Bench 1775 - Video

By: Anthony Gismondi

Reflection on a young wine region

British Columbia

The 20 kilometer-long Naramata Bench begins at Penticton, British Columbia, and runs north along the east side bluffs above Okanagan Lake.

The narrow strip of precious vineland sits in the center of B.C.'s largest wine region, the Okanagan Valley. The many wineries and vineyards that occupy the bench have been founded by a patchwork of people from different countries and varying economic backgrounds, and levels of expertise in winegrowing. In the beginning, many settled and planted what they loved to drink and the forgiving site meant that, surprisingly, many thrived.

Valeria Tait is the General Manager, winemaker and viticulturist of the six-year-old Bench 1775 winery, located at almost the half-way mark of the Bench. She comments on how such variety can exist and on the evolution of winegrowing from her perspective as a 27-year veteran of working in vineyards throughout Okanagan Valley. We learn a bit more about what it’s like to be the new kid on the block and her approach to running a winery.

While we interview Tait in the video below, you'll enjoy the stunning views from their patio and glimpse at the laid-back lifestyle of the Okanagan Valley. You'll want to see the final shot.

Learn more: Bench 1775

Written By: ag

Anthony Gismondi

Anthony Gismondi is a Canadian wine journalist and one of North America's most influential voices in wine. For over 37 years, he has been the wine columnist for The Vancouver Sun. The twice-weekly column is distributed across Canada through the Postmedia Network to millions of readers. He is also the host of the BC Food & Wine Radio Show, which is broadcast in 25 markets across B.C. and available globally as a podcast on all the major platforms. He launched Gismondionwine.com in 1997, which now attracts more than one million monthly users from 114 countries. It remains a valuable resource, offering tasting notes, insightful wine stories, and videos for the trade and consumers. His extensive collection of videos featuring wine personalities is available on the Gismondi on Wine YouTube Channel.