Naramata is definitely wine country. At last count, 45 wineries and vineyards called this part of the Okanagan home. That includes wineries in neighboring Summerland and Penticton, all within easy reach of hotels and rentals in Naramata. The Red Rooster Winery is the closest, not even a half-mile from the village. In 2013 the winery took home two Lieutenant Governor’s Awards, top honors in British Columbia wine making. Tasting is available year-round. Kettle Valley Winery is also less than a mile away on a prime piece of land fronting Okanagan Lake. Named after an old railway in Naramata, the wine shop is open from April to October and the rest of the year by appointment. Travel another half-mile south and you’ll find Lake Breeze, its vineyards also overlooking the lake. The tasting room is open from April through November with varying hours.
The Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa dates back to 1908 and is the grand lady of this small village. The latest refurbishment was in 2001, adding the modern conveniences travelers now expect, but still keeping the 12-room property's vintage appeal. An additional 12 rooms are available at the Naramata Courtyard Suites, a related property one block away. Breakfast is included with the room rates for both properties. The Inn offers the Heirloom Spa, featuring holistic treatments, the Cobblestone Wine Bay and the End of the Road Bistro, all available to guests of both the Inn and the Courtyard Suites.
The Sandy Beach Lodge & Resort sits on the shores of Okanagan Lake. Choose from cottages or the lodge with bed-and-breakfast rooms, both within steps of the beach. The Benchmark is a boutique style bed-and-breakfast property with clean lined contemporary décor, Zen-like outdoor gardens and a seasonal salt water pool. The Village Motel is a low-key property with all the rooms opening up into a common courtyard. The property is in the heart of the village, across from Naramata Community Church. A number of private vacation rentals are also offered. Some, such as the Deep Roots Cabin in the Vines and the Fox Ben Vineyards Guest Suite, are within steps of the grapevines.
The easiest way to get around Naramata and the Okanagan is by car, and during the warmer seasons, also by bicycle. Naramata Road connects the area with Penticton, about 10 miles south of the village. Air Canada Jazz, the commuter wing of Air Canada, offers service into Penticton Regional Airport. Car rentals are available from Budget and National at the terminal. It tends to snow quite a bit during winter, making the sometimes twisty roads hard to navigate. Renting an all-wheel-drive vehicle is your best bet between October and April. That is a wide window for snow, but in the Okanagan, you never quite know when that first storm will arrive.
