This summer, you might have noticed that we’re a little obsessed with Naramata… but can you blame us?! 

It’s such an incredible place filled full of village charms, a slower living ethos, and a natural beauty that’s as diverse as it is beautiful. Thanks to flowing vineyards and orchards, rolling mountains and rugged peaks, all the way to glistening waters, it’s a feast for the senses no matter the time of year.

It just so happens that summer tends to be a bit more happening than other seasons!

However, thanks to that influx of events and offerings and a bit more foot-traffic, you might have missed out on a handful of incredible businesses and experiences… So we wanted to take a moment and let those places have their moment in the sun. 

What happens when you wander just a bit further off the beaten track? Read on to find out!

TIMELESS RETAIL

Have you ever said to yourself, They just don’t make things to last anymore? You’re not alone. These days it can be difficult to procure quality items and furniture, especially ones with an emphasis on sustainably-sourced woods. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to Naramata Wood Co.: a private studio that offers handcrafted furniture inspired by nature.

Founder Jonathan Salamons finds endless inspiration for his pieces thanks to the majestic beauty surrounding Naramata—and we can see why! With endless pines and outdoor love, creativity seamlessly blends into design, ending up with the type of pieces that you will cherish over a lifetime.

Picture craft heirlooms that can be treasured for generations down the line; hand-applied finishes with an expression of true artistry; or traditional and modern woodworking techniques with a touch of contemporary aesthetics—you’ll find all this and more when you check out their socials!

For even more timeless pieces, don’t miss a stop to 4th Meridian Art & Actions! They’re your one-stop-shop for vintage prints, gifts, unique fine art, handmade Canadian pottery and ceramics, old-school curiosities, and even some mid-century glass and pottery. 

While their main warehouse shop sits within Penticton, at their core, they’re a Naramata-rooted business. Many items in their art collection represent a specific and unique aspect of BC and Okanagan heritage and history that links directly to Naramata, and that’s why they set up a pop-up shop in the heart of the village! 

So just a bit further into Robinson Avenue you can take a peak at their offerings from twelve until five, daily, during July and August. And you really want to add a stop, especially right now when they have recently added even more beautiful small things to their collection: antique jewellery, decorative objects, Victorian buttons, and other unexpected and unusual discoveries.

While on the topic of heritage and vintage pieces, you can’t go wrong with checking out the Naramata Thrift Store this summer. From Tuesday to Friday, between two to four in the afternoon, you can thrift to your hearts content and feel even better knowing the proceeds go to great causes for the community. In the past they’ve helped restore the SS Naramata, the Adra Tunnel, as well as laneway beautification and playschool upgrades.

That’s one of the things we love so much about Naramata! This tight-knit village loves to support one another, big and small. 

TASTY FOOD TRUCKS

It wouldn’t be a summer visit to Naramata without at least a handful of tasty treats and delicious food trucks. Of course every Wednesday at the Naramata Farmers Market you can hop between different venues to your hearts content, but we want to point out two specific names you might have missed this season. 

D’Angelo’s Authentic Italian Sandwiches at D’Angelo’s Winery is servin’ up a little slice of Italy this season! From Classic Abruzzo to Cotto Proscuitto, you can sip on some delicious wines while the flavours of Florence burst on your tongue. 

And have we mentioned the best part? All sandwiches are lightly pressed on organic ancient grain focaccia bread…

For even more wine and food paired fun, don’t miss out on Grapevine BBQ at Deep Roots Winery! From Thursday to Sunday, between eleven in the morning and five at night, you can get your barbecue fixin’s along with bold, robust reds and chilled, delicious whites. 

Owner and Chef David Simenoff has over twenty years of experience cooking in restaurants across our valley, and fully presents his food in order to pair with wine—cause, you know, he gets us! He also prioritizes seasonal and local ingredients and this year is teaming up with Black Sage Butcher out of Oliver for all their meats! 

It’s the type of stop that both your belly—and your values—will appreciate!

HIDDEN WINERIES

While we all know and appreciate the big name wineries that make up the Naramata Bench, there are a few brands you don’t want to miss out on when you make your yearly wine trip with the girls! 

Modesta Estate Winery is a small, family run spot that utilizes organic farming methods and low intervention in both the vineyard and cellar. With stunning views of the Okanagan Lake and surrounding mountains, not to mention the modern design of their tasting room—have you seen their MODPODs??— your visit is sure to be memorable.

It’s a wine tasting experience with buckets of personality.

We would also be remiss not to direct your attention to Fox & Archer Wines, a family-run, small-batch winery with a strong emphasis on sustainable, low intervention, cool-climate winemaking! All the fruit in their wines comes from the Bench, so when looking for a true taste of the Naramatian terroir, make sure to put them on your list.

When we say they use low intervention methods, we mean they farm organically, hand harvest the grapes into baskets, and ferment their wines using native yeasts with minimal additives. The result? Unfiltered and unfined. 

And if you’re a fan of Muscat, Semillon, Pinot Noir, and Malbec—don’t miss out on their personalized tasting experience! It’s a rustic, one-man show that’s equal parts educational and equal parts fun.

Lastly, for our top picks of small wineries along the Bench, you need to hit up Origin Wines because as they say, “Come for the wine, stay for the view.” With their picturesque location, it’s an apt tagline! And for all vegans out there, don’t worry—this is an entirely plant-based operation, meaning no gelatin or egg whites in the wine, ever. 

Born from generations of family farming in the valley, owners Blake and Daiya felt called back to their birthplace to launch a winery with a minimalist perspective on both viticulture and winemaking. They offer regular tastings as well as charcuterie picnic baskets to be enjoyed out on their grassy lawn—just be sure to order in advance!

EXCEPTIONAL CULTURE

When considering your next Naramata visit, don’t miss out on a stay at the incredible Cormier Studio Guest Suites! Located at the start of the Bench closer to Penticton, their suites are a cultural feast thanks to two peaceful rooms along with an art gallery and outdoor sculpture garden. 

It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after visiting all these incredible spots, and they even have bathrobes and a fireplace for you to cozy up to at the end of the day! In the morning, you can indulge in an in-room breakfast for the perfect slow start to your Sunday-funday…

For more culture, we highly encourage you to check out the Naramata Heritage Museum. Dedicated to preserving the history of this unique village, the museum is a living testament to their enduring community spirit. 

From ancient petroglyphs by the Sylix Nation, to the iconic regatta mural on the side of the building, all the way to a WWI machine gun, blacksmith materials and dated photographs of orchard work, these small cultural pieces add layer upon layer of local history. It’s the perfect place to soak up some of the quiet legacy this region contains and remind yourself of who came before us.

And lastly, one cultural outing you do not want to miss out on this summer is the Winds of Change Experience! Enjoy a sailing adventure over four hours on a 46’ yacht as the sun glistens off the iconic Okanagan Lake—it’s everything we love about our area in one convenient package!

Perfect for groups of up to six, this is one of those iconic moments that live on in memory forever. And don’t worry if you don’t have sailing skills! You can sit back and relax or use this as an opportunity to learn. It’s also a great way to view Naramata from the water, made even better if you take the plunge and go for a dip!

While we love Naramata events and offerings, we love this tight-knit, kaleidoscope of a community more! The village is as welcoming as it is quaint, making you feel at home even if you’re visiting from far and wide, or just making a day trip from further in the valley.

For more ideas on how to experience Naramata, don’t miss out on our perfect 2-day itinerary, or check out Discover Naramata’s webpage for a list of up-to-date, ongoing events!

XX,

Your Okanagan Curators