The first official Naramata Bench winery I visited on my weekend trip to the Okanagan was Bench 1775 Winery. This winery has gone through a few transformations. I will let the winery tell you their story, in their own words, “Bench 1775 (formerly known as Paradise Ranch Wines Corp.) is one of the only two Okanagan Wineries producing icewine and late harvest wine since 1997. The venture was originally based on the picturesque Paradise Ranch vineyard, a dramatic lakefront property north of Naramata.
In 2006, the winery also released a line of icewines under its new Whistler Icewine label. Whistler wines were created in the spirit of celebration: for the Olympics which were held in the iconic Canadian location of Whistler.
In June 2011, Paradise Ranch Wines Corp purchased the beautiful vineyard at 1775 Naramata Road (Soaring Eagle Winery) in the celebrated geographical region of Naramata Bench and rebranded the winery as Bench 1775 Winery. Under its “Bench 1775” “Paradise Ranch” “Whistler” and “Soaring Eagle” brands, Bench 1775 currently produces an award-winning portfolio of icewines and table wines…”
Their winemaker is Richard Kanazawa, born in Vancouver and raised in Langley. He studied Food Technology at BCIT before heading to Australia to work multiple vintages in Mudgee, NSW and the Yarra Valley, Victoria. He returned to Canada in 2004, where he accepted the head winemaking position at Red Rooster in Naramata. After three vintages at Red Rooster, he moved on to the head winemaking position at Blasted Church in Okanagan Falls. In April 2020, Richard joined Bench 1775 Winery (https://www.bench1775.com/about-us/our-team/).
My Wine Tasting Notes
Bench 1775 Winery Pinot Gris 2022 – A lighter, clear, lemon colour. Nice peach, peach skin and honey aromas. Medium-minus body with a smooth, soft and lightly round mouthfeel. Light to medium acidity. Tasty peach flavour with a touch of honey and pepperiness on the finish. An easy sipper. 
Bench 1775 Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2022 – Fermented in stainless steel tanks. It has a pale lemon colour. Nice aromas, medium intensity, of grass, asparagus and green fruits. Medium body, round with a thicker mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity. Herbaceousness, asparagus and some minerality on the palate. Medium length with tart green fruit on the finish. 
Bench 1775 Winery White Meritage 2020 – a blend of 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc. This wine had one year of aging in neutral French oak barrels. It has a medium intensity, clear lemon colour. Medium-plus intensity aromas of butterscotch, apple and white flowers. Dry, medium body with a very smooth mouthfeel. Crisp and roasted apples, plus touches of sweet spices and butterscotch. Medium-plus length with tart citrus flavours on the finish.
Bench 1775 Winery Glow Rosé 2022 – A medium-minus clear rose petal colour. Flinty nose. Medium body, round, with a light mouthfeel. Fresh acidity. Flavours of strawberries plus some flintiness. Medium length finishing with lightly drying tannins.
Bench 1775 Winery Syrah 2021 – It has a medium-plus dull garnet colour. Teardrops are visible after swirling the wine. Medium-intensity juicy berries and meatiness on the nose. Dry, medium body, lightly round and a light mouthfeel. Light fresh flavours of juicy berries, plus touches of meatiness and pepperiness. Medium acidity and light tannins. Medium-plus length finishing with juicy berries and some tartness on the finish.
Bench 1775 Winery The Groove 2022 – a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Pinot Noir. This wine has a deeper, clear ruby colour. Medium-intensity aromas of juicy berries and a touch of spice. This wine is dry and soft with a lighter body. Light flavours of white pepper, berries, meatiness (pastrami?) and cassis. Medium-plus acidity and medium-drying tannins. Tart finish. A unique wine.
Bench 1775 Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019 – 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. It has a deeper, clear garnet colour. A nice light scent of red cherries plus touches of capsicum, cedar, and vanilla. Medium body, with a lightly round mouthfeel. Medium acidity and medium-plus tannins. Ripe juicy black fruit, ripe cherries and capsium on the palate with some vanilla and candied cherries as well. Medium-plus length with firmer drying tannins and a sweet black cherry finish.
Bench 1775 Winery Cabernet Franc 2017 – It has a medium-intensity, dull garnet colour. Enjoyable aromas of red fruit and pepper. Medium-plus body, smooth with a lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Red fruit and tart sour cherries, plus some stewed red fruit on the palate. Also bright raspberry flavours. Quite tart flavours overall and drying tannins on the finish. A wine that can still age for several years.
Bench 1775 Winery Whistler Late Harvest Chardonnay 2013 – A lighter, bright clear copper colour. Quite intense aromas of dried and sulphured apricots. Medium sweetness. Medium-minus body gets lighter on the palate as it warms up. Dried apricot flavours. Medium-plus acidity balances out with the sweetness in the wine. Medium-plus length. Dry finish with apricots to the end.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
These wines are available for purchase online via the Bench 1775 website. Several of these wines are available at Everything Wine and select Save on Foods stores.