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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Spring
Daily Special Culinary Trail Naramata Bench Spirits

When you arrive in Penticton, you’ll get an immediate sense of our warm, welcoming culinary community, and the Daily Special allows you to engage with the community as a local would.

Use the Daily Special itineraries of our culinary trail to plan out your travel!

This Naramata Bench culinary trail includes outdoor adventure stops mixed in with fresh, delicious food and drinks, with a focus on our local spirits and craft distilleries. 

1

The Bench Market

Set at the entrance to the Naramata Bench and next to the KVR trail, The Bench Market is a delicious way to start your culinary tour along the Naramata Bench. The Bench Market offers all-day breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, baked goods, takeaway meals & catering – along with the best coffee in town, made using Summerland-roasted organic beans.

They are committed to using local, fresh ingredients to make their healthy menu items from scratch. Their meats and eggs are from BC-raised, ethically-treated animals. And their retail shelves are stocked with a wide variety of unique Okanagan/BC fine foods, including their own signature Bench-made granola

Fun fact: They have monthly artwork displays, offering a commission-free exhibit space to Penticton-area artists. Perhaps you’ll find a perfect piece for your own collection or commission a one-off created just for you.

Read more about The Bench Market, and owners Heather and Stewart Glynes, in their Daily Special community feature here.

2

Kettle Valley Railway Trail - Little Tunnel

  • Naramata

Drive along Naramata Road out to Smethurst Road, and park at the KVR Smethurst Road Parking Lot for Little Tunnel.

The Little Tunnel lookout is a popular destination for most visitors along the KVR and offers incredible views from Peachland to the North to Okanagan Falls to the South.

It is about a 9km round-trip from the parking lot to Little Tunnel and back, with gorgeous views along the way.

At the Little Tunnel, take a break and enjoy some of the snacks you likely picked up at The Bench Market! 

Fun fact: The Kettle Valley Railway trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail. The Trans Canada Trail is over 24,000km, and is the longest recreational, multi-use trail network in the world.

3

Legend Distilling

You’ll be thirsty after your adventure out to Little Tunnel so Legend Distilling is a great stop to enjoy a cold cocktail.

They boast an inventive staff of mixologists, chefs, and distillers, and top notch service. Offering creative original cocktails and classics with a twist, as well as tastings by appointment or drop-in.

Legend Distilling believes that by being passionate about local ingredients, they are able to support their farmers, producers and other small businesses, which is important to them.

Their outdoor restaurant also offers casual, fresh fare on the patio, with stunning views of Okanagan Lake, mountains, and the valley.

Fun fact: Founded in 2013 by Naramata locals Dawn and Doug Lennie, after purchasing Naramata’s old doctor’s office building, the couple reinvented the space into a distillery, producing vodka and gin in their first years.

Read more about Legend Distilling, and owners Dawn and Doug Lennie, in their Daily Special community feature here.

4

The Restaurant at Naramata Inn

After a drink stop, head down into the charming village of Naramata for lunch at The Restaurant at Naramata Inn.

Led by top Canadian chef and Okanagan-born Ned Bell, the Restaurant at Naramata Inn is a next-level, hyper-local dining experience. Throw in a stunning room and a passionate crew? Now you’re speaking “Naramatian.”

Known for his commitment to seasonal, sustainable menus (and his outgoing, all-in personality), Bell is utilizing his 30 years of expertise to showcase the unparalleled quality of the Valley. From produce to proteins, the menus are built around the best local growers and artisans in Naramata, often personally delivering their goods to the restaurant’s back door.

The Restaurant at Naramata Inn is founded on outstanding culinary experiences, warm Okanagan hospitality, and a true commitment to local artisanship.

Fun fact: The Robinson family founded Naramata Inn in 1908. Naramata became a cultural hub thanks to J.M. and Eliza Robinson’s sophisticated tastes, legendary parties, and proclivity for the supernatural.

Read more about Naramata Inn in their Daily Special community feature here.

5

Manitou Beach and Park

  • Old Main Road, Naramata

After your “Naramatian” meal at The Restaurant at Naramata Inn, you’ll want to experience another Naramata favourite – Manitou Park. A beautifully kept park, perfect for an after-lunch stroll and a great place to dip your toes in the water of Okanagan Lake.

6

Maple Leaf Spirits

Another fantastic distillery with views along the Naramata Bench is Maple Leaf Spirits.

Jörg and Anette Engel are proud to offer award winning spirits, fruit brandies and liqueurs, handcrafted from Okanagan grown fruit, grapes and wine. Numerous awards have been won at Sip Northwest Spirits Competition and Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition.

Several fruit liqueurs celebrate fresh sun ripened Okanagan fruit, and are great as a lovely sweet treat or to enhance your dessert or cocktail. All products are gluten free, suitable in vegan diet and free of sulphur. The Engels have also made it dog and family friendly. In addition to their alcohol products, they sell cherry juice from CC Orchards on the Naramata Bench.

Fun fact: Established in Penticton in April 2004, they are now BC’s oldest distillery.

Read more about Maple Leaf Spirits, and owners Anette and Jorg Engel, in their Daily Special community feature here.

7

Poplar Grove Winery

A popular dinner destination, The Restaurant at Poplar Grove provides each guest with friendly and engaging service as they strive to bring you the best the Okanagan Valley has to offer. 

Chef Rob Ratcliffe’s menu highlights local and seasonal ingredients. Rob combines inventive and delicious ways to refine the nostalgic flavours of his youth along with the influences he gained throughout his career as a chef to create unique flavours.

The Restaurant at Poplar Grove Winery provides an elegant space to showcase their world-class wines. Their space includes a solar shaded patio offering protection from the elements with the solar panels providing power to the winery and restaurant year-round.

Fun fact: Founded in 1993, Poplar Grove Winery is one of the original five wineries on the Naramata Bench.

8

Munson Mountain Park

  • Munson Mountain Road, Penticton

Following your meal at The Restaurant at Poplar Grove, head around the corner for a hike up Munson Mountain.

Famous for its iconic PENTICTON sign, which was constructed in 1937, Munson Mountain is a favourite hike known for its breathtaking scenery and photo opportunities.

This is a short trail, about 1km round-trip, so easy to do even if you’re still full from dinner!

Fun fact: The Sunset Markers, or “Pen-Henge,” are small stones that are aligned to show the position of the sun setting over the west horizon at Winter/Summer Solstice and Spring/Fall Equinox.