A Fruity Adventure Near Orcutt
If you’re in Orcutt, California, craving some farm-fresh goodness, you might wonder where to find the nearest apple orchard or cider mill. Well, hold onto your apple-picking baskets because we’ve got a treat for you! You’ll find the intriguingly named Forbidden Fruit Orchards, just a short drive from Orcutt.
Now, before you start imagining snake-tempted Eve or thinking you’ll need to sneak past security guards to grab an apple, let’s clear things up. Forbidden Fruit Orchards is a real place, and it’s okay to visit. They’d love to have you!
Location, Location, Location
Forbidden Fruit Orchards isn’t exactly in Orcutt, but it’s close enough for a fun day trip. You’ll find this 100-acre fruit paradise in Lompoc, about 12 miles east of the ocean. That’s roughly a 30-minute drive from Orcutt, depending on how fast you go (and how many times you stop to admire the scenery).
More Than Just Apples
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Forbidden Fruit Orchards isn’t your typical apple orchard. They’re known for growing all sorts of unique fruits. It’s like Mother Nature’s candy store out there! But don’t worry, apple lovers – while they might not specialize in apples, they’ve got plenty of other goodies to make up for it.
Blueberry Bonanza
One of their star attractions? Blueberries! These little blue powerhouses thrive in the area’s microclimate. Picture rows upon rows of blueberry bushes, heavy with ripe fruit just waiting to be picked. It’s enough to make you want to bake a pie… or ten!
Grape Expectations
But wait, there’s more! Forbidden Fruit Orchards isn’t just about the fruit you can eat straight off the bush. They’re also in the wine business. That’s right – this orchard is pulling double duty as a winery. They grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, producing wines with over 90 points in ratings. Not too shabby for a fruit farm!
The Winery Experience
Speaking of wine, let’s talk about Cebada Winery. This is the wine-making arm of Forbidden Fruit Orchards, and it’s quite the setup. Picture this: you’re sipping on a glass of their award-winning Pinot Noir, gazing out over vineyards with the Santa Ynez Mountains as your backdrop. Sounds pretty good, right?
A Wedding in the Orchard
And for those of you thinking, “Gee, this sounds like a great place to get married,” – you’re not alone! Forbidden Fruit Orchards doubles as a wedding venue. Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by fruit trees and grapevines. Just be careful not to spill any red wine on that white dress!
The Organic Touch
Another thing that makes Forbidden Fruit Orchards special is that they’re all about that organic life. Their fruits are grown without nasty chemicals so you can munch away without worry. It’s good for you and good for the environment – a win-win!
Planning Your Visit
You might be wondering how to get on some of this forbidden fruit. Well, you’ve got options:
- Farm Stand: They might have a farm stand where you can buy fresh-picked produce.
- U-Pick: Some orchards offer U-pick options to channel your inner farmer and harvest your own fruit.
- Farmers Markets: Keep an eye out for Forbidden Fruit Orchards at local farmers markets in the area.
- Wine Tasting: Don’t forget to attend a wine tasting at Cebada Winery.
Beyond Forbidden Fruit
If you’re still craving some apple action, don’t despair. While Forbidden Fruit Orchards might not be your traditional apple orchard, the Orcutt area has plenty of other farms and orchards to explore. You might find apple trees, pumpkin patches, or other seasonal goodies depending on the time of year.
The Final Bite
So there you have it – Forbidden Fruit Orchards, a fruit lover’s paradise just a short drive from Orcutt. It might not be the apple orchard you expected, but sometimes, the best adventures come from trying something different. Who knows? You might discover a new favorite fruit, find your new go-to wine, or even book your dream wedding venue.
Remember, the best way to experience Forbidden Fruit Orchards is to visit for yourself. So grab your sun hat, slather some sunscreen, and prepare for a fruit-filled adventure. Just try not to get too carried away and start naming all the blueberries – trust me, it makes leaving a lot harder.
And hey, even if you don’t find the apple of your eye, you will surely have a grape time. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist that one!) Happy fruit hunting!
Sources: forbiddenfruitorchards.com, Forbidden Fruit Orchards Facebook Page
Header Image Source: Photo by Julia Kicova on Unsplash
