Naramata, B.C. or as locals call it, The Bench, is the Okanagan’s best-kept secret that’s not really a secret. This village of only 2000 people is the unassuming home to over 40 wineries, numerous cideries and breweries and some of the most quaint accommodations.
However, Naramata is more than the sum of its wineries, it transports its visitors to another place. One patio feels like you’re in the south of France, another view whisks you off to California, your stay at the Naramata Inn feels like a boutique hotel in Switzerland, and yet, Naramata has a charm of its very own.
Stay at the Naramata Inn for that local, boutique, European vibe, perfect for romantic getaways, bachelorettes, or a girl’s getaway. The two bedroom, Innkeeper Suite is the perfect room to host your party. The elegance is in the details, pink velvet chairs, floral wallpaper, a grand decorative fireplace, clawfoot tub, views to the courtyard, and two spacious outdoor decks.
The Victorian-meets-modern vibe gives the experience character and charisma. Make sure you set aside time to enjoy the grounds as well, which are beautifully landscaped for sipping a beverage in the garden among the lavender.
We began our time away with a Naramata happy hour, celebrating with Naramata Wine’s premium labels like Three Sisters Winery, Lang Vineyards, Four Shadows Winery, Moraine Winery, Tightrope Winery, Deep Roots Winery and Poplar Grove, accompanied by charcuterie from The Graze Company. A fun way to start any vacation with the girls!
Don’t miss your chance to tantalize your taste buds with the culinary creations of Canadian chef, Ned Bell. His hyper-local menu is a tribute to Naramata’s agriculture culture, and love for supporting local.
Each created dish has a suggested wine pairing by award-winning wine director, Emily Walker. I recommend the 63 Acres Beef Tartare and the Dry Aged Fraser Valley Duck. Complete your culinary encounter with Caramel Choux a la Creme, a salted honey caramel, with crunchy toffee and creme fraiche sorbet.
The morning sunshine filters in for breakfast at the Inn which includes in-house made granola with local BC yogurt, freshly made croissants, and of course, you can show up in your signature robes.
The peacock theme pays homage to the two peacocks that used to roam the village, sadly the peacocks are no longer but their legacy for stunning plumage lives on at the Naramata Inn.
The amount of places to go, wineries to visit and ways to spend your time on the Bench can feel overwhelming. Pick just a few places to savour and plan to visit more than once rather than speed-date through the options. Naramata is a place to rest, rejuvenate and appreciate.
My recommended stops for Naramata, BC
Begin the day with a stroll through the village and a stop at Just Baked: Naramata Street Coffee. This cute little place is easy to miss but seriously don’t! This is your chance to strike up a conversation with the locals, support a local business and have the best scones of your life. The lattes are fantastic, made with love and best enjoyed in the crisp autumn air.
You can’t miss the bright red tasting room of Joie Farm Winery. This is the perfect stop for wines that pair well with west coast cuisine and woodfire pizza!
It was here we sampled Joie Farm Winery wines in a can, the perfect drink to have on hand when the situation calls for wine but perhaps not the entire bottle. We loved the Noble Blend and Tiny Bubbles, both are like sipping an Okanagan day poolside.
A benchmark tasting and lunch at Poplar Grove family-owned and operated winery and one of the original first five wineries on the Bench is next. In a stunning tasting room, enjoy the soothing decor, spectacular lake and city views, and exceptional quality wines.
The girls and I agreed this is one of the best lunches we have ever had with unique dishes and methods completely new to us such as the comeback sauce in the country fried oysters and the pickled beet salad we couldn’t stop raving about.
Every dish has a delicate quality of creative assembly and an outpouring of flavour in every bite, high praise from food critics like Jenna Swetlikoff and wine connoisseur, Kayla Bordignon from BC’s Wine Passport.
End the day lounging by the fountain, on the patio of La Petite Abeille for a cider tasting and phenomenal lake views.
Employing new and old-world cider-making techniques, La Petite Abeille ciders have the perfect balance between bubble, flavour and sweetness. Using hand-picked fruit and even some unique ingredients like carrots, we’ve never enjoyed cider like this before.
Thanks for following along with our adventure in Naramata. I’d love to hear your suggestions for our next visit! Follow for more travel inspiration @loewenlifestyle and let’s connect!
A special thank you to Hillary from @littlestphotographyco from Penticton, BC for her amazing documentation of our getaway!
