How To Wine Down On A Weekend Getaway To Naramata In Fall

Hopping from vineyard to vineyard tasting wine all day might seem like a summer thing, but fall is actually the perfect time to do just that.

We’ve had an unseasonably warm fall so far, and what better way to make the most of it than for a weekend getaway to BC’s wine country?

Nestled in the Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench is home to the highest concentration of wineries in the province.

Additionally, the region offers a wealth of farm-to-table restaurants, outdoor attractions and unique places to stay.

TIED TOGETHER: 19 photos that prove fall in BC is like nowhere else on earth

How to unwind (and wine down) in Naramata.

where to drink

Discover the region’s 40+ wineries, featuring casks of Merlot, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and everything in between.

Specifically for sparkling wines, you must visit Bella Wines for an unparalleled tasting. Owner Jay is well known in Naramata, as are his wines (and the famous pigs that live on his property).

Bella is BC’s only wine producer that focuses exclusively on perlage, using traditional and ancestral methods.

Another popular spot is Nichol Vineyard which, along with its wide selection of wines, offers stunning views.

Nichol Vineyard is among the top three landmark wineries on the Naramata Bench. The small but mighty family-run winery was also the first of its kind to grow Syrah in Canada.

Daydreamer Wines is the “daydream” of co-owners Rachel and Marcus Ansems, who have both been in the wine business for over 20 years.

Marcus is one of six Masters of Wine in Canada and the only winemaker with a university degree. This dynamic duo is all about growing grapes with a sustainable approach.

Give your taste buds a break from wine (just for a little while) and try Legend Distilling. This true craft distillery produces premium small batch gin, vodka, whiskey and other local liquors.

It also has an expansive backyard area where you can enjoy a few sips and bites with the unsurpassed view of Naramata as the ultimate backdrop. However, you can’t leave without trying one of their signature G&T slushies.

where should we eat

Pair your wine with some farm-to-table dishes at several must-visit locations in and around the Naramata Bank.

Make sure to stop by Wayne & Freda on your way to Naramata. This quaint Penticton cafe serves coffee and a curated menu of breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, savory bowls and seasonally inspired toasts.

To stock up on fresh produce, canned goods, and other locally grown items, visit the Naramata Farmers’ Market, held on Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Manitou Park.

For a whimsical experience, Neverland Tea Cottage is the place to be. It’s the sister high tea spot of Vancouver’s Neverland Tea Salon and just as magical.

Start with some bubbly before tucking into a variety of mini sandwiches, decadent desserts and scones with clotted cream and jam.

Of course, you can also sip as many cups of tea as your heart desires while enjoying the enchanting fairytale atmosphere.

One of the area’s premier restaurants, Hillside Winery and Bistro features an upper deck with unsurpassed views of Okanagan Lake.

The menu features an array of small dishes, including Tanto Latte Burrata, Elk Tartare, Tomato Caprese, and the Naramata Bench Board, filled with house-cured meats, local cheeses, walnut bread, and pickles.

Or grab a meal for two with the 50-ounce tomahawk steak, served with seasonally inspired sides.

Located on the hillside of Munson Mountain, The Restaurant at Poplar Grove is another incredible place to dine.

Sip and enjoy Poplar’s award-winning wines with views of the vineyards and Okanagan Lake.

The menu features a range of small dishes, including beef tartare, watermelon panzanella, and parmesan gougeres.

For big plates, opt for the BBQ Glazed Pork Chop, Slow-Cooked Chuck Flat, or Crispy Skin Salmon.

Last but not least is the restaurant at the Naramata Inn. Led by top Canadian chef Ned Bell, this restaurant offers a hyper-local dining experience.

Start with dishes like their Naramata and Apple Sourdough Bread, Beets and Naramata Honey, Pacific Scallop and Corn, or 63 Acres Beef Tartare.

For mains, try the Dry Aged Fraser Valley Duck, Yarrow Meadows Chicken ‘Succotash’ or Wild BC Seafood.

Save some space for dessert though. The sweets list includes a Roasted Orchard Fruit Pot De Creme, Hazelnut Chocolate Cake, Chocolate and Whiskey Truffles, Ice Cream and Sherbet and more.

Where

After eating and drinking your way through the region, you must also explore some of its scenic attractions.

Take a short hike along Naramata Creek to reach the waterfall at Naramata Creek Park.

It’s about a 1.5-mile hike and only takes about an hour. The trail is popular year-round, but fall brings the crisp air and foliage that make it an even more beautiful sight.

Take a bike ride to the Little Tunnel along the Kettle Valley Railway Trail where you’ll want to stop and stay for a while.

There are picnic tables where you can enjoy lunch before heading back, but not before taking plenty of photos of this stunning site.

Rock Ovens Regional Park can also be discovered along the KVR. The park is home to a number of trails that lead to more than 10 “stone ovens” built by immigrant workers during construction of the Kettle Valley Railway. The stone ovens were used to bake bread to feed the workers during this period.

Where to sleep

Check into Sandy Beach Lodge and Resort for a relaxing stay you may never want to check out of.

The family-friendly retreat invites you to “relax, play and enjoy”. It features both lakefront log cabins and charming guest rooms.

It’s right on the beach where you can read a book or build a sandcastle or two.

The resort also has everything you need right on-site including a pool, hot tub, basketball hoops, tennis court and even a foosball table.

It’s also equipped with kayaks that you can take out, along with bocce and croquet sets.

Breakfast is part of the stay and changes every day with seasonally inspired ingredients to start your day off on the right foot.

Or step back in time with an unforgettable stay at the historic Naramata Inn, built 114 years ago. Each room has unique details that showcase its 1908 charm with clawfoot tubs and turn-of-the-century cabinetry.

The Inn has 12 rooms, each with access to the upper verandah which offers tranquil views of the gardens and lake.

Despite its age, it has reliable WiFi and cozy linens for a comfortable stay.

A light breakfast is also included and consists of fresh fruit and a yoghurt parfait with granola.

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