Ven'Amour Organic Farms at Forbidden Fruit Winery
Visit today’s Garden of Eden at Ven’Amour Organics — one of the oldest operating family organic farms in the Similkameen Valley, producing over 60 varieties of sustainable tree fruits and grapes since 1977, all planted on virgin soils away from commercial farming areas.
Kim Brind’Amour and Steve Venables began farming this land organically from day one. When BC’s organic certification program launched in 1984, Ven’Amour was among the very first farms certified — placing this family at the foundation of the organic movement that now defines Cawston as the Organic Farming Capital of Canada. The farm encompasses 142 acres along the Similkameen River — 32 acres of orchards and vineyards sloping gently toward the water, with the remainder preserved in partnership with the Land Conservancy of BC as wildlife habitat, desert steppe, and old growth riparian cottonwood forest.
Forbidden Fruit Winery
In 2004, that fruit became wine. Forbidden Fruit Winery opened as a boutique estate operation producing small-lot, award-winning fruit wines and grape wines — white, red, rosé, sparkling, cider, and dessert — made exclusively from certified organic fruit. The range includes Speachless Off Dry Peach, Flaunt Sparkling Plum, Pomme Desiree Iced Apple Dessert, Adam’s Apple, and the acclaimed Dead End No Return red. The tasting room on Sumac Road reflects Kim’s artistic vision throughout: her paintings, mosaics, and jewellery fill the walls and shelves, a direct expression of the farm and valley that surrounds it. Wines are available at the tasting room, online by the case, and through select retail listings across BC including Save On Foods.
Harvest Moon Guesthouse
Tucked on a hillside above the orchards and vineyards, the Harvest Moon Guesthouse accommodates up to six guests in a fully furnished three-level log home with panoramic views across the Similkameen Valley. The outdoor living is exceptional — a wrap-around screened deck, hot tub, BBQ, landscaped grounds, and fire pit, surrounded by the unique wildlife habitat of the Ven’Amour estate. Inside, the main floor offers a well-equipped kitchen, dining area, claw foot tub bathroom, and bedroom. The upper level has a master bedroom with cathedral windows and an open loft. The garden level includes a reading room with fireplace, a lounging room with double sofa bed, and laundry facilities. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary bottle of Forbidden Fruit wine and organically grown seasonal fruit — and the winery tasting room is just a short walk down the hill.
A landmark stop on the Similkameen Valley Farm Trail, and one of the most storied organic properties in British Columbia.
