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

Great wine, big views, no driving required. This six-hour outing takes you across the Naramata Bench for tastings at eight wineries, a proper lunch stop, and door-to-door pickup in the Penticton area. I like the tasting fees and 15% guide gratuity included, and I like the mix of family wineries, boutique producers, and long-running estate vineyards. The main catch is that lunch and GST cost extra, so the final price will be higher than the tour rate.

You will visit many wineries in one day, usually with about 30 minutes at each tasting room. That keeps the day moving, though it leaves little time for a slow vineyard walk or a long conversation at any one stop. The group limit of 14 helps, and the guide’s text confirmation the night before makes pickup simple.

The tour has earned a five-star rating from all 29 posted reviews. One particularly warm review praises Herb for going out of his way to make the day enjoyable, with delicious wines and an easygoing spirit. That personal touch matters on a wine tour, where a good guide can turn a string of tastings into a connected sense of place.

Key points at a glance

• Eight winery tastings on the Naramata Bench: The route covers MOCOJO, Moraine, Three Sisters, Lang, Ruby Blues, Deep Roots, Serendipity, Wesbert, and Lake Breeze.
• Pickup and drop-off in the Penticton area: You can provide your hotel or vacation rental address instead of making your way to a central meeting point.
• Tasting fees and gratuity are included: You pay separately for lunch, GST, and bottles you choose to take home.
• A 45-minute lunch option: The schedule includes food stops at Lake Breeze, Naramata Inn, or Poplar Grove, with the meal paid directly to the restaurant.
• A small group of no more than 14: This is more personal than a large coach outing, though the exact feel depends on the day’s attendance.
• A guide who handles the logistics: Air-conditioned transport, bottled water, and a wine concierge keep the day comfortable and orderly.

Why the Naramata Bench works so well for a wine day

The Naramata Bench is a compact wine area above Okanagan Lake, with vineyards set among pale clay cliffs and broad views over the water. The setting does much of the work here. You are not simply moving from one tasting room to another. You are seeing how vineyards, lake breezes, family farming, and small-scale winemaking fit together.

This route also gives you useful variety. MOCOJO has a newer, welcoming feel, while Lang has more than three decades of family winemaking behind it. Deep Roots draws on four generations of farming, and Serendipity grew from an orchard transformed into a vineyard by Judy Kingston.

That range makes the tour useful for first-time visitors. You can taste across several styles without having to plan a complicated route or decide which wineries deserve your time. You also avoid the obvious problem of driving after repeated tastings.

The short stops are both a strength and a limitation. Thirty minutes is enough for four or five pours, a brief explanation, and a look around the shop. It is not enough for a long vineyard visit at every property. If you want deep technical talks at two or three wineries, a private or smaller custom tour may suit you better.

MOCOJO Winery starts the tasting lineup

MOCOJO Winery opened in 2014 and grew from a small B&B operation into a busy tasting destination. Its early wines included Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Marechal Foch, and Malbec, followed by Rosé and Merlot.

You can expect four or five tastings here, with time to browse the shop. The story is part of the appeal. MOCOJO shows how a young winery can grow quickly when visitors respond to the wine and the setting.

This is a useful opening stop because you can get a sense of the Okanagan’s range right away. The tasting is included, but bottle purchases are not, so keep track of what you buy if you are visiting several shops in one day.

Moraine Winery pairs wine with a charitable purpose

Moraine Winery sits above Okanagan Lake on a shelf-like section of the Naramata Bench, framed by white clay cliffs shaped by glacial forces. The view is a major reason to pay attention here, so do not rush through the outdoor portion of the stop.

Owners Oleg and Svetlana moved from Europe to Canada in 1995, later leaving Edmonton for the Okanagan and beginning their winery project in 2009. Their approach connects wine with simple pleasure, but there is also a social side: a portion of tasting fees supports Chalice, an international charity that helps pay medical expenses for children in need.

The tasting includes four or five wines and time to shop. I like this stop for the combination of scenery, family story, and charitable giving. It gives the day a little more substance than a simple succession of pours.

Three Sisters Winery keeps the family story close

Three Sisters Winery grew from a family project involving Rebecca, her winemaker husband Matt, and her parents, John and Liz. The first vintage was made in a barn on the family vineyard, with relatives and friends helping label the bottles by hand.

That origin story helps explain the winery’s style. The wines aim to be elegant but approachable, suitable for relaxed porch drinking or a dinner table. The winemaking takes a hands-off approach, allowing the fruit to lead.

Again, plan on four or five tastings and time in the shop. This is the sort of stop that suits you if you enjoy meeting the people and hearing how a small label came together. The 30-minute window gives you a taste of the family character without turning the visit into a long interview.

Lang Vineyards brings more than 30 years of experience

Lang Vineyards began in 1990 when Guenther Lang started making wine in his garage. It became British Columbia’s first Farm Gate Vineyard and grew into one of the Naramata Bench’s older family estate wineries.

The stop offers four or five complimentary tastings, plus shopping time. Its value is the historical contrast with newer producers such as MOCOJO and Wesbert. You get to see how a family winery can develop from a very small beginning into an established boutique operation.

For you, this is also a good reminder that age and scale do not always mean the same thing. Lang remains a family estate winery, so the visit still fits the intimate character of the route.

Ruby Blues adds a playful boutique mood

Ruby Blues takes a different tone. Owners Prudence and Beat sold Red Rooster Winery in 2008, then returned to a smaller operation focused on the vines, wine, and personal contact. The winery’s rock-and-roll theme gives it a lighter, more playful personality than some of the more traditional stops.

The wines use Okanagan-grown grapes, with much of the fruit coming from the owners’ local vineyards. You can taste four or five wines and browse local artisan goods as well as bottles.

I would pay attention to the shop here if you are looking for a gift that is not just another bottle. The visit is still short, but Ruby Blues gives the route some variety in mood and presentation.

Deep Roots Winery reflects four generations of farming

Deep Roots is a family-run winery above Okanagan Lake, set among the clay cliffs of the Naramata Bench. The family farmed for more than a century and sold grapes to other producers before deciding to make wine under its own name.

That background matters. Deep Roots is built around pride in the vineyard and the quality of its fruit, rather than a sudden leap into winemaking without agricultural experience. The tasting room opened in 2014, two years after the family began making its own wine in 2012.

The schedule allows about 30 minutes. You will have time for a tasting and shopping, but not a leisurely farm visit. Still, this stop gives you a clear look at the link between farming and winemaking in the Okanagan.

Serendipity Winery combines wine with food

Serendipity began in 2005 when Judy Kingston found an orchard in Naramata and decided to turn it into a boutique vineyard. The first planting included Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc, with the first harvest arriving in 2009.

Judy and her daughter Katie, the head winemaker, welcome visitors at the winery. The property also includes a wine shop and a bistro serving seasonal food. Serendipity has received major recognition, including BC Winery of the Year.

You can taste four or five complimentary wines and shop during the half-hour stop. The presence of the bistro makes this one of the more appealing places to linger, though the tour’s schedule does not allow for a full meal here unless the day’s lunch plan specifically uses this venue, which is not listed among the lunch options.

Wesbert Winery shows a newer family chapter

The Joubert family opened Wesbert Winery in 2019 after moving from South Africa. Their warm hospitality is part of the identity, and the setting works well for people who like to combine wine country with outdoor access. The winery is close to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and attracts hikers, cyclists, and beachgoers.

The property has a wine shop, tasting room, and terrace. Five grape varieties grow in the vineyard, with a second vineyard and additional varietals added since 2020.

The tasting includes four or five complimentary pours. Wesbert is a useful counterpoint to Lang and Deep Roots. It is newer, but it still follows a low-intervention approach that lets the fruit and Naramata growing conditions guide the wine.

Lake Breeze is both a tasting stop and a lunch possibility

Lake Breeze sits where the Naramata Bench meets the water, with breezes crossing the bluffs. The MacIntyre family began the winery in 2001, and the property now focuses on wines that express the fruit and the place with minimal intervention.

The tour includes a tasting stop here, with time to browse and shop. The schedule also lists the Patio Restaurant at Lake Breeze as one possible lunch venue.

If lunch is served here, you can expect a 45-minute meal period and a menu built around local, organic ingredients. The on-site Farmstead supplies vegetables, fruit, and herbs for the kitchen, while the restaurant’s tasting menu is designed to match Lake Breeze wines.

Lunch is not included. You pay the restaurant directly, so budget for the meal in addition to the tour fee, GST, and any bottles you purchase.

Three lunch settings give the day a proper pause

The schedule also includes The Restaurant at Naramata Inn as a lunch option. Its menu focuses on local fruit, responsibly sourced proteins, and ingredients foraged from nearby hills, with seasonal dishes shaped by Okanagan farms and orchards.

This choice suits you if food matters as much as wine. The 45-minute timing is useful, but it is still a fairly quick lunch, not a long afternoon meal with several courses and extended wine pairing.

A third option is The Restaurant at Poplar Grove, set on the slopes of Munson Mountain. The dining room offers wide views over Okanagan Lake, with food from Executive Chef Stacy Johnston centered on products from the Okanagan Valley.

The schedule allows 30 minutes at Poplar Grove. That makes it the shortest listed lunch period, so you should expect a more efficient meal. Since the information does not specify how the lunch venue is assigned, confirm the plan when your guide contacts you.

What the included value really looks like

A wine tour can become expensive through small add-ons. Here, tasting fees are covered at the listed wineries, and 15% gratuity for the guide is included. Bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle are also provided.

The door-to-door pickup and drop-off in the Penticton area add real value. You do not have to arrange a taxi, find parking at each winery, or nominate one person to avoid drinking. The vehicle also keeps the route practical during a six-hour day.

You still need to pay for lunch, GST, and wine purchases. Since eight wineries offer four or five tastes each, buying even a few bottles can quickly add to the total. I suggest deciding before the day whether you want a mixed case, one special bottle, or only tasting notes.

The tour has a maximum of 14 people. That is small enough for a more personal outing than a large bus, though not necessarily quiet or private. If Herb is your guide, his record of going the extra mile is a welcome sign, but guide assignments can vary.

Timing, pickup, and practical points

The listed start time is 10:30 a.m. Pickup is available at your hotel or vacation rental in the Penticton area. You need to provide the pickup address when booking, and the guide texts the night before to confirm the exact pickup time.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, the tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so check your plans carefully before paying. If the minimum number is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Naramata wine tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the Naramata Bench without handling transportation. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who want many tastings, scenic stops, a built-in lunch break, and a guide who manages the day.

It is also a strong choice for first-time Okanagan wine visitors. The winery mix gives you family stories, newer labels, established estates, charity-minded business, local food, and several chances to compare winemaking styles.

I would hesitate if your priority is a slow, private day at only two or three wineries. Thirty minutes per tasting room keeps the route efficient, but it limits time for long tours, vineyard walks, and detailed questions. Lunch is another cost to plan for, and the non-refundable policy makes flexible scheduling difficult.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want the Naramata Bench in one well-organized day, especially if you are staying in Penticton and value pickup, included tastings, and a small group. The full route gives you strong variety, while the included gratuity and tasting fees make the price easier to judge.

Before booking, ask which lunch venue is planned and confirm the pickup address. Bring room in your budget for lunch, GST, and bottles. If those points work for you, this is a practical and highly praised way to taste widely without worrying about the road home.

FAQ

How long does the Naramata wine tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and begins at 10:30 a.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available at your hotel or vacation rental in the Penticton area. You should provide the address when booking.

Are wine tasting fees included?

Yes. Tasting fees at the included winery stops are covered. The tour also includes 15% gratuity for the guide.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is paid directly to the winery restaurant or dining venue. GST and wine purchases are also separate.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of low numbers?

If the operator cancels because the minimum number of participants is not met, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.