Howling Bluff Estate Winery

Howling Bluff Estate Winery is a family-operated producer on Three Mile Road, at the Penticton end of the Naramata Bench. Established in 2004 by owner Luke Smith, the winery remains locally owned and proudly small in scale, focused on small-lot wines that express the Bench's lake-moderated slopes. Its name comes from a story the winery loves to tell: on a beautiful early spring morning, with the moon still visible, the dogs began howling on the bluff, and the name stuck. Pinot Noir is the calling card here and has earned the winery considerable acclaim, supported by a roster that has included Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and rose.

For visitors, the experience is built around an outdoor tasting patio with views over Okanagan Lake, where guided, personalized tastings walk guests through the estate wines at an unhurried pace. Reservations are required for tastings, which keeps the patio relaxed even in high summer and ensures every group gets genuine attention, so booking ahead is essential. A wine club with two customizable annual shipments and an online shop keep the wines flowing for those who cannot make it back to the Bench every year. The location, just a few minutes up the hill from Penticton, makes Howling Bluff one of the first stops on a classic Naramata Bench tour, easily combined with the dozens of boutique wineries strung along Naramata Road and the Kettle Valley Rail Trail above. For Pinot Noir lovers in particular, this small lakeview estate is one of the Bench's essential visits, offering serious wines in a setting that stays warm, personal and distinctly family-run.