With a nod to J.R. Tolkien’s The Old Walking Song aka The Road Goes Ever On by hobbit Bilbo Baggins, each time I travel the 15-km route along Naramata Road, I marvel at the epic adventure that unfolds. Here you’ll find the Naramata Bench Wineries Association and its 27 member wineries including Bella Wines, Bench 1775 Winery, Black Widow Winery, D’Angelo Estate Winery, Daydreamer Wines, Deep Roots Winery, Elephant Island Orchard Wines, Hillside Estate Winery & Bistro, Howling Bluff Estate Winery, Kettle Valley Winery, La Frenz Winery, Lake Breeze Vineyards, Lang Vineyards, Misconduct Wine Co., Monster Vineyards, Moraine Estate Winery, Nichol Vineyard, Perseus Winery, Poplar Grove Winery, Quidni Estate Winery, Red Rooster Winery, Serendipity Winery, Terravista Vineyards, Therapy Vineyards, Tightrope Winery, Upper Bench Winery & Creamery, and Van Westen Vineyards. The drive in itself is epic as you wind along the captivating country road through orchards and vineyards, set between Okanagan Lake and craggy hillside, from the City of Penticton to the Village of Naramata. Yet, the real adventure begins as you are welcomed into the wineries that keep evolving as eclectic treasures. Each trip you’ll discover more deliciousness whether it’s in new vintages at known favourites or at new wineries, in the epicurean options, or at winery events. Debuting this season is Sig’s Grille at Therapy, for fresh grilled comfort food; an outdoor lounge at Quidni; and a Bistro at Bench 1775. Mark your calendar for the 13th Annual Naramata Tailgate Party, Saturday, September 10th, to be hosted at Red Rooster Winery. It sells out earlier each year so watch for ticket sales in early June and buy yours soon. Check naramatabench.com frequently for winery events through the season and click through the links to the wineries’ individual websites for all of the exciting happenings and info. Let your wine touring journeys begin.
~ Roslyne Buchanan