Upper Bench Chardonnay wins Best of Show at 2026 Trends Wine Awards

Upper Bench Estate Winery and Creamery’s 2023 Chardonnay has been named Best of Show white wine at the 2026 Trends Top B.C. Wine Awards. The award was granted following blind judging.

Head winemaker Gavin Miller noted that the success highlights Chardonnay’s suitability for the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. The region’s terroir, characterized by glacial silt, sand, and clay, combined with long summer days and cool nights moderated by Okanagan Lake, provides an environment conducive to ripening the grape while preserving acidity. This win marks a consecutive run of gold medals for Upper Bench’s Chardonnay vintages from 2020 through 2023.