Perched high along Penticton’s famed Naramata Bench, Red Rooster Winery offers one of the Okanagan Valley’s most inviting and expressive wine experiences. Founded by European immigrants who settled in the region in 1990, the winery released its inaugural vintage in 1997. The estate quickly gained a reputation for refusing to take itself too seriously while taking the craft of winemaking exceptionally seriously. Over more than 25 years, Red Rooster has evolved into an iconic fixture of the bench, celebrated as much for its relaxed, authentic visitor experience as for its terroir-driven portfolio.
Unapologetic Artistry on the Naramata Bench
Today, Red Rooster Winery is building on its rich legacy with renewed energy and refreshed branding. The rooster design on the bottle, inspired by the real red rooster that roamed the founders’ original property, represents the winery’s bold, playful spirit and its belief that wine should, above all, be enjoyed. Visitors arriving at the Naramata Bench location are greeted by sweeping views of Lake Okanagan, rolling vineyards, and contemporary art installations integrated seamlessly into the property. The tasting room itself encourages exploration rather than formality, creating an unpretentious space where novice tasters and seasoned oenophiles feel equally at home.
Behind this easygoing charm lies a precise and modern approach led by winemaker Cameron Laverock. Having grown up in the Okanagan surrounded by vineyards, Laverock brings a deep connection to place and a philosophy focused on balance and consistency. “For me, great winemaking is about balance, consistency, and letting the vineyard speak for itself,” says Laverock. “My goal is to craft wines that reflect the character of the Okanagan while creating bottles that people genuinely want to open, share, and enjoy.”
To achieve this, the winemaking team emphasizes expressive single-vineyard lots and thoughtful blending, sourcing premium fruit from choice sub-regions across the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. By utilizing a mix of stainless steel fermenters, concrete eggs, and French oak barrels, Red Rooster crafts wines that balance freshness, mouthfeel, and varietal integrity.
Recommended Vintages to Discover
Red Rooster 2025 Chardonnay
This 100% Chardonnay offers a masterclass in balance and purity. Sourced from select vineyard sites across Oliver and the Similkameen Valley, the fruit was gently pressed and cool-fermented in stainless steel to retain maximum vitality. The winemaking team applied a layered approach, uniting stainless steel lots with components that underwent malolactic fermentation, bâtonnage, and subtle French oak aging.
- Tasting Notes: Bright and expressive with crisp green apple, ripe pear, and citrus zest aromas. The palate is vibrant and juicy with notes of white peach, pear, and orange blossom, finishing with a delicate mineral edge and silky texture.
Red Rooster 2025 Pinot Noir
Handpicked from vineyards in the South Okanagan and East Kelowna, this 100% Pinot Noir reflects the diverse soils of the region. The grapes were gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel with daily pump-overs to extract optimal colour and depth. Aged for five months in a combination of stainless steel and French oak, each vineyard lot was carefully matured before assembling the final blend.
- Tasting Notes: Bright aromas of red cherry and wild raspberry lead into a silky, layered palate accented by violet, dried cranberry, and baking spice. Fine tannins and vibrant acidity carry through to an elegant finish.
Red Rooster 2025 Sauvignon Blanc
Bright, crisp, and delightfully easygoing, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc highlights fruit from prime South Okanagan sites. Following a gentle pressing with subtle skin contact, the wine was cool-fermented in stainless steel, with 10% fermented in concrete eggs and 5% aged in stainless steel barrels with gentle bâtonnage to build texture without sacrificing brightness.
- Tasting Notes: Opens with aromatic bursts of citrus, crisp apple, and fresh herbal notes. Lively lime and green apple shine on the palate alongside a hint of gooseberry, delivering a light body and a smooth, textured finish.
A visit to Red Rooster Winery captures the spirit of the Okanagan: generous, expressive, and effortlessly sophisticated. Whether stocking a cellar for upcoming dinner gatherings or looking for the ideal bottle to uncork on a warm afternoon, adding these versatile vintages to a collection is a simple way to bring the warmth and craft of the Naramata Bench directly to the table.
Author Profile
- ‘BC Sips & Stories’, an ongoing series celebrating BC producers creating outstanding beverages, each with its own unique story, flavours, and impact on the community. Compiled by Town Hall Brands, a marketing and branding agency with a passion for promoting quality products, this series aims to shine a light on some of the best BC distilleries, wineries, and makers they work within our region. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning to explore locally crafted beverages, each feature will introduce you to a brand committed to quality, creativity, and connection.
Latest entries
BC Sips & StoriesOctober 14, 2026BC Sips & Stories: Vibrant Expression and Creative Spirit at Red Rooster Winery
BC Sips & StoriesOctober 7, 2026BC Sips & Stories: The Resilient Soul of Black Hills Estate Winery
BC Sips & StoriesSeptember 23, 2026‘BC Sips & Stories’ Listening to the Land: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
BC Sips to SupportJanuary 2, 2025‘BC Sips to Support’ Narrative Wines Are Telling the Okanagan’s Boldest Stories
