Wine Geeks Only: Naramata Bench Terroir Driving Tour

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Wine Geeks Only: Naramata Bench Terroir Driving Tour

(6 reviews)
Naramata audio tour: Wine Geeks Only: Naramata Bench Terroir Driving Tour
This is a 17mi driving tour
It takes an average of 40 mins to complete.
Naramata
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Free
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About the Tour

When you taste a Naramata Bench wine, ask yourself – what is the sense of place in the glass? This deep dive tour, designed for wine geeks and wine trade, explores the Naramata Bench terroir. You'll learn about soil, climate, regional wine history, our approach to grape farming and our special winemaking culture. As you wind your way along the scenic rural roads - can you taste the Naramata Bench?

This tour begins at the Marina Way Park parking lot in downtown Penticton and ends near the village of Naramata. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

  • Explore the concept of terroir and the exact climatic, geological and cultural factors contributing to the Naramata Bench's wines.
  • Discover hidden corners of the benchland's agricultural landscape, including beaches and backroads
  • Stop and sample at artisan wineries all along the Naramata Bench

This driving tour takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx (Okanagan) people, who have resided here since time immemorial. We recognize, honour, and respect the syilx lands, and appreciate the opportunity to learn about, and enjoy this special place.

This tour was narrated by Marion Barschel, written by Arnica Rowan, and produced by Terroir Consulting for Discover Naramata. Thanks to Destination BC, Wine Growers BC, the Naramata Bench Wineries Association, the Naramata Heritage Museum, the Okanagan Archive Trust Society, and photographers Jon Adrian and Caillum Smith for the beautiful photographs. Thanks to Peach City Community Radio for providing a great recording studio.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

Categories
Scenic Routes Food And Drink Ecology

Tour Producer

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Discover Naramata

27 tours

Naramata... a stunning agricultural landscape, world-class food and wine of the Naramata Bench, a charming village at the end of winding country road. This CittaSlow-certified community is Western Canada's most beloved, slow-paced, vacation destination. Featured in the New York Times, Monte Cristo, National Geographic, Dwell, and more, this breath-taking slice of the Okanagan Valley is yours to explore.

Discover Naramata is a non-profit, member-run Destination Marketing Organization for the community of Naramata, BC, Canada. We support the marketing and building of a destination recognized by those looking for an authentic, quality, slow travel experience and supports the community and people who make this unique destination special. Our society is governed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and represents more than 80 businesses that comprise the local tourism economy.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for this audio tour project.

The views, opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations expressed in these materials are those of the author(s). These materials do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Government of British Columbia. The Government of British Columbia does not endorse, nor has it confirmed the validity of the information contained in, these materials.

Preview Location

Location 23

Dry, Desert Air

As we drive, let's talk about the climate.

Moist Pacific Ocean air crosses over Vancouver, climbing up the Coastal Mountain range, and depositing precipitation in the coastal rainforests as it rises. On the eastern side of the Coastal Mountain range, a rain shadow effect ta... Read More
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Major Landmarks

  • Three Sisters Winery

  • Monster Vineyards

  • Munson Mountain

  • Howling Bluff Estate Winery

  • Three Mile Beach - Nude Beach

  • Laughing Stock Vineyards

  • The Wine Vault

  • Naramata Lakeside Guesthouse

  • Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery

  • MOCOJO Winery

  • Moraine Estate Winery

  • Bench 1775 Winery

  • Elephant Island Winery

  • Van Westen Vineyards

  • Manitou Park

  • Grape Leaf Café

  • Marina Way Park

  • Ikeda Japanese Garden

  • Okanagan Lake

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.
  1. Start location
    368 Vancouver Ave, Penticton, BC V2A 1A5, Canada
  2. Total distance
    27km
  3. Final location
    1092-2728 Aikins Loop, Naramata, BC V0H 1N1, Canada
  4. Distance back to start location
    8km

Directions to Starting Point

Start this fascinating audio terroir-focussed audio tour at the Marina Way Park parking lot in downtown Penticton. The parking lot is between the Penticton Art Gallery and the lake, in front of the Japanese Gardens.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

If you fancy stopping at a Naramata Bench winery along the route, feel free to do a tasting and resume the tour.

Best time of day

This is an all seasons driving tour. On winter roads, please take care to drive slowly and always use winter tires.

Precautions

Note that the speed limit along the Naramata Bench is mostly 50 km/hr; however the speed limit in the village of Naramata is only 30 km/hr. It's called slow living!

If you stop to taste along the way, please make sure you spit or use a sober designated driver. It‘s illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol.

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