For more than 45 years, Valley Orchard in Cherry Valley has been giving people a reason to celebrate fall with a variety of apples, other seasonal fruits, bakery items and home decor. Each year, the orchard introduces new apple varieties.
“It gives people a reason to keep coming back. Many people say visiting the orchard has become a family tradition,” says Brandon Bergersen, who works at the orchard with his brother, Bret, and their parents, Raoul and Jodie, who are the original owners.
Newcomers this year include Summerset, which is a crisp, sweet eating apple made from Honeycrisp with Fuji varieties. Ludacrisp is a firm, crunchy apple. Rosalee is a firm, sweet and tart apple with a good shelf life. Sweet Zinger comes along at the end of September and is a yellow sweet apple that’s good for eating or baking.
Valley Orchard is a 35-acre family-owned business with about 5,000 trees that produce more than 30 apple varieties. Visitors have a choice of picking their own apples or purchasing pre-picked apples in the store. The orchard also has a bakery, kids’ play area, props for photos, pumpkins and mums, and floral gardens.
The orchard makes its own 100% pure apple cider with no additives. Apple cider slushies are a new offering this year. The bakery also sells apple cider doughnuts, apple pie, apple-cinnamon bread, caramel apples and fudge, as well as a variety of jams and jellies, salsas, honey, squash, pumpkins, gourds and more. Fall decorations, linens, candles and other unique seasonal items for the home are also for sale.
The orchard is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. It closes for the season in mid-November.
Valley Orchard is dog-friendly. Pets much be leashed, socialized and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Valley Orchard is located at 811 E. State St. in Cherry Valley. Call for information at (815) 332-9696.