note that lunch options and costs vary.

Final wineries and transfer back

The tour wraps up with visits to Poplar Grove Winery, famous for its panoramic location, and a little more tasting fun before heading back to Penticton by late afternoon.

What Sets This Tour Apart

The guided aspect is a big plus. Multiple reviews mention guides like Herb, Stuart, and James as being knowledgeable, friendly, and making the experience engaging. Their stories, humor, and attentiveness seem to elevate the day from a simple tasting to a memorable outing.

You get a good mix of small boutique wineries, family-run estates, and larger, scenic spots. The variety keeps the experience fresh, and the views at each stop add a visual dimension that complements the wines.

Transport and amenities are well thought out. An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a small group size improve comfort and intimacy. The door-to-door pickup and drop-off in Penticton make logistics simple, especially if you’re staying nearby.

Tasting fees are included, which is a real advantage. With so many wineries, the costs can add up, so knowing they’re covered with your ticket makes the price seem more attractive.

Considering the Cost: Is It Worth It?

At about $145 per person, the tour offers quite good value for a full day of wine tasting, guided visits, and logistics taken care of. The price does not include lunch or wine purchases, so budget accordingly if you plan to buy bottles.

Many reviews describe the tour as “great value” because of the convenience, the quality of wines, and the friendly guides. The included tasting fees, bottled water, and gratuity all add to the sense that this is a well-rounded package.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

This tour is perfect for wine enthusiasts who want a relaxed, curated experience without the hassle of planning. If you enjoy learning about wines through guides who are both knowledgeable and personable, you’ll appreciate the company and commentary.

It’s also a good choice for those who value scenic beauty—the views across Okanagan Lake and the rolling hills are truly stunning. While not specifically marketed as family-friendly, this experience is best suited for adults, given the tasting focus and the nature of the stops.

If you’re in Penticton or nearby and want a comprehensive, fun, and scenic day exploring the Naramata Bench, this tour feels like a solid option. The small-group setting ensures you’ll get personalized touches, making it a memorable outing.

FAQ

Is lunch included in the tour?
No, lunch is not included. You can purchase it directly at the winery restaurants, which are part of the stops, and it’s pay-as-you-go.

How long does the tour last?
The tour runs for approximately 6 hours, starting at 10:30 am with pick-up in Penticton, and returning in the late afternoon.

Are tasting fees covered?
Yes, the tour price includes tasting fees at all five wineries, so you won’t need to worry about extra costs during tastings.

What’s the group size?
The tour is limited to a maximum of 14 travelers, which helps keep things personal and relaxed.

What’s the price per person?
It’s about $144.76 per person, offering a good balance of value and experience, especially considering all the amenities included.

Can I customize the stops or the itinerary?
Since the tour is pre-arranged with set stops, customization isn’t typically offered. However, the itinerary covers a well-rounded selection of wineries and scenic spots.

In Short
This Naramata Bench Wine Tour offers a thoughtfully curated, scenic, and engaging day for wine lovers. The combination of knowledgeable guides, stunning views, and a variety of boutique wineries makes it a standout choice for anyone wanting to explore the region without stress. While the cost doesn’t include lunch and the tour is non-refundable, the overall experience seems to deliver excellent value, especially given the personal touches and scenic beauty.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, just looking for a relaxing escape, or genuinely interested in BC wines, this tour has the ingredients for a memorable day in the sun-dappled hills of the Okanagan.