At Hillside Winery & Bistro, couples say their vows between rows of Naramata Bench vines and then carry the celebration up to a patio where the evening sky takes over.
The winery sits on Naramata Road just outside Penticton, on the bench above Okanagan Lake. Its timber-frame building was modelled on an old gristmill, with a 72 foot tower that still does real work cooling the wine cellar below.
There is history in the walls, too. The four dark Douglas fir beams holding up the Bistro roof and Upper Patio were cut on Vancouver Island in the late 1800s and spent nearly 90 years in a Vancouver warehouse before coming here. Round stones dug from the hillside during construction now form an arch at the base of the tower.
The ceremony site is set among the vineyards and comes with white chairs, a feature arbour, potted flowers, wine barrels and an onsite supervisor. Surrounding display gardens hold more than a hundred plant species and bloom from spring into autumn.
Receptions take place in the Bistro and on the Upper Patio, with tables and chairs set up by the team. Catered ceremonies and receptions welcome up to 65 guests.
Meals come from the Bistro kitchen and lean on local ingredients, served family style, or as canapés and platters for a cocktail reception. Custom menus and dietary needs are welcome, and the wines are made right here. Wine service, guided tours and private access to the vineyard for photos can all be part of the day.
Weddings run on selected weekdays and weekends in April, May, June and September, with July, August and long weekends left out.
For couples who picture an intimate gathering among the vines with good food, estate wine and dancing outdoors after dark, Hillside Winery & Bistro offers a wedding that feels rooted in the Naramata Bench.
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