On July 10 the Penticton Art Gallery 33rd Annual Art Auction and Gala is pleased to partner with the spectacular wineries of the Naramata Bench Winery Association and highlight the fruits of their labors.
Featured in the Auction are 27 works by 24 British Columbia artists who took part in the second annual Penticton ‘en Plein Air Day’ on May 8 at seven Naramata Bench Wineries. These artist-donated pieces capture the breathtaking settings of the wineries and vineyards. These works will be joined by a number of other important works of art from artist from across Canada and internationally. Each work along with the artist biography can be viewed in advance of the auction on our website and in an exhibition to be held at the gallery starting on June 22nd and continuing up to the auction on July 10th.
Growing in popularity each year this event is fast becoming one of the foremost summer events on many a social calendar not only here in the Okanagan Valley but for folks from Vancouver to Calgary who make this event part of their summer getaway. It’s going to be an amazing night and one you won’t want to miss.
For more information or to reserve your tickets please contact the Penticton Art Gallery by phone at: (250) 493-2928 or e-mail at: agso_curator@shawbiz.ca . Many of the auction items can be viewed on-line at www.pentictonartgallery.com
May 21 2010
Naramata Bench Wineries Harvest Medals at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships.
Twelve Naramata Wineries win a total of thirty-three medals at the Championships.
Gary Reynolds of Lake Breeze Vineyards Executive Member of the Naramata Wineries Association and winner of “White Wine of the Year” for their 2009 Pinot Blanc comments on behalf of the Association “We have always believed in the quality of the fruit we can grow here on the Bench – you can’t make a great wine without great grapes. And of course the awards speak very directly about the care attention and experience of the winemakers at all the wineries on the Naramata Bench.”
The All Canadian Wine Championships received 1143 wines in the competition with wines entered from coast to coast. Comments on their website include “Quality has never been so high…” and “This consistency across regions is evident in the medal results…”
Naramata Winery Medal Winners:
DOUBLE GOLD and Best White of the Year: Lake Breeze 2009 Pinot Blanc
DOUBLE GOLD:Elephant Island 2008 Cherry
Hillside 2009 Rose
La Frenz 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Rooster 2009 Viognier
Red Rooster 2008 Merlot
GOLD:
Black Widow 2009 Pinot Gris
Hillside 2008 Reserve Pinot Gris
Howling Bluff 2007 Sin Cera
La Frenz 2008 Shiraz
La Frenz 2009 Sauvignon Blanc
La Frenz 2009 Alexandria
Poplar Grove 2008 Monster Merlot
Poplar Grove 2006 Cabernet Franc
Poplar Grove 2007 Syrah
Red Rooster 2008 Malbec
Red Rooster 2008 Cabernet Merlot
SILVER:
Elephant Island 2007 The Little King Sparkling
Howling Bluff 2007 Pinot Noir
Lake Breeze 2009 Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc
La Frenz 2008 Tempranillo
La Frenz N/V Liqueur Muscat
La Frenz 2007 Vintage Port Style
Red Rooster 2008 Chardonnay
Therapy 2009 Pinot Gris
Township 7 2007 Merlot
Van Westen 2008 Vivacious
BRONZE:
Elephant Island 2009 Framboise
D’Angelo 2007 Tempranillo
Lake Breeze 2007 Seven Poplars Merlot
Hillside 2009 Muscat Ottonel
Hillside 2009 Gewurztraminer
Hillside 2008 Cabernet Franc
Red Rooster 2009 Rosé
Sept 30 2009
BC’s Okanagan Valley Named in Top 10 Wine Destinations for 2009 by TripAdvisor
Cheers Okanagan! We have reason to toast: the Okanagan Valley dubbed by some as Napa North and by others as the Tuscany of Canada is a top travel destination for 2009 in the eyes of TripAdvisor. The compilation of 10 of North America’s most alluring wine destinations was decided on in a survey of over 1000 Americans 48% of which said they planned to visit a vineyard this year. “As the only Canadian wine region on this list this is a true badge of honour for the Okanagan Valley and its cities” says Nancy Cameron CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “TripAdvisor is a well-regarded information website with reviews of destinations from travelers and it has enjoyed over 30 million unique visitors to the website for the last 2 months in a row.”
Kelly Reid of Penticton & Wine Country Tourism agrees. “The TripAdvisor accolade comes on the heels of some significant editorial about the Okanagan Valley in publications such as Sunset Magazine and Endless Vacation magazine. Furthermore it promotes movement throughout the Okanagan which is a benefit to the players in the valley-wide tourism industry.”
“TripAdvisor is certainly one of the most recognizable and influential travel media brands on the global stage” adds Miles Prodan Regional Media Relations Specialist with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. “This vote of confidence places the region among the most desirable wine destinations to visit in 2009/2010 with the TripAdvisor audience.”
For further information on Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley visit www.tourismkelowna.com; www.tourismpenticton.com; www.lifeisgood.travel.
See full TripAdvisor press release regarding this top 10 list at http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i261-c1-Press_Releases.html.
September 12 2009
A New Benchmark
While there’s no such thing as “too much of a good thing” when it comes to wine Okanagan’s Naramata Bench is more than just wine country.
(Read full article here)
September 2009
Tailgate Party on Edible Prairie Journal!
(Read full article here)
June 2009
Naramata Unfiltered Sommelier Event 2009!
For the second year in a row Naramata Winemakers hosted Sommeliers from Vancouver and Okanagan restaurants and winestores. They tasted‚ learned‚ networked‚ and didn′t have any fun at all! For a peek at the action check out the video & pix at ScoutMagazine.com!
May 2009
A recent article in the Phoenix International Travel Examiner by Dena Braun starts out‚ “If you’re working a typical 9 to 5 job no doubt you’ve thought about chucking it all and living your dream life. If your fantasy is to become a vintner then check out the Naramata Unfiltered program‚ a whirlwind wine academy that will immerse you in the life of a grape grower for a weekend...”
(Read full article here)
Closer to home Kerry Banks penned “The Naramata Buzz (part 1)” for MyWestworld. “We start drinking wine at 10:30 a.m. and are still drinking wine at 10:30 p.m. Not continuously mind you. There are a few breaks in between…”
(Read full article here)
April 2009
After our Spring Release events wine writer John Schreiner blogged‚ “One cannot taste Naramata Bench wines like a butterfly because ... the quality is high and getting better all the time.”
(Read full article here)
January 31 2009
Naramata Bench Winery Association wins
Hospitality & Tourism Business Excellence Award
Luke Smith (Howling Bluff Winery) accepted the award on behalf of the Naramata Bench Winery Association from Marielle Brulé and Sally Pierce representing the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.
The Award Of Excellence is for strengthening the local economy by drawing visitors to the area through innovative marketing and publicity.
(photo: Photography by Chris)
January 27 2009
La Frenz takes awards at Winepress Northwest.
At the invitation only Platinum Judging‚ La Frenz was awarded a Double Platinum award for their NV Liquer Muscat‚ and Platinum awards for both their 2007 Viognier and NV Port.
December 27 2008
National Post feature article about the 2009 Naramata Bench Unfiltered Wine Weekend Retreats. "For the Wine Lover in You"
For more information and to book Unfiltered Wine Weekend retreats on the Naramata Bench look under "Events" in this website.
May 23 2008
Naramata Wineries take over 40 awards at the 2008 All Canadian Wine Championshiphttp://www.canadianwinetrail.com/Best of CategoriesChardonnay Over $20
TOWNSHIP 7 VINEYARDS AND WINERY BC
2006 Reserve Chardonnay Harmony One Vineyard $24.99
Riesling Off Dry
RED ROOSTER WINERY BC
2006 Riesling $15.99
Syrah / Shiraz
THERAPY VINEYARDS BC
2006 Marcus Ansems Shiraz $31.90
Red Icewine
MISTRAL ESTATE WINERY BC
2007 Gamay Icewine $54.90 Gold Medal
D’ANGELO ESTATE WINERY BC 2005 Pinot Noir $25.00
HILLSIDE ESTATE WINERY BC 2006 Cabernet –Merlot $19.99
JOIE WINES BC 2007 Riesling $20.40
JOIE WINES BC 2007 Rose $18.90
LA FRENZ WINERY BC 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon $26.00
LA FRENZ WINERY BC 2007 Alexandria $18.00
LA FRENZ WINERY BC N/V Liqueur Muscat $20.00
LAFRENZ WINERY BC 2007 Small Lots Riesling $19.00
LANG VINEYARDS BC 2007 Gewurztraminer $18.90
LAKE BREEZE VINEYARDS BC 2007 Gewurztraminer $16.99
SOARING EAGLE ESTATE WINERY BC 2007 Gewurztraminer Icewine $54.99
SOARING EAGLE ESTATE WINERY BC 2006 Soaring Eagle Pinot Meunier $21.90
VAN WESTEN VINEYARDS BC 2006 Viognier $24.90 Silver Medal
ELEPHANT ISLAND ORCHARD WINES BC 2007 Framboise $19.90
HILLSIDE ESTATE WINERY BC 2006 Merlot $18.99
HILLSIDE ESTATE WINERY BC 2007 Gewurztraminer $17.99
HILLSIDE ESTATE WINERY ON 2007 Riesling $17.99
LA FRENZ WINERY BC 2005 Shiraz $29.00
LA FRENZ WINERY BC 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir $32.00
La Frenz Winery BC 2007 Small Lots Sauvignon Blanc $22.00
LA FRENZ WINERY BC 2007 Viognier $20.00
LANG VINEYARDS BC 2007 Riesling Icewine $54.90
POPLAR GROVE WINERY BC 2007 Monster Vineyard Rose $17.90
RED ROOSTER WINERY BC 2007 Reserve Gewurztraminer $19.99
THERAPY VINEYARDS BC 2006 Chardonnay $24.90
THERAPY VINEYARDS BC 2006 Merlot $25.90
THERAPY VINEYARDS BC 2007 Freudian Sip $18.90 Bronze Medal
D`ANGELO ESTATE WINERY BC 2005 Setta Coppa $30.00
LA FRENZ WINERY BC 2006 Gewurztraminer $17.00
LAKE BREEZE VINEYARDS BC 2007 Pinot Blanc $16.49
LAUGHING STOCK VINEYARDS BC 2007 Pinot Gris $20.00
POPLAR GROVE WINERY BC 2007 Monster Vineyards Riesling $17.90
RED ROOSTER WINERY BC 2006 Pinot Noir $19.99
SOARING EAGLE ESTATE WINERY BC 2007 Gewurztraminer $23.90
SOARING EAGLE ESTATE WINERY BC 2007 Merlot Rose $18.90
STONEHILL ESTATE WINERY BC 2006 Zweigelt $16.90
THERAPY VINEYARDS BC 2007 Artist Viognier $22.90
LANG VINEYARDS BC 2007 Pinot Auxerrois $16.90
TOWNSHIP 7 VINEYARDS AND WINERY BC 2006 Chardonnay $19.99 October 5 2007
2007 Okanagan Fall Festival Awards!
GOLD MEDALS
Lake Breeze Gewurztraminer 2006
Red Rooster Malbec 2006
Therapy Vineyards Chardonnay 2006
Township 7 Semillion 2006 SILVER MEDALS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Pinot Noir 2005
Lake Breeze Pinot Gris 2006
Lang Pinot Gris 2006
Lang Signature Series Optima 2006
Mistral Chardonnay 2006
Therapy Pinot Noir 2006
Township 7 Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2006
Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Township 7 Chardonnay 2006
Township 7 Rose 2006 BRONZE MEDALS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Chardonnay 2006
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Merlot 2005
Lake Breeze Meritage 2005
Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2006
Lang Pinot Noir 2006
Red Rooster Reserve Gewurztraminer 2006
Soaring Eagle Merlot 2006
Soaring Eagle Pinot Gris 2006
Stonehill Esprit de Gewurztraminer 2006
Stonehill Esprit de Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Stonehill Pinot Blanc 2006
Therapy Pink Freud 2006 September 28 2007
2007 Canadian Wine Awards
GOLD MEDALS
Joie A Noble Blend 2006
Laughing Stock Portfolio 2005
Red Rooster Malbec 2006 SILVER MEDALS
Joie Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2006
Joie Muscat 2006
Joie Riesling 2006
Lake Breeze Gewurztraminer 2006
Lake Breeze Pinot Gris 2006
Lang Farm Winery Reserve Riesling
Lang Signature Series Optima 2005
Monster Gamay 2006
Red Rooster Pinot Noir 2006
Therapy Chardonnay 2005
Therapy Pink Freud 2006 BRONZE MEDALS
Hillside Cabernet Franc 2005
Hillside Pinot Gris Reserve 2006
Joie PTG 2005
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Merlot 2005
Monster Merlot 2005
Monster Riesling 2006
Red Rooster Pinot Blanc 2006
Red Rooster Chardonnay Reserve 2006
Red Rooster Merlot 2005
Red Rooster Pinot Gris 2006
Red Rooster Rose 2006
Soaring Eagle Merlot Rose 2006
Therapy Gewurztraminer 2006
Therapy Freudian Sip 2006
Therapy Pinot Gris 2006
Township 7 Chardonnay 2005
Township 7 Rose 2006
Township 7 Semillion 2006
Township 7 Syrah 2005
Van Westen Vivacious 2006
Van Westen Voluptuous 2004
Visit this link for full details on the Canadian Wine Awards
www.canadianwineawards.ca
July 2 2007
Bench Pressing ~ Northwest Palate July 2007
Northwest Palate
"Naramata Bench is the birthplace of some of Canada`s most noted wines."
~Mirelle Sauve
Download PDF
June 13 2007
Sommelier Retreat Photos from City Food
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT SOMMELIERS DURING THE
RECENT NARAMATA UNFILTERED WEEKEND FOR RESTAURANT
WINE
SERVICE STAFF.
www.cityfood.com/EN/gallery/sommeliers_in_action
June 12 2007
Sommeliers Retreat in City Food
KICKING AROUND AT SOMMELIER BOOT CAMP
www.cityfood.com
June 11 2007
Sommelier Retreat makes National Post
Margaret Swaine`s personal account of the 2 day Sommelier Retreat
hosted by the 19 wineries of Naramata. It made a full page spread in
the National Post June 92007.
Click on the pdf for the full story.
Download PDF
June 1 2007
NBWA Wins at Northwest Wine Summit
The Northwest Wine Summit is managed by VinoChallenge LLC. It
focuses on exclusively wines produced in the NorthWest specifically
wines from Alaska Alberta British Columbia Idaho Montana Oregon
and Washington.
Check out the weblink to see details on each award category!
www.vinochallenge.com/nwsummit
October 16 2006
SOLD OUT Best of the Bench Cases
2006 Best of the Bench Cases
Choose between the White case or Red case...
8 bottles of each per case.
See the tasting notes for information
Tasting notes: Red or White
ORDER FORM April 26 2006
Naramata Matures as Wine Destination
If there`s one thing the Naramata Bench bunch know how to do it`s throw
a good party. Between fashion shows and good eats there was no shortage
of worthwhile distractions at last week`s third annual Naramata Bench
Spring Release Tasting where even a few winemakers got up enough
courage to strut their stuff out of the bottle down the runway.
www.vancourier.com/issues06/044106/dining.html
April 19 2006
Naramata Bench wineries roll out their new releases
Since 1990 when the first two wineries opened there the Naramata
Bench has become one of the most desirable pieces of winery real
estate in the Okanagan.
www.planitvancouver.com
June 15 2005
Bringing Big Flavour to the Small Screen
Naramata wineries featured in hallmark Canadian wine production exploring
signature wines from all over the world. Jason Preistley of 90210 fame and
Terry David Mulligan produce.Download PDF
May 14 2005
Penticton Wineries Flourish
The National Post christens Naramata a "wine-lovers" wonderland. Featuring
reviews of Hillside Elephant Island Red Rooster and Joie Farm Cooking School.
Download PDF
October 1 2004
THE NEW OKANAGAN WINERIES
See profiles of the two latest wineries to join the Naramata Bench:
Spiller Estate Winery and Laughing Stock Vineyards
Download PDF
August 20 2004
Feast of Tastes at Cornucopia
Naramata`s "Hidden Wineries" came out swinging at gala Crush!
www.vancourier.com
July 31 2004
Canada has Found it`s Napa
Both Poplar Grove Winery and Elephant Island Orchard Winery are
mentioned in this landmark article on the Okanagan wine region.www.winespectator.com
April 29 2004
UNCORKED
Uncorked; Naramatans Establish Collective Bench Mark
By Jurgen Gothe
Publish date: April 29 2004 This time he’s come up with winged wine bottles flying over the bench lands of Okanagan Lake poster art for the newly formed Naramata Bench Winery Association which just had its coming-out party. That’s what it was a big all-hands-on-deck tasting at the Roundhouse in Yaletown and coming-out sounds better than first annual which always strikes me as playing with those dice Einstein insisted God didn’t use on the universe. Those who went said it was a great event introductory or otherwise. Of course it was. Ten outstanding wineries from the Naramata side of the lake each opening their “Best of the Bench” bottles: best white or red from the current release each one teamed with some food creations from great restaurants here or there.
There was the Naramata Heritage Inn Joie the Barrel Room Bistro from Hillside Estate plus Vancouver’s Bis Moreno Vij’s Le Gavroche Lumière and Les Amis du Fromage. Much sniffing and sipping and smacking of lips. (An aside: the season’s best new T-shirt has to be just out from dream ice-cream producer Gelato Fresco in Toronto: a vaguely Asian stylized-brush-stroked ice-cream cone on the front with the caption Zen Cone. On the back: “What is the sound of one lip smacking.” Well I thought it was funny; coulda been the gin...)
The treat at the Naramata event was that many of these wines are of limited availability and got their first public showing here. It was a smart move for these 10 independent boutique wineries who between them produce some outstanding wines. The association has 100-percent membership from all of the operating wineries on the Bench and is ready to welcome a few under development: Laughing Stock Vineyards Mistral Vineyards and Summa Quies Vineyard.
Limited production is what we’re talking about with these wineries and their wines but no limits when it comes to quality. I mean look what happened last fall at the Okanagan Wine Festival judging: four gold medals for Lake Breeze Vineyards alone to everyone’s surprise--including the winery’s!
Speaking of limited there is a special run of 300 Best of the Bench collector’s cases out there. (There was; I expect there are far fewer now that the tasting’s done.) This sturdy long box contains 10 serious Naramatans in a wooden-slab case with carrying handles and clip locks a foldout map painted on the inside and then the following left to right:
* Nichol Vineyard 2000 unfiltered Syrah (great way to start)
* Kettle Valley Winery 2002 Rock Oven Red (half Cabernet half Shiraz)
* Elephant Island Orchard Winery n/v Stellaport (fortified port-style from cherries; delicious)
* Lang Vineyards 1997 Pinot Auxerrois Brut (fine bubble just coming into its own now)
* Lake Breeze Vineyards 2003 Pinot Gris (with the new label; can it repeat its success from last fall?)
* Hillside Estate Reserve Series 2002 Merlot (a keeper for the cellar)
* Poplar Grove Winery 2001 Red Reserve (mostly Merlot a little Cabernet Franc;
can’t wait to set it next to Poplar’s Tiger Blue cheese)
* La Frenz 2002 Shiraz (debut release for this varietal new label design a total run
of 84 cases)
* Red Rooster Winery 2002 Meritage (its big Bordeaux blend: rich and dark; don’t
drink it so soon; make more space under the stairs)
* Benchland Vineyards 2001 Zweigelt (the third version of this varietal I’ve come
across since Hainle got the ball rolling).
Buy the box for $350 and apparently only from Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie
Street (1034); call them to reserve yours and get someone to help you carry it out to
the car. Watch for more winged bottles from the Naramata Bench making B.C. wine
waves.
April 1 2004
Ten Wineries form ‘Naramata Bench Vintners AssociationTen Wineries form ‘Naramata Bench Vintners Association By Dave Gamble
One of the most concentrated winery districts in BC is the Naramata bench between
Penticton and Naramata on the east side of Okanagan Lake. This spring there was
interest expressed in exploring more cooperative activities and interested parties
were invited to discuss them over coffee at Hillside Estate winery. Hillside Estate
manager Ken Lauzon was delighted when representatives of all ten operating wineries
turned out together with three ‘wineries in the wings’ and several ‘associate members’
from the hospitality field!
What was really exciting about the gathering is that ideas and projects flew thick and
fast and almost immediately ‘The Naramata Bench Vintners Association’ was formed.
As a result some exciting new developments will begin almost immediately.
An early kickoff event will be a ‘Best of the Bench’ launch on April 20 at the
Roundhouse Restaurant in Vancouver which feature all ten wineries pouring their
‘Best of the Bench’ selection accompanied by an appetizer from some of the top
Vancouver and Okanagan restaurants. From Vancouver Bis Moreno Vijis
Le Gavroche and Les Amis du Fromage will participate and from the Okanagan:
Fresco Restaurant in Kelowna Hillside Estate’s Barrel Room Bistro the Naramata
Heritage Inn and Joie of Naramata.
Tickets are $55
with a portion going to a Naramata Volunteer Fire Department.
Another example of the imaginative ideas that came forward at the meeting will be
the presentation of a ‘Best of the Bench’ sampling of ten leading wines from the
Naramata Bench one from each winery which will be packaged in a special
wooden crate. A new logo and branding for the association will be done by consultant Bernie
Hadley-Beauregard. Some exciting events are being planned for this summer and
this fall and we were advised “there will be something coming along that has never
been done before.” Look for news of the new developments in the Summer Issue of
BC Wine Trails!
The wineries would eventually love to have the Naramata Bench recognized as a
wine appellation of its own.