Established in 1997 as Paradise Ranch Wines Corp and now known as Bench 1775, the winery stands out as one of only a handful Okanagan wineries crafting Icewine and late harvest wines. Its expansion in 2006 included the introduction of Whistler Icewine, created to honour the 2010 Winter Olympics. The acquisition of Soaring Eagle Winery on 1775 Naramata Road in 2011 prompted a rebranding to Bench 1775, named after its new address.
Today, the winery produces wines that eloquently express the unique fruit profiles from its own 10 vineyards spanning the Okanagan Valley and a small vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. Specializing in a diverse range of wines—white, rosé, red, and dessert wines—Bench 1775 truly excels with Bordeaux reds.
Tasting Note
The 2018 vintage marks the debut of Bench 1775's Red Meritage. Aged in French oak for 20 months, this Bordeaux blend combines the bold dark fruits of the South Okanagan with the freshness of the Naramata Bench, which lends bright red berries. With a few additional years of maturation in the bottle, it gracefully unfolds on the palate, revealing hints of savoury tertiary aromas of cedar.
Food Pairing
Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Demi-glace or Hard Cheeses