Steps from the Naramata General Store, 1 Mill Road may just be Canada’s smallest winery. David and Cynthia started the winery in the Naramata Wine Vault after selling Laughing Stock back in 2018. They wanted to start anew with a singular focus: home-grown Pinot Noir from the Naramata Bench.
Now their vision continues under Ben Bryant and Katie Truscott, two Okanagan wine leaders who recently took the reins. Originally from Australia, Ben moved to the Okanagan in 2018 to take the position of Winemaker at Mission Hill. He was previously the Chief Winemaker Australia for Pernod Ricard, where he oversaw admired labels like Jacobs Creek.
His partner, Katie, oversees sales and marketing. After a decade-long stint in South Africa, she returned home to the Okanagan in 2018. Day-to-day, she's the Sales and Marketing Manager at Kitsch Wines in East Kelowna, where she leads some of the most innovative marketing in the Okanagan.
Tasting Note
A rich, dark-fruited Pinot from the exceptional 2020 vintage, this shows black raspberry and brambles alongside sweet, savoury spices. Medium-full bodied, with a suave, polished texture, this shows a hedonistic side of the Naramata Bench that's lifted by fresh herbs and spices from the partial use of whole clusters.
Food Pairing
Braised chicken with olives and herbs