Summary: PROTECTING THE NARAMATA BENCH/AMPERSAND DISTILLERY<br> <br> THE SHOW <br> <br> Tasting Room Radio was created in a studio barn on the Naramata Bench in 2007.<br> We were attracted by the space, the people and the farming community. Since we moved back to the Coast in 2011 we’ve become aware how The Bench has grown. In some cases, not in a good way.<br> The good news is the food/restaurant possibilities have become much better, sustainable farming has become the norm.<br> The wines have truly become better and better. Some World Class. Accommodation has improved and grown with the area.<br> With success comes some serious challenges. Wine fans from all over dream of living part of the year in wine country. No problem unless building that housing could seriously affect the whole of Naramata Bench.<br> Let’s face it. From April to October the Okanagan Valley can be swarmed with visitors. The Naramata Bench and its single road on a busy day can be challenging for the wine fan and the farmer.<br> Now comes “the development” on Spiller Road. Just at that S shaped “crash corner” at Red Rooster. High on that hill a housing community is taking shape and it threatens the locals and their vineyards.<br> A Penticton petition calling to “preserve and protect” Penticton’s Naramata Bench has gathered close to 15,000 signatures . The 121 acre site located beside the local land fill boasts 324 single and multi-residential housing units.<br> Some residents aren’t impressed.<br> “Allowing the Naramata Bench to be developed beyond the current agricultural density would forever change the look and feel of the area. It would take away from the destination as a sought after recreational area, affect wildlife, the natural abundance and ultimately affect all of the businesses in the area in a negative way,” reads the <a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-penticton-listen-to-the-residents-of-penticton-and-respect-the-vision-and-ocp?recruiter=1089196201&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=8b79b899defb4f16954baa15327f4314&recruited_by_id=32abf670-9534-11ea-be46-11b4cb99f10b&utm_content=fht-23053627-en-ca%3A1">petition started by </a><a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-penticton-listen-to-the-residents-of-penticton-and-respect-the-vision-and-ocp?recruiter=1089196201&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=8b79b899defb4f16954baa15327f4314&recruited_by_id=32abf670-9534-11ea-be46-11b4cb99f10b&utm_content=fht-23053627-en-ca%3A1">Josie Tyabji</a><a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-penticton-listen-to-the-residents-of-penticton-and-respect-the-vision-and-ocp?recruiter=1089196201&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=8b79b899defb4f16954baa15327f4314&recruited_by_id=32abf670-9534-11ea-be46-11b4cb99f10b&utm_content=fht-23053627-en-ca%3A1"> on Change.org.</a><br> We thought it was time to share this conflict with you, the wine fan.<br> We have interviews with :<br> Lindsay O’Rourke Co-Founder of Tightrope Winery.<br> Gjoa Taylor & John Bilodeau from Gjoa Vineyards<br> Duncan McCowan President of Hillside Estate Winery and Bistro<br> Chef Ned Bell Naramata Inn. (recorded before Christmas but gives a sense of how special Naramata Town and area are)<br> <br> <a href="https://naramatainn.com/">https://naramatainn.com/</a><br> <a href="http://www.tightropewinery,ca">www.tightropewinery,ca</a><br> <a href="https://www.gjoasvineyard.com/">https://www.gjoasvineyard.com/</a><br> <a href="https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/">https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/</a><br> <a href="http://www.preservenaramatabench.com">www.preservenaramatabench.com</a><br> <br> BUT FIRST:<br> We start this weeks Tasting Room Radio with a revisit to the sparkling Ampersand Dis...
