Quick Conversations In Wine – Nathalie Bonhomme Les Vins Bonhomme
Unfortunately this winemaker is stuck at home for the Vancouver International Wine Festival, due to an injury, but the winery will be there! Here’s more about Spain’s Nathalie Bonhomme from Les Vins Bonhomme in our speed round of Q + A with her. There’s also more on the Vancouver International Wine Festival here.
Proudest moment?
To see my Monsieur Bonhomme, my dad, open my first bottle of wine, El Bonhomme 2017.
Favorite grape variety?
Many. Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Garnacha, Monastrell.
Favorite wine you make? Why?
Impossible to choose a favourite, it is like with children. All of them have unique circumstantial stories, but if I had to pick one, it would be my last one; Caminos del Bonhomme Chardonnay Organic.
Favourite food? Meal?
Vegetables and cheese.
Funny thing that happened along the way ?
Many. One of them is about El petit Bonhomme red, screwcap first shipment that arrived in BC and the screwcaps were too tight, impossible to open! So many unfortunate events happened on the El Petit Bonhomme road to Canada that we decided to laugh about it.
Yoga? Meditation? What keeps you going?
My girls and the sun in the morning, the beauty of nature around us, and the chance we all have to be alive and well and to make the most of it.
Blundstones or Blahnik?
Blundstones! The cement floor is a little cold and wet in the winery for Manolos.
What are you looking forward to this year?
To have my right arm functioning! And continuing my new project … À l’état Pur ( Pur State).
Organic, biodynamic, vegan, low alcohol wines.What are your thoughts on these?
Common sense, as simply as that, for the first 3. As per low Alcohol wines I don’t see it as a wine but rather a drink and have nothing against it.
Advice for women in the industry?
Be a good listener and make yourself heard, work hard and focus on what you like most, it will mark your path. And do not take yourself seriously, a smile and laugh carries you a long way!
Bio Nathalie Bonhomme
Canadian transplant Nathalie Bonhomme has a vast understanding of Spanish wines. Born and raised in Montreal, Nathalie moved to Spain over 29 years ago where she created her own export company, Sea View Wines. Her company specializes in bringing to Canada small to medium-sized family Spanish family wineries that put together savvy wines that over delivers in all sensory aspect, some virtuous wines to remember. Her passion for wine led Nathalie into other realms. Under the tutelage of winemakers in Valencia and Jumilla, she began making her own wines. Her nine “Bonhomme” wines are made in distinct appellations all over Spain and now share the shelves in all Canadian
markets. For the last two years she has dived into the Spanish extra virgin olive oil fascinating world. The high-quality oil is made under the Bonhomme brand and sold into IGA and Metro in Quebec, soon into other provinces. Nathalie lives in a small fishing village along Spain’s Mediterranean Costa Blanca, near Alicante and has two daughters born in Spain that are both back in Canada working and finishing their studies at McGill University.
