Sipping our way through the Naramata Bench Winterfest!

Naramata Bench Winterfest 

The Naramata Bench Winterfest webpage urged us to: “Join us for exclusive winery, cidery, distillery and brewery tastings set against a backdrop of dazzling Christmas lights and decorations. Enjoy special events and unique holiday shopping. Warm up by the fire pits, savour seasonal cuisine, and create unforgettable memories in one of British Columbia’s most scenic wine regions.”

I invited two friends, Stacey and Kyla Daman-Willems, to join me. I had intended to be the sober designated driver, but Kyla said she didn’t feel like sampling and would be the DD.

First stop, Deep Roots

We picked a handful of choices from the impressive list of 32 participants: Bench 1775, Blackwood, Chain Reaction, D’Angelo, DiSilva, Daydreamer, Deep Roots, Elephant Island, Evolve, Four Shadows, Foxtrot, Hillside, Howling Bluff, Joie, LaFrenz, Lake Breeze, Laughing Stock, Mocojo, Modesta, Moraine, Origin, Red Rooster, Ruby Blues, Therapy, Three Sisters, Tightrope, Township, Upper Bench, Van Westin, Wesbert, Abandoned Rail Brewing, and Creek & Gully Cider.

The aim was to visit places that we hadn’t experienced before. With so many choices, we decided to limit our tastings to red wine and only 6 or 7 wineries. Otherwise, our taste buds would be overwhelmed, and we’d be inebriated.

Sonya, Deep Roots

Our first stop was Deep Roots on Tillar Road. Deep Roots is a family-owned and operated winery perched on the clay cliffs above Okanagan Lake. 

The family has been farming the land around the winery for over 100 years, spanning four generations. Orchards of cherries, pears, apricots, and apples eventually gave way to grapevines in 1998. 

After many years of selling grapes to other wineries, they dove into winemaking, producing their first vintage in 2012, and opened the tasting room in 2014.

At the tasting room, Sonya was fun and informative. I chose a 2022 Cabernet Franc, and as I turned to go, she suggested that we visit Elephant Island next.

Elephant Island, not just fruit wines!

“Elephant Island?” I said, “But they make tree-fruit wines.”

“Not anymore. They have a tasty selection of grape wines, too,” Sonya replied.

As it turns out, they do! With fun names like Naysayer, I Told You, So, and Think Again. 

The humorous wine labels poke fun at concerned friends who were worried about Miranda and Del Halladay’s change in focus.

Elephant Island

Elephant Island Winery launched in 1999. Their sister company, Naramata Cider Co., started in 2017. 

The family’s philosophy is to maintain a healthy diversity in the agricultural landscape. 

All of their wines and ciders are made with low-intervention, living fermentation techniques. 

What fruit they don’t grow is grown by farmers whose methods they respect.

I added a bottle of 2019 Meritage to my collection of tasty Naramata Bench wines.

Where should we go next? 

How about Wesbert on Naramata Road? 

Wesbert Winery

The Joubert family, originally from South Africa, founded Wesbert Winery in 2019 and quickly gained a reputation for warm hospitality. 

It’s a popular stop for cyclists and hikers enjoying the KVR Trail.

My taste buds were already getting a bit confused, so I limited myself to one sample.

Then, we decided to stop at one of the original Naramata Bench wineries, Hillside Estate.

Lawrie and I have connections with Hillside.

The old apricot orchard was purchased in 1979 by Bohumir and Vera Klokocka, who had immigrated to the Okanagan Valley from Czechoslovakia. Even though she had no experience, Vera dreamed of growing grapes and creating good wine. In 1984, she and Bohumir pulled out the orchard and planted 3.5 acres of vineyards. The grapevines thrived in the gravelly soil and warm Okanagan sunshine, and Vera’s dream took shape.

In 1989, Hillside, along with Lang Vineyards and Wild Goose, lobbied the Provincial Government to implement the Farmgate Winery Policy. The new policy allowed small vineyards of five acres or less to not only produce wine but also to sell it directly from their premises.

Lynda, and Bohumir bottling 1994

When we moved to Sutherland Road, on the bench, Lawrie and I became friends with the Klokockas. We helped with the harvests and bottling while listening to Czechoslovakian music, drinking wine, and eating great food. Vera sold the winery to a Calgary consortium in 1994, which expanded the property and built the existing structure.

In 1998, we sold our craft brewery, Tin Whistle Brewing Company, and I joined the newly expanded Hillside Estate Winery as the office manager. 

Lawrie, harvesting for icewine.

In 2004, while I was the manager of the Sandman Hotel, Lawrie became the General Manager at Hillside, overseeing the operation of the winery, vineyards, gift shops, distribution, and bistro.

Back to our Winterfest explorations. At Hillside Estate, I purchased a yummy bottle of Bordeaux-style 2018 Mosaic. I am saving it for my 75^th birthday in February. Stacey and Kyla stocked up too! And we were off to our next stop.

La Frenz Winery has been on the Naramata Bench for a long time. 

In 1999, Jeff and Niva Martin purchased the apple orchard and began clearing the land with the help of their daughters, Elise and Jess. 

La Frenz was one of the few wineries that required an appointment, and we felt pressured, so we never visited.

La Frenz Winery

I was pleasantly surprised to discover a standalone wine shop had been added in 2004, allowing aficionados access to the delicious wines without disturbing the family at home. 

I treated myself to a 2022 Syrah. And Stacey made similar choices for their collection.

We decided to do one more stop before calling it a day. Township 7 was our final stop. 

Kyla, outside Township 7 

I know very little about the history of this winery. The parent company began in 2000 in Langley, and the Penticton location opened in 2004. It has changed hands at least once. I believe it is owned by two major investors.

By this time, my taste buds were well and truly done! I left the tasting to Stacey!

Back home, I carefully stored my new treasures. More wine tasting will have to wait for next year’s Naramata Bench Winterfest.

Cheers, Lynda

Death in the Vineyards, Okanagan mystery novels!