Naramata Bench

What’s Our Story?

Our Langley winery was where it all started, but this is where it all happens! The story of our Okanagan winery might start with a tasting in our wine shop, and a friendly conversation over a few sips as you learn about our history on the Bench. It then might lead to an invitation to join one of our wine clubs.  Ask us about how you can become a member of clubSEVEN or seven stars wine club and access special wines not on our shop shelves, or a plan to return for an event with friends and fellow BC wine explorers.

Come for a wine-themed event and relax, or learn the art and science of blending with our winemaker. Bragging rights if your blend is chosen as the “best”. Speaking of art, we embrace the marriage of art and wine with cultural offerings, like raising a glass to the Bard, and as for science? Take a tour and pick up a few viticulture terms to impress at your next kitchen party.

We really are a working winery and there will be no mistaking that fact when you come and visit. Whether we are picking, crushing, pressing, bottling or just plain labeling there is always that unmistakable smell of earthy winey goodness in the air. Take a look around back and you are very likely to see our winemaker Mary McDermott at work. Go ahead ask her a question, she doesn’t bite. Too often.

Our goal? A warm welcome. Our desire? Constant elevation of the senses and the experience of wine, and a future memory that begins with, “Do you remember when we tasted that wine?”. Our staff are here to start you on a journey to get to know us, our wines, everything we love about wine.

Now that you’ve discovered Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, we’re sure you’ll become a part of our own band of wine lovers, and we’ll see you and share a glass…soon.

The Faces Behind The Names?

Our Naramata Bench winery is run by a hospitable, passionate and dedicated team.

General Manager, Mike Raffan

A veteran restaurateur, with over two decades in the hospitality industry, Mike has been passionate about wine all of his working life. Since 2006 he has managed all aspects of the winery’s operations overseeing the growth of Township 7 with the expansion of both wine shops, an increase in production, and evolution of the winery to more small lot single vineyard wines. He has been involved in many industry associations including the BC Wine Grape Council, the executive of the Naramata Bench Winery Association, the Board of the BC Wine Institute, and advisor to the BC Wine Authority.  Born and raised on the north shore of Vancouver, he enjoys the outdoor lifestyle and can be found in his spare time cycling, hiking or paddle boarding.

Assistant General Manager, Trevor Allen

A tasting with Trevor is like watching a ballet of service. Before his extensive training in wine and hospitality he was a theatre major. Now a sommelier, he says that visiting a wine shop or going to an event should encompass storytelling. Trevor’s philosophy: while no one ever comes to a winery in a bad mood, the focus is on engaging all the senses and remember that wine is ultimately about celebration…even if that celebration is just that it’s Tuesday. 

Winemaker, Mary McDermott

Winemaker, Sommelier, Explorer.  Mary’s wine journey began as a Sommelier at Niagara’s fine dining restaurant, Inn on the Twenty, while finishing her Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture at Brock University.  Obtaining her first taste of winemaking, she landed at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s prestigious Stratus Vineyards as cellarhand and then assistant cellarmaster at Cave Spring Cellars. Soon thereafter, Mary joined Niagara’s premier winery family, Peller Estates premium wineries; Trius Winery at Hillebrand and Thirty Bench as their winemaker. A desire to pursue a lifelong dream of crafting small production wines in the picturesque Okanagan Valley prompted Mary’s move in 2014 to the warmer climes of B.C.’s renowned Naramata Bench as winemaker for Township 7 Vineyards & Winery. Now with multiple vineyards to oversee, two locations for Township 7, and many small lot wines to craft, Mary is a calm and collected wealth of winemaking knowledge. She believes winemaking starts in the vineyard and works closely with our viticulture team recognizing the nuances of each site. She and her husband are intrepid travelers, having visited wine regions across the globe. Fittingly, Mary’s wine philosophy: each bottle should take you somewhere, and express where it came from.

Assistant Winemaker, Devon Villard

Originally hailing from Ontario cottage country, Devon’s journey to winemaking has not followed the standard script. He joined Township 7 three years ago, first as our Naramata Tasting Room Manager and then transitioning to Cellarhand to learn the craft of winemaking. With a multifaceted background in pro snowboarding, rock climbing, photography and film, his perspective on making a good wine is like that of making a good movie; requiring a lot of hard work and just the right balance of science and creativity. Along the road to wine, saw him complete WSET Level 3, start a wine club, write a wine blog and earn his certificates in Viticulture & Enology at Washington State University. In his free time when not taking pictures or editing film shorts, Devon can be found in the beautiful Okanagan outdoors back country skiing in the winter and playing disc golf in the summer.

Tasting Room Manager, Crystal Ivers

Crystal has been in hospitality and around the wine industry for decades. As a young adult, she was inspired by the efforts of her vineyard manager stepfather who in the 1980s worked in the famed Becker project testing the viability of vinifera vines and in the subsequent hybrid pullout. Working in restaurants and customer service, while in school, wine was only a hobby as she pursued her education at Okanagan University College and then Langara College. Relocating to the south Okanagan and completing her WSET Level 2 provided the impetuous to go from a hobby to a career in wine as a tasting room associate, first with Tightrope Winery and then with Township 7. Last summer, Crystal was appointed to Tasting Room Manager and when not cheerily greeting guests, she can be found taking her spunky black and white Boston Terrier Tilly for walks on the KVR. She is currently working on her WSET Level 3 and enjoys all well-made wines, but especially big reds. We welcome you to stop in for a wine tasting and meet Crystal and Tilly!

When Are We Open?

During our winter hours, we are open 11am – 5pm, (Daily).  We invite you to visit us for a wine tasting, retail sales & wine pick-up.  Please call 250-770-1743 or send us an email to arrange curbside pick-up.

Enjoy the open space at the base of our vineyards as it is a wonderful place to soak up the Okanagan sun, enjoying a picnic with friends. 

How To Find Us?

Nestled at the gateway of the famous Naramata Bench. Travel east on Eckhardt Avenue and continue along Eckhardt as it turns into Haven Hill Road, Johnson Road and then into Upper Bench Road. Enjoy the scenery as you follow Upper Bench Road to McMillan Avenue. Take a right and we are right there at 1450 McMillan Avenue