Before You Come

Questions,
Answered

Volcan Valley Apple Farm is a U-Pick apple orchard at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive in Julian, California, 2.4 miles north of downtown Julian. U-Pick season opened Sunday, September 6 and runs into mid-October. The orchard is open Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and closed Monday through Friday; a Sunday is open only when we announce that Sunday. Admission is $5 per person and children five and under are free with a paying adult; picking bags are $20 and hold six to seven pounds of apples, and only one bag needs to be bought per group. We do not take reservations and we do not book groups — picking is first come, first served for everyone, school and scout groups included. The orchard is dog-friendly on leash, stroller-friendly, and grown without chemicals, with seven apple varieties on 7,000 trellised trees across ten acres.

Visiting & Hours

When is U-Pick season, and when does it usually open?
The 2026 season opened Sunday, September 6. Chris has since walked the orchard and set the rest of the season from what is actually on the trees: we are open every Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM — September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10 and October 17 — running into mid-October for as long as the apples last. We are closed Monday through Friday, and we open a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday. Each week we confirm the coming Saturday on the banner at the top of this website and in The Cider Press, our email newsletter.
What are your hours?
When we are open it is 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Last bags are handed out at 4:30 PM and the gates close at 5:00 PM. We are closed Monday through Friday. For the rest of this season we are open every Saturday — September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10 and October 17 — and a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday. Each week we confirm the coming Saturday on the banner at the top of this website and in The Cider Press, our email newsletter.
Are you open on Sundays?
We are open on Saturdays for the rest of the season. We open a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday. If you are looking to pick on days we are not open, we recommend our friends at Julian Farm & Orchard in Wynola.
Are you open on weekdays?
No — we are closed Monday through Friday. For the rest of the 2026 season we pick on Saturdays, and we open a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday. Fridays were part of the plan earlier in the season and are not anymore, so please do not plan a Friday visit.
Are you open Labor Day weekend?
No — we are CLOSED on Labor Day Monday, September 7. The orchard and the farm stand are both closed that day. We opened Sunday, September 6, and the day brought a much bigger crowd than we expected; essentially all of the ripe fruit was picked. The apples still on the trees need more time. We are sorry for the change. We are open every Saturday for the rest of the season, starting Saturday, September 19, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Do I need a reservation?
No — we don't take reservations at all, so there is nothing to book and nothing to arrange. Apple picking is first come, first served for everyone, and the rule is the same for a large group as it is for one family. We have come close to our capacity limit, but we have never actually had to turn anyone away, so you are not racing anyone for a spot. Just arrive during our open hours (9:00 AM – 4:30 PM) on a day we are open and pay admission and your bag at the gate.
Can a large group make a reservation?
No — we don't take reservations, and that includes every kind of group: school and homeschool classes, scout troops, church and club outings, birthday parties and large families. It is one rule for everybody, so nobody has to ask and nobody gets a different answer. Apple picking is first come, first served. Large groups are genuinely welcome and we see them often — you won't face queuing or crowding if you arrive in the morning during our open hours. Come as you are, pay admission and your bag at the gate, and pick alongside everyone else.
How long does a visit take?
Most families spend 1–2 hours picking apples and enjoying the orchard. You are welcome to stay and have a picnic at our tables.
What time should we arrive to avoid the crowds?
Arriving right at 9:00 AM gives you a quiet orchard for the first hour before it fills up, and the last couple of hours before closing (3:00 to 4:30 PM) are usually calm as well. Late morning, roughly 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, is the peak. We are open Saturdays for the rest of the season, and a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday. We can never guarantee it — a perfect autumn day brings everyone up the hill at once.
When should we visit if we want a quieter experience?
We are open Saturdays for the rest of the season, and a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday, so the quiet is in the hours rather than the day. The calmest stretches are the first hour after we open at 9:00 AM and the last couple of hours before closing, from about 3:00 to 4:30 PM. Late morning, roughly 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, is our busiest. A quieter hour also gives you a better chance of catching Chris, our lead farmer, for a short talk and some questions — though we cannot promise her time, since the orchard has a way of making other plans.
Any tips for making the most of our visit?
Take it slow — it can be a hot day, and the orchard is a far nicer place at a wander than at a march. Start with the samples at the gate so you know which varieties you actually like before you fill a bag. And do ask a farm hand for picking tips: they know which rows are at their best that morning, and they will happily show you how to take an apple off the tree without bruising it or hurting next year's bud.
Why were you closed for part of last season?
Some years the fruit simply is not ready all at once. Our varieties ripen in a stagger, and in a slow year the later ones need more time on the tree — we would rather pause than send people into rows that are not worth picking. That is what happened last season: we picked into mid-September, waited, and opened again for a weekend in early October once the late varieties came on. It is not the usual shape of a season, but it does happen, and it is always the apples deciding rather than us. If we ever do it again we will say so on the website and in The Cider Press, the same way we announce opening day.
When is the orchard least crowded?
The last couple of hours before closing (3:00 to 4:30 PM) are usually calm, and arriving right at 9:00 AM gives you a quiet orchard for the first hour before it fills up. Late morning, roughly 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, is the peak. We are open Saturdays for the rest of the season, and a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday. We can never guarantee it — a perfect autumn day brings everyone up the hill at once.
Why is the farm closed on weekdays?
Our staff uses those days to repair the damage from the previous weekend, prune branches that have grown into the rows, and prepare for the following weekend. For the rest of the 2026 season we pick on Saturdays, with a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday, and with 10 acres of trees there is always room.
What is the best day and time for a smaller crowd?
We are open Saturdays for the rest of the season, and a Sunday only when we announce that Sunday, so the choice is really about the hour rather than the day. The smallest crowds are in the first hour after we open at 9:00 AM, and again after 2:00 PM. On a quiet morning you also stand a better chance of meeting Chris, our apple farmer, if she is not out tending to something urgent.
Should we come early in the season or later?
<p>Neither is better — they are different, and it comes down to which apples you want. September usually brings Jonathan, Empire and Gala. Gala is sweet and mild and tends to be the children’s favorite; Empire is crisp and juicy; Jonathan is sweet-tart and bold. Fuji and Golden Delicious usually follow from September into October, and Pippin comes last in October — Pippin is our classic pie apple, so if you are baking it is worth coming later for. Good fresh-eating apples turn up across the whole season, so you are not choosing between eating and baking, only between varieties. Whenever you come there is a mix on the ground, because the apples on one tree do not all ripen at once — some are ready at the start and others come on over the following weekends. Two other things worth knowing: the orchard is a full green canopy from mid-September and the leaves do not turn until late October, and the first hour after we open at 9:00 AM is comfortably the quietest part of any day. Exact timing varies with the year and the weather, so check the homepage or The Cider Press newsletter the week before, or email us and we will tell you where we stand.</p>
How can I know in advance if you'll be open on a particular Saturday?
<p>We can confirm a Saturday only a few days ahead, typically by the Monday or Tuesday before. Our ability to open depends on how busy the previous weekends were, the rate at which the apples are sizing and ripening, and any weather that might knock fruit off the trees. The best way to stay informed is to check the website the week before your planned visit and again the morning of your trip, and to sign up for The Cider Press newsletter on our website.</p>
Are you open the weekend of September 12 and 13?
We were closed that weekend — Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. Opening weekend brought a much bigger crowd than we expected and the fruit that was ready went home with it, and what was left on the trees needed more days to size up and to build its sugars. We are back open from Saturday, September 19, and then every Saturday for the rest of the season, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Pricing & Admission

How much does it cost?
Admission is $5 per person for everyone over 5 — children 5 and under are free with a paying adult. Picking bags are separate at $20 each and hold about 6–7 pounds of apples, roughly a dozen medium apples. Only one bag needs to be purchased per group, so the rest of your party can walk the rows, taste the varieties and help pick for just the price of admission. Extra bags are available at the gate if you want more apples than one holds.
Are kids free?
Yes! Children 5 and under enter free of charge with a paying adult. Everyone over 5 pays the $5 admission.
How big are the U-Pick bags?
Each bag holds approximately 6–7 pounds of apples, which is about a dozen medium-sized apples.
Does everyone in my group need to buy a bag?
No — only one bag needs to be purchased per group. Everyone over 5 pays the $5 admission, and then your whole party can share a single $20 bag while everyone walks the rows, tastes the varieties, and helps pick. Most of our groups do exactly that. If you would like more apples than one bag holds, extra bags are available at the gate.
Do you offer group discounts?
No group rate is available. Admission is $5 per person for everyone over 5, and picking bags are $20 each. Bags are priced per bag rather than per person, so your group buys however many bags you want to fill rather than one per person.
Do you offer discounts for veterans, military, or first responders?
We are not offering a veteran, first responder, or active military discount this season. We are sorry to disappoint anyone who was hoping for one, and we are grateful for your service. Admission is $5 per person for everyone over 5. Children 5 and under are free with a paying adult, and picking bags are $20 each. Only one bag needs to be bought per group, so the rest of your party can walk the rows, taste the varieties and help pick for just the price of admission.
Do you offer presale tickets for apple picking?
No, we do not offer presale. Apple picking is first come, first served.

Apple Varieties

What apple varieties do you grow?
We grow 7 varieties: Gravenstein (tart, complex and aromatic — our top pick for cider, sauce and baking, late August), Jonathan (sweet-tart and bold — great fresh, in salads, and for baking, September), Empire (crisp, juicy and sweet — pies, fresh eating and snacking, September), Gala (sweet and mild — the kids' favorite for snacking, September), Fuji (honey-sweet, crunchy and dense — excellent fresh, snacking and in salads, September into October), Golden Delicious (mellow, sweet and buttery — applesauce, salads and fresh eating, September into October), and Pippin (tart, firm and complex — pies, sauces and baking, October).
When are Gravensteins ready?
Gravensteins ripen first, typically in late August. The Gravenstein block is small — just two short rows — and our regulars tend to clear it quickly, so please treat a Gravenstein weekend as a bonus rather than the reason to make the drive. The main harvest, with the varieties we grow in real volume, follows in September.
What apples are best for pies?
Pippin is our classic pie apple — tart, firm and complex, so it holds its shape and does not turn to mush. Empire is the other strong pie choice, and Gravenstein, Jonathan and Golden Delicious all bake well. Many bakers mix varieties for the best results.
What apples are best for eating fresh?
Gala (sweet and mild) and Fuji (honey-sweet and crunchy) are our best fresh-eating apples — Gala is usually the kids' favorite. Jonathan, Empire and Golden Delicious are all excellent fresh too, and Jonathan and Fuji hold up especially well sliced into salads.
What apples are best for cider?
Gravenstein apples are our top pick for cider — they are tart, complex, and aromatic. Many cider makers also blend in sweeter varieties like Fuji for balance.
Which varieties are available when?
Ripening roughly follows this schedule: Gravenstein (late August), then Jonathan, Empire and Gala (September), then Fuji and Golden Delicious (September into October), and finally Pippin (October). Exact dates vary by year and weather.
Will there be Gravenstein preview weekends this year?
Not this year, and we are sorry — we know the Gravensteins have a devoted following. They ripened on an odd cadence this season and never came into the condition our Gravenstein pickers rightly expect, so rather than announce preview weekends and disappoint people who made the drive for them, we are not running them this year. The last few mild winters are part of the story: Gravensteins need a proper stretch of winter cold to set a clean, even crop, and they have not been getting it. The long-range outlook for this coming winter is finally pointing colder, and a real deep freeze is exactly what resets the trees' cycle. The main U-Pick harvest is going ahead as usual — Jonathan, Empire, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious and Pippin all follow in September and October.
Why are Gravenstein apples not available this season?
Mild winters over the past few years caused the flower cycle for Gravensteins to stagger, resulting in about half the crop over-ripening on the tree while the rest were still growing. There was no real harvest window for Gravensteins this season. A few may come into decent shape at the very start of the season, but it is hard to know until we get there, and it is never the reason to make the drive. A proper deep freeze in winter would reset the trees’ cycle and help stabilize the crop for future seasons.
When will specific apple varieties be ripe?
<p>Ripening roughly follows this schedule: Gravenstein (late August), then Jonathan, Empire and Gala (September), then Fuji and Golden Delicious (September into October), and finally Pippin (October). Exact dates vary by year and weather. Not all the apples on each tree of a specific variety ripen at the same time. Some apples will be ripe on opening day, and others on the same trees will ripen over the coming weeks, weekend to weekend. It is best to ask a staff member which rows to visit to find the ripest apples on the day you are there.</p>
When will specific apple varieties be ripe?
Not all the apples on each tree of a specific variety ripen at the same time. Some apples will be ripe on opening day, and others on the same trees will ripen over the coming weeks, weekend to weekend. It is best to ask a staff member which rows to visit to find the ripest apples on the day you are there.
Which apples are sweetest with the least tartness?
Fuji is our sweetest apple with the least tartness. Gala and Golden Delicious are also sweet options. Jonathan is one of our tartest varieties, so skip it if you want sweetness without tartness.
When will Fuji apples be ripe and ready to pick?
There are sometimes early Fujis, but most Fujis won't be properly sized up or ripe until the last week of September or the first week of October. Early Fujis tend to get picked clean quickly during U-Pick days, so if you are specifically looking for Fuji apples, later in the season is your best bet.

Policies & Amenities

Can I bring my dog?
Yes! We are dog-friendly. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. We provide waste bags and water bowls around the orchard.
Is the orchard stroller-friendly?
Yes! Our wide orchard rows easily accommodate strollers and wagons. The trellis system keeps trees at a reachable height, making it great for families with young children.
Do you use pesticides or chemicals?
No. We grow our apples without chemicals. Our orchard is chemical-free, so you can feel good about what you're picking.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and water. Picking bags are sold at the gate, so there is no need to bring your own containers. Shaded picnic tables are available if you would like to bring a lunch.
Are there picnic tables or places to sit?
Yes, we have picnic tables available for visitors. Feel free to bring a lunch and enjoy the orchard setting.
Do you sell food or drinks on site?
Yes! At our own booth we have cold apple cider, cold water, and farm and apple-themed goods including our Cleanpunk apple soaps. Savage Bee'ches joins us with their honey and is our apple cider vendor this season. We also often see Julian barbecue, a lemonade stand and a much-loved Mexican food truck — those come as their own schedules allow, so treat them as a happy bonus rather than a plan. There are shaded picnic tables if you would rather bring a basket of your own.
Can I count on the food truck being there on a particular day?
The food trucks run their own schedules and don't inform us when they will or will not be there, so we can't promise them on any particular weekend. Treat them as a happy bonus rather than a plan. There are many great places to eat or get takeout in Julian and on the way to Julian.
Which food vendors will be at the farm this season?
Two are confirmed for this season. Savage Bee’ches joins us with their honey and is our apple cider vendor. Victor brings his lemonade, churros and nachos — Saturdays are our busiest day and the churros and nachos sometimes sell out well before closing, so come early if you have your heart set on them. Other food trucks visit as well, but we are not always told in advance which ones will come or on which weekends, so treat anyone beyond those two as a happy bonus rather than a plan. If you would rather bring your own, we have shaded picnic tables — and Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel is a good stop for sandwiches on the way up.
Do you sell firewood?
Yes, we sell applewood firewood and smoking wood. Ask at the farm stand during your visit.
Do we need a ladder, or is the fruit too high for children to reach?
No ladders needed — that is the whole point of trellis growing. Our trees are trained on trellises so the fruit hangs at arm's height, which means children can pick their own and nobody has to climb or strain. The rows are labeled by variety, so you always know what you are picking.
How do you announce mid-season closures if the harvest pauses?
We don't schedule pauses in advance — they happen when the trees need time to catch up, and we often know only ten days or so ahead ourselves. The website is always the first place we post any closure. If you are planning a visit and want to check on current conditions, we welcome you to email us the week before your visit and we will give you an exact update on where we stand.
Can I bring a photographer to take pictures during my visit?
Yes, you're welcome to hire a photographer and bring them along. Your photographer pays regular admission, same as any other guest. We can't hold, close, or reserve any part of the orchard — we're open to the public that day and the rows stay open to everyone. We ask that you not ask other guests to move, wait, or step out of the shot, since everybody bought the same morning you did. In practice, the orchard is large with long rows, and most folks are looking down at their own baskets rather than at you. If you want the quietest rows, arrive right at 9:00 AM when we open.
Do you offer field trips or group educational programs?
We don't have a formal field trip program, and we don't book school, homeschool or scout groups — it is the same first come, first served rule we keep for everybody. Our season is short and every hand is needed on the days we can open, so there is nobody free to run a program alongside the picking. What that means is simpler than booking: bring your group during our open hours, pay admission and your bag at the gate, and pick alongside everyone else. If you would like calmer rows, arrive right at 9:00 AM — the first hour is the quietest part of the day. Young pickers are always welcome in the orchard.
Do you offer field trips or group educational programs?
We do not offer group or field trip experiences. We have a very short season and must focus on staffing during this period. We do welcome groups of many sizes on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like a less trafficked experience for your group, arrive right at 9:00 AM — the first hour is comfortably the quietest part of the day. On a quiet morning you also stand a better chance of asking if Chris, our lead farmer, is available for a short Q&A and apple picking demonstration, though we cannot commit to her availability as competing priorities in the orchard are relentless.
Can a large group buy just one bag and share it?
We ask that large groups do not buy a single bag and then snack their way through the orchard. It is not respectful or ethical, and losses like that are what put these unique experiences out of business. Each group should purchase bags according to how much they intend to pick.
Can a Girl Scout troop visit the farm?
Yes, we welcome Girl Scout troops during our u-pick harvests. We do not have a formal program with dedicated time for an extended farmer interaction, since our harvest season is very short and we must focus on harvest tasks to keep the orchard open. That said, if you ask any staff member about Chris (our lead farmer) when you arrive, she will make time if at all possible, depending on her competing priorities that day.
Will the orchard be open if it rains?
Light to moderate rain does not close the orchard. We only close the gates when lightning strikes are a threat or when rain is so heavy that mud becomes a danger to guests. There are no covered areas in the orchard, so we encourage you to bring a poncho or a rain jacket—they keep your hands free for picking and they will not catch on the branches as you move down the rows. If you would rather bring an umbrella, please be mindful of it around the trees. Our fruit hangs at arm’s height on the trellises, and it is easy to knock good apples to the ground on the way down a row without noticing.
Can I bring my cat to the orchard?
A cat on a leash or in a carrier is okay. We encourage you not to bring the cat out unrestrained at any time. The orchard is large and an unrestrained cat could trigger reactive dogs or cause other safety issues faster than staff could respond.
Are there restrooms at the farm?
Yes. We have hand washing stations and handicap-accessible restrooms on site, along with portable facilities.
Do you offer orchard tours?
We do not offer tour options at this time, though it is something we are considering for future harvests.
Can I ask Chris the lead farmer questions about the orchard?
Yes. When you check in at the gate, ask if Chris is available. If she is, she will field some orchard-related questions for you. We cannot promise her time, since the orchard has a way of making other plans.

About the Farm

How big is the orchard?
Volcan Valley Apple Farm sits on 10 scenic acres with over 7,000 trellis-grown apple trees and 7 varieties.
What is trellis growing?
Our trees are grown on a modern trellis system, which trains them along wires at a reachable height. This makes picking easy for all ages — no ladders needed — and allows us to grow more trees per acre for a better harvest.
Who owns the farm?
Volcan Valley Apple Farm is run by Chris Wood-Laidlaw. The orchard was established in 1996 and Chris farms its 10 acres today—seven apple varieties on a trellis system that keeps the fruit low enough to pick without a ladder, grown without chemicals.
How old is the farm?
The orchard was established in 1996, making it nearly 30 years old. Chris Wood-Laidlaw farms it today.
How can I find out if you'll have apples available on a particular weekend?
Sign up for The Cider Press newsletter on the website homepage, or check the homepage often. We update week to week on how the harvest and yield are looking, since availability depends on guest traffic over the preceding weekends.
How do I stay updated about when you are open?
The best way to get updates is by joining our newsletter, 'The Cider Press,' on our website at volcanvalleyapple.farm. We confirm the coming Saturday on the banner at the top of the website and in The Cider Press each week.
What does the orchard look like in mid-September?
In mid-September you'll walk into a full green canopy with fruit on the trees and long rows. The leaves don't start going until late October. The photos on our website and social media that show guests during picking season are taken in mid-September onward, so they show the real thing — that's what you'll see.
What happens to the apples that fall on the ground?
Fallen apples (we call them grounders) have a few uses. If they are in good shape, a cidery makes hard cider from them — fermentation removes anything that might have come from the ground. The ones that are too bird eaten or buggy are mow-mulched so that the boron and other nutrients return to the ground and nourish the trees in the following seasons. Coupled with the microorganism-rich compost teas and mycorrhizae that we inject into the irrigation system, those nutrients are unlocked as they compost, keeping the soil biology healthy and the roots connected.
Can I speak with Chris, the farm owner, during my visit?
Chris makes time for visitors when she is able, depending on competing orchard priorities that day. If you would like to ask if she is available, mention your interest to a staff member at the gate. Arriving during quieter hours — the first hour after we open at 9:00 AM or after 2:00 PM — gives you a better chance of catching her, since those are the times she is more likely to be free from urgent orchard tasks.

Contact & Directions

Where is the farm located?
We are at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036. That is 2.4 miles north of downtown Julian, near Menghini Winery.
How do I get there from San Diego?
From San Diego, take I-8 East to Highway 79 North toward Julian. Continue through Julian and we are 2.4 miles north of downtown on Julian Orchards Drive, near Menghini Winery. The drive is about 60–75 minutes from central San Diego.
What is your phone number?
You can reach us at (760) 823-8822.
What is your email address?
You can email us at harvest@volcanvalleyapple.farm.
How do I get to the farm from Los Angeles, Orange County, or Riverside?
Come down I-15 South and then cut east toward Julian. We are at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive, 2.4 miles north of downtown Julian, near Menghini Winery. It is a long drive but a pretty one, and our Plan Your Trip page lays out the whole route with stops worth making on the way, including Old Town Temecula and Bates Nut Farm.
How do I get there from Oceanside or North County?
Take Highway 78 East and follow it toward Julian. We are at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive, 2.4 miles north of downtown Julian, near Menghini Winery. Our Plan Your Trip page has the full run with good stops along the way, including Mission San Luis Rey and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Is there a less winding route if someone in the car gets carsick?
Yes. The mountain roads into Julian are winding, and if motion sickness is a concern we suggest the longer route via Ramona on Highway 78 rather than the shorter climb.

Shop & Products

What soaps do you sell?
Our artisan apple soaps are handcrafted with Cleanpunk Farms. Available scents: Jonathan Red (warm apple and cinnamon), Empire Blush (floral apple and rose), Orchard Blossom (fresh blossoms and green apple), Harvest Gold (honey and spiced apple), and Autumn Spice (clove, nutmeg, and baked apple). You will find them at our own booth at the orchard during U-Pick season. We are not selling them online at the moment.
Can I sign up for a newsletter?
Yes! We publish “The Cider Press” newsletter with season updates, recipes, and farm news. You can sign up on our website in the Newsletter section.
Do you offer gift cards?
We do not offer gift cards for the orchard. However, we accept all credit cards, including Visa-style gift cards that you can purchase online and at many grocery stores. Those cards are a good option if you're looking to gift someone a U-Pick experience.
Do you sell pre-picked apples by the bushel or in bulk?
We do not offer pre-picked apples by the bushel. Later in the season, we offer pre-picked 6–7 pound bags at the gate depending on the crop.

More Questions

Which apples are the sweetest? Do you have sweet ones that aren't tart?
<p>Fuji is our sweetest apple and also our least tart — honey-sweet, very crunchy, and about as far from sour as we grow. Gala and Golden Delicious come next: Gala is sweet and mild and tends to be the children's favorite, and Golden Delicious is mellow, sweet and buttery. Empire sits in the middle — crisp and juicy, with a bit more balance. If you do not like tart apples, our three tartest are Jonathan, Pippin and Gravenstein; Jonathan reads as sweet-tart rather than sour, but it is not the one to fill a bag with if sweetness is what you are after. Sweetness also varies apple to apple, because the fruit on one tree does not all ripen at once — so start with the free samples at the gate before you buy a bag, and ask a farm hand which rows are picking best that morning.</p>

Still deciding? Plan your drive to the orchard · See the seven apple varieties we grow