Naramata Private Wine Tour – Full Day

Taste the Naramata Bench your way. This private wine tour links five wineries with included tastings, short drives, and a guide who can adjust the day to your interests. I especially like the private format and the fact that all five tasting fees are covered. You are not paying extra at every cellar door, then watching the costs creep up.

I also like the practical help with lunch reservations and wine purchases. Guides Alan and Frank are praised for friendly service, local knowledge, and adapting the day to the group. The main drawback is the name: this is called a full-day tour, but the scheduled winery visits total about five hours, and transportation from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Vernon, or Osoyoos costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• Five wineries, five different tasting settings: You visit Poplar Grove, Hillside, Deep Roots, Nichol, and Laughing Stock.
• Private attention: Only your group takes part, so your guide can adjust winery choices and pacing.
• Tastings are included: The standard package covers tasting fees at all five wineries.
• Naramata Bench views: Short distances between wineries leave more time for wine and views over Okanagan Lake.
• Lunch help is included: A sit-down lunch reservation can be arranged, but the meal itself costs extra.
• Watch the transport zone: Pickup in Penticton and Summerland is within the regular zone. Other locations carry a surcharge.

Why a private Naramata wine tour works well

Wine touring is more enjoyable when you do not have to drive, watch the clock, or persuade a whole busload of strangers to stop at the winery you prefer. This private outing gives your group its own vehicle and guide, with an itinerary already prepared but room to request alternate wineries.

That flexibility matters on the Naramata Bench. You may want small producers and unusual bottles, while another group may care more about food, scenery, or polished tasting rooms. The guide can shape the day around those priorities, subject to availability.

The tour costs $291.48 per person. That is not a bargain-basement wine outing, but the price includes five winery tastings, bottled water, transportation within the regular zone, and private service. It becomes easier to justify when you are traveling as a couple, family, or small group and value a personal route rather than a fixed coach schedule.

The listed duration is approximately five hours. That gives you a useful half-day of tasting, though lunch and travel time affect the total day. If you expect a long morning-to-evening excursion, confirm the timing before booking. The title says full day, but the scheduled stops themselves add up to roughly three hours and 25 minutes, leaving the rest for driving, lunch, and conversation.

From the first pour at Poplar Grove

Poplar Grove begins the tasting route with five signature wines in a fully guided format. Thirty minutes is enough for a focused introduction, but it is not a leisurely meal-length visit. You will want to listen closely as the tasting moves through the lineup.

This is a good first stop because a guided flight gives you a reference point for the wineries that follow. Pay attention to which styles appeal to you, then tell your guide. That information can help shape later recommendations and purchases.

The short visit also keeps the route moving. If you are new to wine tasting, five wines in half an hour may feel brisk, but the guide can help make the tasting less intimidating. Ask direct questions. You do not need a trained palate or a large vocabulary to enjoy the stop.

Hillside Winery and a more intimate portfolio tasting

At Hillside Winery, you receive a 45-minute portfolio tasting focused on the latest releases. The longer appointment gives you more breathing room than the first stop and lets you compare several current wines rather than rushing through a short sample.

I like this kind of progression. Poplar Grove introduces the day with a signature selection, while Hillside gives you time to consider new releases and decide what you actually enjoy. If you are looking for bottles to take home, this is a sensible point to start noting names and styles.

The word portfolio means the tasting can cover a range of wines, not just one narrow specialty. Exact pours can change, so do not arrive expecting a fixed list. The useful approach is to treat the tasting as a conversation about the winery’s current work.

Deep Roots for a private tasting

Deep Roots Winery offers a private wine tasting lasting about 45 minutes. The private setting adds another layer of personal attention, especially for anyone who wants to ask questions without holding up a larger group.

This stop should suit you if you prefer a quieter tasting and want the guide or winery staff to respond to your interests. You can focus on grape varieties, production choices, or simply the wines you like best. A private appointment is also helpful for groups with different levels of wine experience.

The tradeoff is that the experience depends partly on your own participation. If your group wants a detailed tasting, speak up. If you prefer a relaxed pour and a quick look around, say so. The point of a private stop is that your preferences have more room than they would on a standard group schedule.

A brief visit to pioneering Nichol Winery

Nichol Winery and Vineyard is one of the first three pioneering wineries on the Naramata Bench. It works on a small scale, with close attention to grape quality and the wine’s development in the cellar.

The scheduled visit is only 10 minutes, so think of Nichol as a quick taste of a small producer rather than a long tasting-room session. That short stop may appeal to you if you want variety and a sense of the Bench’s early wine story. It will disappoint you if you expect a lengthy presentation or a broad flight.

Small-scale production can mean limited availability. If you find a bottle you love, ask about purchasing it while you are there. Since the tour can help with carrying cases, you do not have to treat every purchase as a balancing act for the rest of the day.

Laughing Stock and the seated finish

The final listed stop is Laughing Stock Vineyards, a boutique winery on the Naramata Bench. Its 45-minute tasting takes place in a seated setting and includes access to limited-production wines, including bottles available only at the winery.

A seated tasting makes a good finish. By this point, you have already visited several producers, and sitting down gives you a chance to slow the pace and compare what you have tasted. The limited winery-only wines also give you a reason to save room in your buying plan.

This stop is likely to appeal most to people who enjoy premium tastings and a more personal presentation. It can also add cost if you choose a tasting upgrade or buy limited wines, since upgrades are not included in the base price. Ask about the cost before adding anything beyond the included tasting.

The views and the short drives between wineries

The Naramata Bench is known for winery views toward Okanagan Lake, and the route makes good use of the area’s close spacing. One useful advantage is less time spent in transit between stops. You are not crossing a huge wine region all afternoon just to reach the next tasting room.

The scenery is part of the value, but it should not be confused with a dedicated sightseeing tour. The main purpose is wine tasting. You will have views from the winery area and during the drives, but the supplied schedule does not promise separate photo stops or extended sightseeing time.

Bring a simple plan for your purchases. Five tastings can create more bottles than expected, especially when a winery offers something you cannot easily find elsewhere. Chilled bottled and sparkling water are provided, which is welcome during a day of repeated pours.

Lunch planning without the lunch bill

The operator makes a reservation for a sit-down lunch. That is a useful service because it removes one awkward decision from a day already organized around appointments. It also lets your guide choose a restaurant that fits the route and your group’s preferences.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You should budget for it separately and clarify the restaurant and menu costs if price matters. One particularly praised lunch choice had an impressive view and good food, but your exact restaurant can vary.

A sit-down meal also gives you a sensible pause between tastings. Wine tours are not wine-drinking contests. Eat, drink water, and tell your guide if you want to slow down. A private tour is at its best when the day feels comfortable rather than crammed.

How much flexibility do you really get?

The route lists five specific wineries, but you can follow the guide’s plan or request your own choices. Alternate wineries are available upon request, and tasting upgrades may be purchased for an additional fee.

That does not mean every request is guaranteed. Winery appointments, opening times, and availability still shape the route. Make your preferences clear when booking or early in the day, especially if you want smaller producers, a certain wine style, or more food-focused stops.

The private setup gives you more control than a standard group outing. A couple can turn the day into a relaxed date, while a group of friends can focus on bottles, scenery, or a broad mix of producers. One group especially enjoyed the range of wineries and the way the guide adjusted details as the day unfolded.

Guides, service, and the human side of the day

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the guide. Alan is described as an excellent driver and a well-informed guide to wine and the Naramata area. Frank is praised for adjusting the outing to suit the group, helping with wine cases, and choosing a lunch location with a fine view.

Those details matter more than a polished vehicle or a long list of stops. A good guide keeps the day moving, explains the region in plain language, and notices when your group wants more detail or less. The private format makes that kind of adjustment possible.

Language support may require care. One French-speaking group had requested a French tour but did not receive it without advance notice. The guide was kind and worked to make the group comfortable, but you should confirm language availability before you pay if French or another language is important.

Pickup zones and extra transportation costs

Regular pickup and drop-off transportation covers Penticton and Summerland. Locations outside that zone carry an added transportation surcharge.

The listed surcharge starts at $49 per group for transportation from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Vernon, or Osoyoos. That is charged by group, not per person, but it still changes the total cost. Ask for the exact amount for your address before booking.

Pickup is offered, which is important for a tasting day. Do not plan to drive after consuming wine. If your lodging sits outside the regular zone, compare the surcharge with the cost and hassle of reaching Penticton or Summerland on your own.

Who should book this private wine outing?

I would choose this tour if you want five tastings without driving and care about having a guide to yourself. It is especially suitable for couples, families with adult wine drinkers, and small groups who want to request changes rather than accept a fixed bus route.

It also suits people who are new to the Naramata Bench. The guide can explain the area, help you compare wineries, and make the region easier to understand in one outing. You do not need advanced wine knowledge to take part. Most people can participate.

I would hesitate if you want a long, unhurried full-day program with extensive time at every winery. Nichol’s 10-minute stop is very brief, and the complete scheduled experience is approximately five hours. I would also look elsewhere if you want the lowest possible price or if you are staying outside the regular pickup zone and dislike added transportation fees.

The tour has a 4.5 rating from 23 reviews, with 91 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, though the sample is not large. The main pattern is clear: the personal guide service, flexible planning, good winery mix, and scenic setting are the reasons to book.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded, and the tour may be moved or refunded if its minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the Naramata Private Wine Tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible wine day with five included tastings, help arranging lunch, and no need to drive between wineries. The best value comes when your group uses the guide well: explain what you like, ask for alternate wineries if needed, and confirm pickup costs before booking.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed long full-day schedule, a fixed French-language guide, or an all-inclusive price that covers lunch and every transport zone. For everyone else, this is a practical way to sample the Naramata Bench in a short time while leaving room for personal service and a few excellent bottles to take home.

FAQ

How long does the Naramata Private Wine Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. The winery appointments themselves total about three hours and 25 minutes, with additional time used for driving and lunch arrangements.

How many wineries are included?

Five wineries are included: Poplar Grove Winery, Hillside Winery, Deep Roots Winery, Nichol Winery and Vineyard, and Laughing Stock Vineyards.

Are wine tasting fees included?

Yes. The standard tour includes tasting fees at all five wineries.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. The operator makes a reservation for a sit-down lunch, but you pay for the meal separately.

Can I choose different wineries?

Yes. You may follow the guide’s suggested route or request your own wineries. Alternate wineries are available upon request.

Where is regular pickup offered?

The regular transportation zone covers Penticton and Summerland. Pickup locations outside that area may require an additional transportation surcharge.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.