The long, sinuous east-facing escarpment above the east shore of Okanagan Lake, stretching 15 kilometres north from Penticton to the village of Naramata. Sandy and gravelly soils over glacial subsoil, lake moderation, and a density of serious producers makes this Canada's most compelling wine address after the Golden Mile. Pinot noir, merlot, cabernet franc, and syrah achieve genuine depth; the aromatics have a distinctly lifted, lake-cooled character.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 94 | Naramata Bench's 2024 was defined by ideal growing conditions — warm but not extreme, with the lake moderating the summer heat and a dry, beautiful harvest season. Pinot Noir and aromatic whites are both showing exceptional promise from this vintage. |
| 2022 | 95 | Lake-moderated microclimate made 2022's sustained heat work beautifully. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay achieved rare ripeness without loss of the bench's signature freshness. Nichol Vineyard, Therapy Vineyards, and La Frenz all produced exceptional single-block wines. The bench benchmark vintage of the decade. |
| 2021 | 85 | Lake moderation saved Naramata from the worst heat dome effects. Higher blocks above the lake influence were more affected. Nichol and Therapy showed strong results from low-cropped vines. Overall a sound vintage, better than valley floor. |
| 2020 | 93 | The Okanagan lake's influence kept Naramata Bench clean while coastal regions suffered smoke. A benchmark Pinot Noir vintage — lifted aromatics, silky tannins, precise acid. One of the bench's finest seasons on record for Pinot and Chardonnay. |
| 2017 | 91 | Warm, dry season produced excellent concentration in all varieties. The bench's good diurnal variation maintained acidity through a hot summer. |
| 2016 | 96 | One of the finest Naramata Bench vintages on record. Long, warm summer with a cool, extended autumn produced Pinot Noir of extraordinary finesse and Chardonnay of real tension. |
| 2015 | 91 | The hottest Naramata Bench season produced Pinot Noir of unusual concentration and early-drinking appeal. The 2016 exceeded it in finesse but 2015 remains a significant warm-vintage benchmark. |
| 2014 | 95 | Naramata Bench's 2014 was exceptional for aromatic whites and Pinot Noir. The season's warmth was moderated by Okanagan Lake's cooling influence, preserving freshness in Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Chardonnay while Pinot Noir achieved impressive concentration. |
| 2013 | 95 | Naramata Bench's 2013 was extraordinary — a season that produced the benchmark Pinot Noir and aromatic whites of the modern era for the Bench. The lake's moderate influence and the season's natural balance created wines of rare purity and freshness. |
| 2012 | 92 | Naramata Bench's 2012 was defined by the season's heat — unusual power for this lake-moderated Okanagan sub-region. Red wines showed exceptional depth while whites were picked with care to preserve freshness against the extraordinary temperatures. |