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~ Jane Jacobs
When Penelope Roche talks about wine, she isn't just describing a product. She's telling the story of a life that's moved across hemispheres, seasons, and generations, finally finding its home on a sun‑drenched slope along the Naramata Bench.
"My husband, Dylan, and I are co-owners and co-winemakers at our lovely little winery just below Campbell Mountain. We're basically the third winery on the Bench, just where the vineyards become visible when leaving Penticton. It's very well located in a small loop of four wineries, and there's a nice view of the lake from the top of the vineyard."
Penelope, who was born and raised on her family's vineyard in France, speaks in a calm, lightly accented voice that carries flavours of Bordeaux, New Zealand, and the Okanagan all at once.
On summer mornings in Naramata, before the village is fully awake, the first sign of life is often the magical glow from a special little kitchen on the main road. Inside, the counters at Just Baked are already full of freshly baked goods, and owner Ashley Selwood is in her happy place.
"My days start at about 7 am. The bakery fairy has been and gone by then, so I make myself a coffee and arrange everything so it looks pretty when people arrive."
What began as a late-night craving and playful idea evolved into something real, and in 2019, Just Baked was open for business.
Easter Weekend on the Naramata Bench: Wine, Views & Slow Spring Moments
Planning an Easter weekend in the Okanagan? Here’s why the Naramata Bench should be at the top of your list.
If you’re looking for an easy, memorable way to spend the long weekend, this stretch of wine country offers something that feels just right this time of year - unhurried, welcoming, and quietly coming back to life after winter.
Spring arrives gently here. Bud break begins in the vineyards, patios start to open, and there’s a sense that the season is stretching awake. It’s not summer busy - and that’s exactly the point.
