‘Good things come in threes’ is a common saying. But what happens when three meets three? Does good then become great? That seems to be the case with Three Sisters Winery.
A Dream Passed Through Generations…
Knowledge is generational, as is language, culture and tradition. How about dreams, though, and passion? Can they be passed down through generations? The desire to care for land that, in turn, provides. A symbiotic relationship of nurturing and nourishment, where stunning vistas, quality produce and conservation are the key ingredients to a dream now recognized. Elephant Island Winery is precisely that - a dream passed down through generations, bringing to life a vision from the past to be enjoyed in the present.
Located in Naramata Village, 1 Mill Road is more than a winery. It's a lifestyle. A commitment to care for the land and nurture the fruit it bears. A bond with the Earth and one another. Two pairs of hands. Two hearts. A passion that blossoms each year. A love that grows throughout the seasons.
The calm after the storm. Pouring water on glowing embers, the remnants of a fun evening with friends. Walking home to the beat of your own footsteps echoing off the sleeping houses lining either side of an empty street. Sliding into a warm, cozy bed, humming the evening's soundtrack before drifting off to sleep.
“WINTER IS NOT A SEASON, IT’S A CELEBRATION.” ~ ANAMIKA MISHRA
For those of us who have visited parts of Europe during the festive season, it's pretty clear that European Christmas markets are tough to beat. Holiday vibes, smiling faces, friends and family, crafts, food, wine - it's like an amusement park for the senses with a dash of coziness to boot.
Now, this may be a biased opinion, but here in Canada, we really know how to celebrate Christmas. It's in our blood. Aside from having the right climate for it, we're a country that loves being social, even when days shorten and things start to cool down. This begs the question, then: why, with our connection to Winter and partial European heritage, do we not host markets to the same degree?
The answer is: we do!
As the winter months roll in, the Naramata Bench becomes a playground for snowshoeing, hiking, and exploring. Trails like the Kettle Valley Rail Trail offer snow-dusted views over Okanagan Lake, and a brisk hike here is sure to refresh the spirit. Afterward, cozy up by a fire with a glass of local wine or hot cocoa.
We’ve talked about the buzz of Summer. Also, the short window when Summer ends. But there's something else we'd like to tell you about. Another little secret we'd like to let you in on. Are you ready?
Naramata is more than a one-season destination.
That's right! Naramata has something for everyone all year long and Autumn, an unsung season itself, is now upon us. Shortening days and cooler evenings mean an annual sense of coziness has begun. Sunny days remain abundant only minus the summer heat. Colours are changing, bringing a new vibrancy to the local landscape. Restaurants, accommodations, activities and tasting rooms remain open, and without the line-ups of the high season, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know the locals a bit more.
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
~ L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
What brings you joy?
Friendly faces, perhaps? How about a sense of community? Or maybe events? Landscapes? Ease of getting around? Delicious food? I know... a mouthful of approachable wine in the sun with your favourite furry friend, taking in stunning views while being tempted by the aromas of mouthwatering food being cooked not far from where you parked your bike. Sound too good to be true? Well, you're in luck because it is true, and it's oh-so-good!
JoieFarm Winery
Located here inNaramata, this is where joy is more than a name; it's an ethos. BJ Tumanut, who has been withJoie for seven years, is the definition of joy in human form.
"Okay, this might sound cheesy. It's true, though, so I don't mind. Our goal here at Joie is to bring joy to every moment and everything we do. Whether winemaking or interacting with the public, we constantly strive to connect with our community. Of course, we're proud of thequality of our wine, but it's really the quality of every interaction we have with people that best represents our culture. To me, joy is more than positivity. It's a key ingredient in who we are and has been part of our vision from the beginning."
An Irresistible Recipe
One cup of practicality, a cup and a half of flexibility, a splash of creativity, and a sprinkle of all things local. Mix these together. What are we left with? An irresistible recipe people can't get enough of.
With over twenty years in business and counting, it's safe to say that Real Things Pizza has more than the adequate amount of these ingredients needed to excite the taste buds and fill the bellies of anyone lucky enough to try one of their masterfully crafted pizzas.
"We're a local mom-and-pop pizza joint where the crust is as good as the toppings, and the unique variety exceeds expectations. Where the staff are made up of local teenagers eager to take on the logo as a local right of passage, making dough and slinging sauce. Where the delivery drivers don't mind bringing your order to you and your crew right at the beach. That's right, they deliver right to the beach! Biting into a Real Things Pizza is a great way to end your day and an experience you don't want to miss out on." ~ LaVonne Gould
...the end of Summer holidays doesn't mean the end of Summer. There are still a few weeks to go before the official changing of seasons, and the weather here in Naramata is as beautiful as ever. The sun is shining, the lake is warm, and everything is still open and operating as usual. In fact, the only difference from one week ago is the amount of people around. It's quiet, with all the benefits and amenities the busiest season has to offer, minus the crowds.
How wonderful is that? For the next few weeks, visitors to Naramata will get to enjoy their own private Summer.
It's like being at a concert where the rest of the audience has cleared out, leaving the band onstage to play a little longer just for you. Your own little encore.
And not only that, but we have something else we're excited to share with you. The cherry on top, if you will.
Aaaah, the rat race. Something most of us have been or are being dragged into, whether we like it or not. Scrambling through life as days blend into weeks, into months, into "Oh no! Where's the time gone?" Balancing more than we can handle, growing up has become a circus. Before we know it, we've juggled ourselves into an older age bracket, wondering where our twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties have gone. A race to retirement, if you will.
Many would say it's good to be busy. Many more would prefer not to comment, instead closing their eyes and waiting for the rollercoaster of adulthood to end. It's a strange existence when you think about it.
We've all heard the old saying, "Good things come in small packages." Well, what if we tweak that slightly, just for now? How about, "Everything comes in a small package?" That seems more fitting since today, we'll be zooming in on a little gem that has it all.
Picture a bird's eye view of the world. Taking your index finger and thumb, begin zooming in on Canada. Okay, a little further. Keep going until you only see British Columbia. Great! Now, keeping that finger and thumb busy, let's zoom in further still. Do you see that valley? The one surrounded by mountains and sweeping landscapes? That's where we're going, into the Okanagan Valley. And yes, that is a lake.
Long, deep, and enticing, Okanagan Lake is the centrepiece of this majestic geographic display of vibrant towns, wineries, orchards, and more sprinkled throughout the surrounding hillsides. Beautiful, isn't it? Oh, hang on! Don't put those digits away just yet. We're almost there. Zoom in a little further. A little more. That's it, right there!
A Cittaslow Community is an Italian inspired and administered global network of towns that collectively resist globalization and mainstream corporate-centred development through planning and urban design that prioritizes each town’s local, unique and historic resources.
The ‘slow’ in Cittaslow concerns the idea of taking the time for quality. It represents a higher quality of life and taking the time to achieve and appreciate this quality.
Naramata was designated as a Cittaslow Community in 2006.
We are a non-profit dedicated to creating and celebrating Naramata’s unique community. The intersection of people and place is the heart of Naramata Slow.
This group is known locally as the Naramata Slow Community Group.
Nine kilometres north of Penticton on Naramata Road sits the Aikins Loop - a charming rural road home to four award-winning wineries: Deep Roots, Elephant Island, JoieFarm Winery, and Van Westen Vineyards. An easy 1 min to 5 min walk between tasting rooms, the Aikins Loop is Naramata’s first official walkable tasting room tour.
The four wineries have joined forces to offer unique experiences, award-winning wines, and local folklore for their visitors. Each destination promises a distinct portfolio and personality, promising an unforgettable journey through Naramata's rich agriculture and winemaking heritage.
“The convenience of four wineries and a food truck all within walking distance makes it so easy to plan your day. Just a five minute drive to Naramata Village, Manitou Beach and the KVR - the Aikins Loop makes the perfect day trip. Plus, The Loop is on the Sip ‘n Cycle audio tour route making it easy to learn about our local wine culture.” says Deb Selwood, Discover Naramata board member and owner of Naramata’s Village Motel.
The Naramata Bench region is celebrating the resounding success of the third annual “Best of the Bench” event, held at Poplar Grove Winery. The event began on June 5th with a blind tasting by two International Master of Wine’s, Siobhan Turner and Doug Frost, of the 75 wines submitted from over 26 wineries from The Naramata Bench Wineries Association. Each wine was sampled in flights and was categorized by varietal, residual sugar, and alcohol content. Both MWs were deeply impressed by the outstanding quality of the submitted wines, further reinforcing the exceptional reputation of the Naramata Bench region.
Out of the outstanding selection, Siobhan Turner and Doug Frost picked the top 12 wines, each deserving of accolades and recognition:
As the days get shorter and the nights feel darker - nothing is more welcome than the glow of Christmas lights. The annual NaramataSlow Christmas Market is ready to bring more festive cheer to the Village this year — we hope you’ll be joining us for some Naramata shopping, food, wine, and plenty of #naramatalove
With quiet streets, crunching leaves and a full moon overhead, Naramata is perhaps the perfect spooky community to celebrate Halloween. For a small town, there are plenty of tricks and treats this season!
Oct 20: Halloween Movie Night, hosted by the RDOS
Oct 27: Halloween Pumpkin Hunt at Manitou Park
Oct 27: Halloween Painting at 3 Sisters Winery on Oct 27
Oct 29: Halloween Rock Party at Naramata Pub
Oct 30: Robinson Bone Rattler - outdoor haunted scenes, candy apples and spooky pictures!
Oct 30: Naramata Inn x Haunted Wine Trolley Package
Oct 31: trick or treating throughout the Village and the Naramata Bench
Perfect for families with kids, or the young at heart — you’re sure to have a spooktacular time this week!
While you’ll find a wide array of both red and white wines produced throughout the Naramata Bench, you’ll soon realize that some varietals are more prevalent than others. Chardonnay is perhaps one of the most popular wines chosen by Naramata growers, as the grape does particularly well in the soil and climate of Naramata. In celebration of National Chardonnay Day on May 26th, here are 3 of our favourite Naramata Bench Chardonnays:
