Forbidden Fruit Winery
On a lush hillside sloping down to the Similkameen River, you’ll find the organic orchards and vineyards of Forbidden Fruit Winery. Owners Steve Venables and Kim Brind’Amour started this farm from scratch more than 35 years ago. Their first wines were produced in 2005, and they’ve been going (and growing!) strong, ever since.
Now their son, Nathan, wears the winemaker boots, and he has managed to capture in-bottle the family’s commitment to producing pure, sustainable, delicious BC fruit. With responsible farming practices and a talent for bringing the juiciest, freshest flavours to the forefront, Nathan’s award-winning, 100% organic wines have raised the bar for fruit wines.
Winemaker: Nathan Venables
What path led you to a career as a winemaker? The path of least resistance! Forbidden Fruit is a family company; I worked for 10 years in the cellar, and have been Winemaker for 4 years.
If you were a wine, which wine would you be? I would love to be a Cabernet Franc.
If you could only drink one wine for the rest of your life, what wine would it be and why? I love to drink Cabernet Sauvignon, because it is bold and distinctive.
What is your greatest passion? Learning & improving are my passions.
What might people be surprised to learn about you? You might be surprised that I am good at skipping!
What’s your secret food craving? I secretly crave sushi.
What’s your favourite food to eat while watching movies? I eat Reese’s peanut butter cups.
What is your favourite grape, and why? Tannat, because it is obscure and rare. It’s a full-bodied, tannic red that’s grown mainly in the French Pyrénées and in South America.
What drives you? I am driven by self-improvement.
If you couldn’t do this, what would you do? Besides winemaking I am a guide outfitter. I love to show off the incredible beauty and bounty of the Similkameen!
What is your favourite South-Okanagan/Similkameen activity? I enjoy hunting in the local mountains.
Describe your dream meal: Crab Fettuccine Alfredo. Mmmm…
What is your favourite food or wine film, and why? Waiting. Ryan Reynolds is super funny!
