British Columbia's Naramata Bench
La Frenz Naramata British Columbia
Naramata is bounded by lakeshore, clay bluffs, vineyards, orchards and wilderness.
Tree lined streets , artisan shops, Museum , quaint Country stores and nature trails.
The Naramata Bench has optimal growing conditions, due to the proximity of Okanagan Lake
which provides for a long growing season.
Aces Wine Group
1309 Smethurst Road, PO Box 40
Naramata, BC
V0H 1N0, Canada
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Owned by Holger Clausen in partnership. Opening 2009. Holger is a tournament poker player
Winemaker:
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Black Widow Winery
1630 Naramata Road
Penticton BC V2A 8T7
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Dick Lancaster has been a noted amature winemaker for over 30 years. In 2000 Dick and his wife Shona
came across this beautiful
seven acres property. It was already
producing vines and witha panoramic view of Naramata Bench and the lake, it was too good to turn down.
Taking on grape growing and commercial wine making was a natural progression, satisfying a long time pashion.
The name represents the Black Widow spiders which are quite common on the property, and serve as a reminder that the growing grapes in a desert region.
A gravity flow winery was constructed to produce
Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Schönburger
Merlot . All wines are produced from their own vineyard
Winemaker: Dick Lancaster
Philosophy . Grow really ripe fruit on our own property, making wine of intense flavour, bouquet, and character.
signature wines : Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon - 100% oak aged (predominantly French) for at least 21 months. Pinot Gris, harvested late, cold soaked, and partially barrel fermented
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D'Angelo Estate Winery
979 Lochore Road
Penticton , BC V2A 8V1
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D'Angelo Estate Winery was established in 1984 By Vintner Sal D'Angelo in Amherstburg Ontario , the D'Angelo Family has a rich history in Canada 's wine making industry , Sal opened his second winery in a location which he has been vacationing for years, in Penticton BC on the Naramata Bench. In 2003 Sal's dream of owning a winery on the bench had finally come true. The BC winery now has 8.5 acres planted on their 27 acre property; just some of their varietals include Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet, Tempranillo and Viogner.
As a Wine Maker Sal Specializes in red wines and Ice Wine , in 2006 Sal produced Canada 's First Tempranillo ice wine , which was released in the summer of 2008.
D'Angelo operates as a family business with daughter Stephanie and son Christopher helping
Sal D'Angelo was named Ontario's' Grape King in 1999. Illness forced Sal to move to the dryer claim of the Okanagan. After vacationing for many years in the Penticton area in 2002 he purchased 27 acres, where he built a gravity flow winery.
As a winemaker Sal specializes in red wines and icewines . Merlot will a priority along with a Spanish vine called Tempranillo. Sal also likes Viognier and Gewürztraminer.
D"angelo will operate as a family business with daughter Stephanie and son Christopher helping.
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Elephant Island Orchard Winery
2730 Aikens Loop
RR1 S5 C18
Naramata, BC, Canada
V0H 1N0
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Located in Naramata on Okanagan Lake's east shore among the fruit farms. Crafting fine fruit wines has been a tradition in the Wisnicki family for more than four generations. Coupling this rich history with the international training and experience of consulting oeanologist, Christine Leroux, Proprietors, Miranda and Del Halliday named their winery after Elephant Island paying tribute to Miranda's Grand Parents ( Wisnicki ) who built their retirement home on the Island.
Wine-maker Christine Leroux who
trained at the L'Institut D'Oenologie de Bordeaux, in Bordeaux, France.
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Foxtrot
2333 Gammond Road
Naramata, B.C.
V2A 8T6
Canada
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A winery with a most spectacular view owned by
Torsten Allander The winery
specializes in
ultra-premium Pinot Noir
Winemaker: Gustav Allander
Winemaking Philosophy:
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Hillside Estate Winery
1350 Naramata Road
Penticton, B.C. V2A 8T6
Canada
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Hillside Estate was started in 1984 when Vera and Bohumir Klockockas began replacing the fruit trees in the orchard they had purchased in 1979 on Naramata Road, just north of the city of Penticton, B.C. The couple had decided the site would be ideal for a vineyard because of the gravelly topsoil on a slope which faced west, catching the direct rays of the sun and reflections off nearby Lake Okanagan.
Today the winery has new owners and a new building. Eric von Krosigk recently joined the Hillside team in the role of winemaker.
Hillside is the only BC winery producing Muscat Ottonel, a truly unique and unusual aromatic white wine
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The winery is owned by Bill Carpenter.
The Barrel Room Bistro offers delightful lunches and dinners, featuring a second story patio with an amazing view of Okanagan Lake and surrounding orchards and vineyards.
Winemaker: Kathy Malone
Winemaking Philosophy: We have made a commitment to producing quality wines with only the best Okanagan Valley grapes.
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Barrel Room Bistro / Icewine
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Howling Bluff Winery
1086 Three Mile rd
Penticton, B.C.
V2A 8T6
Canada
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Owner Luke Smith spent six month searching for the right location He had been dreaming of owning a winery for twenty years. He found his vineyard in the Naramata
and called his 20 acre vineyard Summa Quies Vineyard. The winery he named Howling Bluff a name which came when he stood in his vineyard on a windy day listening to the dogs barking.
The vineyard was first planted in 2003 with additional plantings in
2004/2005/2006/2007/2008 and first wine making facility built in 2007.
The winery direction is to produce 2000-3000 cases of estate wine, three wines, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir and Sin Cera our Merlot/Cab franc/Cab sav/Malbec/Petite Verdot blend
signature wines: Sin Cera, Pinot Noir
The winery strives to make the best possiable wines using 100% estate grown grapes.
Winemaker: Garron Elms
Winemaking Philosophy: Grow the best grapes to make the best wine possible
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Joie Winery
2825 Naramata Road
Site 5 Comp 4
Naramata, British Columbia
Canada V0H 1N0
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Heidi Noble and Michael Dinn are the owners of this new winery Both have extensive backgrounds as
Sommelier and wine related business. Joie's farm began as a cooking school but the relationship between wine and food could not be ignored.
For Heidi it was the desire to feed people, placing an emphasis on teaching them about where their food comes from. For Michael it was the love of wine and the desire to one day have a winery.
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Kettle Valley Winery
2988 Hayman Road
Naramata, BC
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In 1996 Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts opened their winery. The winery being named after the old railway that used to run along the eastern shore. They started operations in a three car garage focusing more on the quality of the wine than expansion. They own several vineyards on the bench equaling 20 acres.
In his book British Columbia Wine country author John Schreiner states Kettle Valley makes some of the boldest and longest lived wines on Naramata Bench. Ferguson describes their wines as big, robust and full bodied .
Old Main Red is one of their signature wines; a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
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La Frenz
740 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC
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The winery opened in 2002 by Jeff and Niva Martin. Jeff worked as the winemaker at Quails' Gate for five years before starting his own winery. He
has a degree in Eonology/ Wine Science, from Charles Stuart University , Australia resulting in
30 years of winemaking and viticulture experience in both North and Southern hemispheres
the Martins named the winery after Jeff's Grandfather. His ten acre vineyard on the benchincludes Shiraz, Merlot, Viognier and Schonburger. A second vineyard also ten acresis located on the Golden Mile by Oliver. A second vineyard on the Bench will be planted in 2008.
The wineries direction is to
remain small and focus on continuing to craft steller wines.
Two of their wines were selected for Queen Elizabeth's Gala dinner during her visit in May 2005. Their 2005 Merlot was selected as wine of the show at he Northwest wine summit, Portland 2007. A first for Canadian wine
signature wines: Shiraz , Semillon, Viognier. Liqueur Muscat , Tawny Port.
Winemaker: Jeff Martin
Philosophy: to over deliver in the glass
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Lake Breeze Vineyard
930 Sammet Road,
Naramata, B.C.
VOH
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Located on the eastern hillsides overlooking Okanagan Lake. Historically an orchard, the first European vinifera were planted in 1985. Lake Breeze Vineyards is proud to be the first winery in Canada to grow and produce Pinotage, the native South African variety. Pinotage was developed in South Africa in the 1920s and is a cross between pinot noir and cinsaut (often referred to as hermitage). The winery is grouped owned .
Gary Reynolds is the operating partner .
Unique to Lake Breeze is Delice; a blend of Schonberger and Morio Muscat.
A licensed patio offers light lunches.
Winemaker: Garron Elmes
Philosophy:
We believe in taking the natural fruit flavours of the grape and transferring them to the bottle with minimum amount of manipulation. Through careful and meticulous vineyard management we receive fruit of the highest quality from which our wines make themselves.
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licensed patio
seasonal
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Lang Vineyards
2493 Gammon Road, RR1, S11, C55,
Naramata, B.C., VOH INO
Canada.
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Overlooking Okanagan Lake, Lang Vineyard has a magnificent view of the valley.
Lang Vineyards opened their doors in 1990 the first farm gate winery in BC and has grown from it's humble beginnings into one of the Okanagan's foremost boutique wineries
Lang makes a White Maple Wine - a blend of classic vinifera varietals, including Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Riesling. Produced in stainless steel, the wine is blended with premium quality syrup from the maple trees of eastern Canada.
The winery was purchased in Nov 2005 by Holman Farms the beginning of Holman Lang Wineries owners of Soaring Eagle, Lang Vineyards, Spiller Estates Stonehill Estates, Zero Balance, K Mountain, and Mistral Wineries
signature wines: Riesling Farm Reserve, Marechal Foch
Lang wines ccan be purchased in Korea, Japan, China
Winemaker: Bernhard Schirrmeister
Winemaking Philosophy: We strive for the highest quality grapes possible by controlling every step ...especially thinning. We harvest as late as possible to achieve a high degree of ripeness.
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Icewines
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Laughing Stock Vineyards
1548 Naramata Road
Penticton,
BC, Canada
V2A 8T7
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Located on a 5 acre parcel
in Naramata Laughing Stock is the
long term dream of David and Cynthia Enns. Considering their background in the investment industry, this move from Vancouver to the Okanagan to open a winery has resulted in their trading in financial stocks for grape stocks. In the eyes of their peer group, this venture could be interpreted as a whimsical, romantic, and well, ... foolish investment. A financial decision
that could make Cynthia and David the outright laughing stock in the eyes of their workmates in the financial industry. David often humorously refers to having made a Vow of Poverty when he decided to build a winery.
Laughing Stock is a name that will raise an eyebrow or two in the Okanagan Valley. It counters the traditional approach to wine marketing - largely based on elegance, refinement, stature, heritage etc. It also magnifies the vulnerability that Cynthia and David must bear. Every morning, they wake up motivated NOT to do anything that would validate their winery name. With a name like Laughing Stock, they have no choice but to produce exceptional wines.
The Enns' purchase
included some vineyard planted to Merlot and they have since planted additional acreage, Bordeaux varietals such as Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec. The first crush was completed in 2003 and they will be releasing a premium red blend in fall 2005 after 18 months of barrel aging.
Winemaker: David Enns
Winemaking philosophy: Winemaking will follow Bordeaux directives of creating a blend of up to 5 of the Bordeaux varieties for our flagship red wine. Extended barrel aging with a combination of new and used french oak will create the depth and complexity that comes from patient winemaking.
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Marichel Vineyards and Winery
1016 Littlejohn Road, Naramata, BC
V0H 1N0
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This small winery on Naramata bench
~500 cases per yearMarichel will produce bold wines primarily from estategrown
grapes and always with fruit grown on the Naramata Bench. Their focus is
to produce very limited wines.
They have 3 hectares of
Syrah and Viognier.
Requests for information were respectfully declined by the winery
Owned by Richard and Elizabeth Roskell
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Meyer Family Vineyards
4287 McLean Creek Road
Naramata Bench
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In 2006 the Meyer family purchased 3.1 acres of land on the Naramata Bench's Old Main Road.
The land had ten year old Chardonnay vines. A team was put in place to create great wines.
The team James Cluer General manager,Rhys production manager, Pierre LeVesque as vineyard anger and winemaker, along with Laura and Terry Meyer. Proprietors are Jak and Janice Meyer
The winery produces two distinct Chardonnays Micro Cuvee and the Tribute Series
Winemaker: Pierre LeVesque, Chris Carson
Philosophy
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Mistral Estate Winery
250 Upper Bench Road
Penticton, BC V2A 8T1
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Mistral Estate Winery is located a short distance north of Penticton amidst the rolling benchlands of the Naramata Bench. It's the newest winery belonging to Keith and Lynn Holman. Benchland Vineyards and Spiller Estate Winery are also theirs.
Winemaker: Bernhard Schirrmeister
is responsible for all three wineries
Winemaking Philosophy: By capturing the essences of the Okanagan - its sun, soil and ambience - in carefully nurtured varietal grapes and extracting that essence through superb winemaking craftsmanship, we will produce wines that won't just meet expectations, they will exceed them.
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Montagu Cellars Winery
# 29 1350 West 6 th Avenue Vancouver BC V6H 1A7
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The vineyards are in Naramata the offices in Vancouver. Its a small winery producing
only three barrels of Merlot and one of Chardonnay each vintage.
Proprietor Tom Doughty has sold his wines even before they are bottled.
Winemaker: Tom Doughty
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Nichol Vineyards & Estate Winery
1285 Smethurst Road
Naramata , British Columbia
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Nestled below the granite cliffs of the historic Kettle Valley Railway overlooking the sweeping majesty of Okanagan Lake . Nichol Vineyard has been creating hand-crafted specialty wines from estate-grown Okanagan grapes since 1993.
The winery is owned by Ross Hackworth.
Signature wine Syrah. They took a risk by planting
Syrah and St. Laurent. It was a good risk; the Syrah has won them numerous awards.
Winemaker: Ross Hackworth
Winemaking Philosophy: The gentle handling of the wine from must through to bottling is paramount. An approach that is best done manually when possible. This style is labor intensive, but one that better allows the winemaker to assist the wine in expressing its natural traits and seasonal characteristics.
Ross also believes in giving his wines an extra year to age.
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Poplar Grove
1060 Poplar Grove Road
Penticton B.C.
Canada V2A-8T6
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Ian and Gitta Sutherland bought 12 acres on Okanagan Lake. In 1993 the apple trees were replaced by a vineyard using merlot and cabernet franc clones from Bordeaux. The winery opened in 1997 with '95 merlot and '95 cab franc. Owners Ian and Gitta Sutherland won a Gold medal in 1997 for their very first release. This family run winery works on a very limited scale.
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Poplar Grove Cheese / cottage
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Red Rooster
Naramata Road
Naramata B.C. V2A 8T5
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Located on the scenic Naramata Bench Road, where breathtaking lake and mountain views surround the vineyard. The winery was originally started by a couple who immigrated from Switzerland. The winery's founders kept Rhode Island Reds; because roosters are good luck symbols in many cultures; and because roosters have a long association with wine (for example, the rooster is the symbol of the Chianti region of Italy.)
Today Red Rooster
owned and operated by Andrés Wines who recently purchased Calona wines .
The winery produces Gerùrztraminer, Pinot Gris Riesling and Merlot.
Winemaker: Karen Gillis
Winemaking Philosophy: "Quality before quantity"
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Soaring Estate Winery
1751 Naramata Road
Penticton, BC V2A 8T8
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Soaring Eagle wines are produced from hand selected bunches of grapes grown on the Naramata Bench. This is truly 'Single Vineyard—Low Yields' production ensuring that the best possible quality ends up in the bottle. Soaring Eagle resides in one of the most picturesque locations on the Naramata Bench and will quickly become known for the rare scenic beauty of its surroundings.
Winemaker, Bernhard Schirrmeister has created a riper, fuller style of wine using later harvesting, lees contact and now barrel aging to enhance but not to interfere with what nature provides. Soaring Eagle wines are lightly oaked drier wines, world class quality
Winemaker: Bernhard Schirrmeister
a Holman Lang Winery
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Spiller Estate Fruit Winery
475 Upper Bench Road N
Penticton V2A 8T4
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A fruit winery developed by Lynn and Keith Holman opened in 2003. On the property is a heritage home of an early pioneer named Elbert Spiller, which is now a charming B&B. The Holmans have a strong family history as fruit growers.
They have
50 mixed orchard
The winery found success which lead to the establishment of The Holman Lang Wineries
group
signature wines : Fuji Frost Iced Apple dessert wine
Winemaker:
Laurent Lafuente
Philosophy:
Our winemakers offer a complete range of skills and experience along with old-world attention to quality that is sure to impress your palate.
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Stonehill Estate Winery
170 Upper Bench Road S
Penticton, BC V2A 8T1
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Keith and Lynn Holman, the owners of Stonehill Estate Winery welcome you to the second winery on the Naramata Wine Route . The red-roofed building, with its profusion of colourful garden beds and hanging baskets, sits just below 9 acres of premium vineyard, including the first planting in BC of Zweigelt in 1997.
Stonehill offers a portfolio of well-known varietals such as Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Port-styled wines and of course their famous Zweigelt.
Winemaker: Bernhard Schirrmeister
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Township 7
1450 McMillian Ave
Penticton, BC V2A 8T4
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The winery was sold to Mike Raffan in June 2006
This is Township 7's second location. They opened their original location(2001) in Langley's Township7 . Since the wineries was so successful they felt it would be wrong to change the name on the Naramata location.
Two of the seven acres on the property were planted to grapes in the spring of 2004, with more plantings planned for 2005. The retail wine shop housed in the newly built winery opened in August, 2004
Besides the vineyards in Langley and on the Naramata Bench, grapes for Township 7 Vineyards and Winery wines are grown in the Oliver area of British Columbia, a great location for growing grapes for the more full-bodied Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs and Chardonnay's that Township 7 produces.
Winemaker: Brad Cooper
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Therapy Vineyards
940 Debeck Road
Naramata, British Columbia,
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A recently open winery owned by Naramata Development Corporation a general partner of Naramalta Winery Limited Partnership the name of the winery is based upon Our location is therapeutic, our guesthouse is therapeutic and our wine is therapeutic at the end of a long day.
John McBean
a calgary business man leads a group of fifty partners to launch a winery that combines great scenery along with great wines
Winemaker and General manger Marcus Ansems comes from a winemaking family (Mt Langi Ghiran in Australia), He has a degree majoring in Winemaking from Adelaide University Marcus has worked in Australia. South Africa, Italy, France, and Canada (both Niagara/Okanagan).
The winery has an 8 bedroom Five Star guest house
signature wines : Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
The winery future plans are to grow slowly and produce high-end ultra premium wines with special emphasis on Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and unique blends.
Winemaker: Steve Latchford
Winemaking Philosophy: winemaking philosophy . – Let the vineyard site come through in the wines, manipulate aromatic varieties as little as possible, use only the best quality oak, mouth feel is more important than tannin in red wines.
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Van Westen Vineyards
RR#1 850 Boothe Road
Naramata, British Columbia, Canada
V0H 1N0
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The Van Westen Family has been involved in farming the Naramata Bench for the last fifty years. Robert
Van West has taken it one step farther by opening his winery.
The property sits on an Eastern slope allowing for long hours of warm sunlight thus providing an excellent growing season.
Signature wines are Vino Grigio, Vavacious and Volptuous.
Currently their are no facilitiesfor visitors.
Winemaker: Robert Van Westen
Winemaking Philosophy: To grow, produce and bottle fruit grown by van westen vineyards, solely from our land on the naramata bench. From grapes to glass
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Zero Balance Vineyards
1865 Naramata Road
Penticton
, British Columbia, Canada
V0H 1N0
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The winery was opened in 2008 . It is owned by Keith and Lynn Holman. The name is a Tongue in cheek opinion of the bank balance of a winery owner.
signature wines: Malbec, Project 743 (
A blend of 3 grape varietals; Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Semillon)
Winemaker: Bernhard Schirrmeister
Winemaking Philosophy:Our winemakers offer a complete range of skills and experience along with old-world attention to quality that is sure to impress your palate.
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Holman Lang Wineries
Naramata, British Columbia, Canada
V0H 1N0
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The Holman Lang wineries is a group of five cottage wineries located on the Naramata bench of British Columbia wine country. They include Soaring Eagle, Lang Vineyards, Spiller Estates Stonehill Estates, Zero Balance, K Mountain, and Mistral Wineries each offer five distinct styles of winemaking.
Owner Keith Holman.
Winemaker: Bernhard Schirrmeister, Laurent La Fuente
Winemaking Philosophy: Finest quality wines commitment to compete with the worlds best
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