By Kevin Revolinski | Photo by Travel Wisconsin
While fall foliage is not quite ready to make its appearance around the Midwest just yet, the crisp reds, yellows and greens of Wisconsin-grown apples are nearing peak season. Our state counts upwards of 300 apple orchards and more than 4,000 acres of apple trees. Combined, these growers produce more than 260 different varieties of fresh-eating, cider and baking apples. Honeycrisp and the legion of new cultivars are everywhere now, but you can also find a plethora of “lost” or heirloom apples. A trip to an orchard is one of the great joys of fall in the Badger State.
PYO: PICK YOUR OWN
Typically, the type of apples available as a pick-your-own option are the most popular and abundant styles such as Honeycrisp, Gala or Cortland, not special heirloom or smaller crop varieties. The DIY approach is not only a great experience, but it also saves you a bit on the price per pound while also saving the orchard some extra labor during peak harvest. PYO doesn’t last all season, so check with the orchard before your visit to confirm its availability.
Orchards will provide instructions and advice on how to recognize ripe apples, but generally you need to lift and gently twist the apple to avoid damaging the tree and the apple itself. The stem should remain attached. Never just pull or shake the branches.
WHEN TO GO
While the height of the season is mid-September to mid-October, summer apples may arrive in early to mid-August, while others are still coming off the trees in late October, and orchard stores might remain open as late as December. Some of the late season apples are good for “wintering,” as they keep well in a cool dark place and still offer a fresh taste as late as the early days of spring.
Check each orchard for current hours as they may vary based on weather and harvest.
DIFFERENT APPLES FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES
Not all apples have the same purpose in this life. A crabapple that might make you squint when you bite into it, may bring an excellent flavor element to a cider blend. While some apples are simply destined for pies or apple sauce, others won’t survive the car ride home if you’re snacking.
For baking, tart or sour apples are best, especially those that keep their form and texture in the oven so you actually see the pieces in the pie. Example varieties include Granny Smith or Braeburn.
For making apple sauce, look for flesh that breaks down smoothly when cooked and offers a tart and sweet balance. Try Golden Delicious or McIntosh.
For snacking, personal tastes will vary, with some preferring sweetness and others mouthwatering tartness. Juiciness and a good crunchy texture are usually preferred to softer flesh. Favorites include Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji and SweeTango.
APPLE ORCHARD HOTSPOTS
While apple orchards can be found in nearly every corner of the state, there are several hotspots with clusters of orchards:
- DOOR COUNTY: With Lake Michigan waters on both sides, the peninsula enjoys a microclimate well suited not just for their famous cherries, but also for apples.
- GAYS MILLS: Tucked into Kickapoo River Valley in the Driftless Area, the Apple Capital of Wisconsin lies beneath a ridge which alone features four of its six orchards plus a pie bakery in a five-mile stretch of WI-171.
- BAYFIELD PENINSULA: Another area stabilized by Great Lakes water, several orchards and farm stores call Bayfield home, and the town hosts an annual apple festival, this year taking place October 3-5.
CHECK OUT THESE ORCHARDS
NORTHWEST
- Erickson Orchard & Country Store – Bayfield
Offers 17 varieties and an abundance of apple products, a cider blend of five varieties, and a hard cider they make with Iron River’s White Winter Winery. ericksonorchard.com - Blue Vista Farm – Bayfield
Specializing in berries in summer, the apples take over in fall. Pick your own or visit the store full of goodies. bluevistafarm.com - Smith Apple Farm – Shell Lake
The orchard offers nearly 20 varieties, plus cider donuts, turnovers, pies, cookies and a pumpkin patch. smithapplefarm.com - Connell’s Family Orchard – Chippewa Falls
Come for pre-picked or PYO, plus cider donuts, an assortment of apple products, a kids’ play area with a bounce house and a corn maze. connellsfamilyorchard.com
NORTHEAST
- Seaquist Orchards – Sister Bay
Famous for their cherries and pies, they also grow 25 varieties of apples, and their orchard store and bakery are must-visits. seaquistorchards.com - Oneida Nation Apple Orchard – Oneida
They grow 20+ varieties, available in the store or PYO. Their caramel apples are popular. facebook.com/OneidaApples - Misty Ridge Orchard – Hobart
Open on fall weekends, they sell pre-picked apples, cider, caramel apples and pies made from scratch, and fresh cider donuts. Onsite fun includes a corn maze and giant swings. facebook.com/MistyRidgeOrchard
SOUTHWEST
- Sunrise Orchards – Gays Mills
Their warehouse-sized shop is an impressive site with large bins of 21+ types of apples and a slew of apple products, and their legendary cider donuts from the onsite bakery are often still warm. They remain open into December. sunriseapples.com - 1913 Kickapoo Orchard – Gays Mills
The orchard features 40+ varieties including the popular ones but also many uncommon apples: Kickapoo Spice, Winter Banana and Creston. The bakery is excellent and known for sweet apple “pizzas.” - Ecker’s Apple Farm – Trempealeau
They offer PYO and grow 14 cultivars including Honeycrisp, Gala and CrimsonCrisp. An onsite taproom serves craft beers and hard ciders, and their Hootenanny is a ticketed bluegrass and apple fest they host in October. eckersapplefarm.com
SOUTH CENTRAL
- Ski-Hi Fruit Farm – Baraboo
Right outside Devil’s Lake State Park, they feature 30+ varieties, PYO, and a large store full of apple products, including adult beverages, cider donuts and more. skihifruitfarm.com - Door Creek Orchard – Cottage Grove
Just outside Madison, this family orchard grows a staggering 90+ varieties, including many rare finds along with Honeycrisp and other popular cultivars. They offer PYO as well as excellent cider blends and donuts. doorcreekorchard.com - Bittersweet Blessings Farm – Deerfield
They offer 20+ heirloom varieties, cider, and cider donuts, and host Deerfield Apple Fest and an apple pie competition on September 15. bittersweetblessingsfarm.com
SOUTHEAST
- Apple Holler – Sturtevant
Just off I-94 minutes from the Illinois border, the cultivars include Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady and Snow Sweet. Red Barn Restaurant onsite serves a brunch menu highlighting apples in the dishes. appleholler.com - Appleland Farm Market – Fredonia
The family-owned market grows 17 varieties of apples and offers PYO apples and pumpkins. applelandorchard.com - Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Co. – Colgate
Open weekends with 35+ varieties plus PYO, orchard tours, fresh pressed cider and pies. peckandbushel.com
Comments are closed.