APPLES ~ APPLES
APPLES GONE FOR 2020
Often during the early months of our season, people ask, "Where are all the apples?" Apples grow and ripen on a fairly strict schedule; however, it's all weather dependent. 2018 was disasterous due to a late freeze. 2019, hot, dry and about 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule. So if you're visiting early in the season (May-late June), don't expect to see crates of apples, or even be able to pick anything just yet. Mother Nature is a strict and sometimes fickle old lady and doesn't make exceptions. If you aren't certain when your favorite apple will be ready for picking, check out the availability below. If you're still not sure, email us. We're happy to help you plan your visit, but please understand when we can only predict what is happening a couple of days in advance.
IN SEASON, apples are available at the store or for U-Pick (a favorite for the kids). Just purchase a bag at the store and you're on your way.
IN SEASON, apples are available at the store or for U-Pick (a favorite for the kids). Just purchase a bag at the store and you're on your way.
Heirloom Apples
The children of some distant day, thus to some aged man shall say, “Who planted this old apple tree?” — William Cullen Bryant
At the Orchard at Altapass, the answer to that question is “The Clinchfield Railroad.” Creighton Lee Calhoun, noted pomologist and author of Old Southern Apples, defines heirloom apples as those varieties that were grown prior to the time when “groceries” became the main source of fruit for most people, which he believes was the late 1920’s. Many of our apple trees were planted by the original owners, making them heirlooms in every sense of the word.
The geography of the Orchard is well suited for apple growing. Located on a southeast-facing slope, it is frost free most of the time. On crisp spring nights when the blossoms are susceptible to frost, cold air slides down the mountain, where it is replaced at the Orchard by warm air. The rising sun likewise helps to protect the young fruit by quickly warming the slope at sunrise.
The earliest apple to ripen is the Yellow Transparent in June, the latest, York. And in between bushels of the over 25 varieties available. Some of the favorites:
At the Orchard at Altapass, the answer to that question is “The Clinchfield Railroad.” Creighton Lee Calhoun, noted pomologist and author of Old Southern Apples, defines heirloom apples as those varieties that were grown prior to the time when “groceries” became the main source of fruit for most people, which he believes was the late 1920’s. Many of our apple trees were planted by the original owners, making them heirlooms in every sense of the word.
The geography of the Orchard is well suited for apple growing. Located on a southeast-facing slope, it is frost free most of the time. On crisp spring nights when the blossoms are susceptible to frost, cold air slides down the mountain, where it is replaced at the Orchard by warm air. The rising sun likewise helps to protect the young fruit by quickly warming the slope at sunrise.
The earliest apple to ripen is the Yellow Transparent in June, the latest, York. And in between bushels of the over 25 varieties available. Some of the favorites:
A Word About Our Apples
"Ugly apples" are caused by minimal use of chemicals. We are a 501c3 public charity dedicated to preserving the land and the life that exists on that land, which includes bees and butterflies. We tolerate surface damage to avoid harm to these innocent critters. The flavor of the apples remains if not enhanced by the lack of heavy chemicals. In addition to preserving our Orchard, we are surrounded by 3,000 acres of forest land forever protected from development. We are mindful of a larger responsibility.
Our Varieties
| VARIETY | AVAILABILITY | FLAVOR | USES | NOTES |
 Aunt Rachel LIMITED |
early Aug |
semi-tart | eating~cooking |
Apples red with dark stripes~ flesh is white, firm~juicy |
 Early Blaze |
late July | semi-tart | eating~baking |
cross between Jonathan & Grimes Golden~ smooth cherry red~crisp |
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Sept | sweet | eating~cooking | medium w/maroon-red blush over light green |
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Sept | sweet | eating | cross between Kidd's Orange Red & Golden Delicious |
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Aug | sharp-sweet | eating~baking~cooking | mild yet sharper than Golden Delicious~stores well |
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Sept-Oct | sweet | eating~baking | golden w/red blush~crisp |
 Grimes Golden |
Sept | sweet |
eating~cooking~juice~ apple butter |
parent to Golden Delicious~golden color |
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Sept | sweet-sour | eating~cooking | green-yellow w/crimson, brindled color~crisp |
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mid July | tart | applesauce~baking | smooth red, slightly conical~does not keep well |
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early Oct | sweet | eating~cooking | large~red skin~stores well |
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early Oct | semi-sweet | eating | large~greenish yellow w/red blush~juicy, tender |
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late July | tart | applesauce | small greenish |
 McIntosh |
Aug-Sept | sweet | eating~applesauce |
whitish yellow to greenish blushed w/red~firm, juicy~ crisp |
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Sept | sweet | eating~cooking | deep red skin~does not store well |
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Sept-Oct | sweet | eating~cooking | med to large w/golden brown russeted skin~stores well |
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Sept-Oct | tart/sweet | eating~baking | medium-grained~light yellow w/green~crisp |
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late Sept | mildly sweet | baking~drying | large, uniquely oblong w/deep black-red skin~crisp |
 Stayman Winesap |
Sept-Oct | tart~crunchy | eating~sauces~baking |
red conical w/crimson stripes~ stores well |
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Aug-Sept | sweet | eating~cooking~baking | medium size~mottled skin w/red stripes |
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Sept-Oct | sweet | eating~baking | wine color w/gold russeting at stem~stores weeks |
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late July | sweet | eating~cooking | aka Summer Queen~conical w/red & green skin |
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late Sept | tart | cooking~drying | large~only fair eating |
 York (Imperial) |
Sept-Oct | tart-sweet |
baking~cooking~applesauce~ cider~jams |
sweetens over time~stores extremely well |
Florina LIMITED
Gala
Ginger Gold
Golden Delicious
Jonagold
June
King Luscious
Limbertwig LIMITED
Lodi (Yellow Transparent)
Mother LIMITED
Razor Russet LIMITED
Roxbury Russet LIMITED
Sheep Nose LIMITED
Summer Rambo
Virginia Beauty
William's Favorite LIMITED
Wolf River LIMITED