If you live in Southwest Virginia, here is a guide to nearby pick-your-own apple orchards. Did your favorite farm not make this list? Comment or message me and I’ll keep adding to make this directory as comprehensive as I can.
Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain Trail
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434 977-1833
http://www.cartermountainorchard.com
From September through November, it’s all about apples with varieties such as York, Stayman, Fuji, Jonagold and Granny Smith. Hayrides, wine tastings, pumpkins, apple butter, cider, cider doughnuts and apple pie also available.
Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. until Nov. 4, with later opening and earlier closing times phasing in until last day of the season, December 22.
Chiles Peach Orchard
1351 Greenwood Road
Crozet, VA 22932
434 823-1583
From September through November pick apples like York, Braeburn, Fuji, Crispin and Pink Lady. Wagon rides, pancake breakfasts, kids activities, pick-your-own pumpkins, apple butter, cider, cider doughnuts and apple pie also available.
Hours: Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. until Nov. 4, with later opening and earlier closing times phasing in until last day of the season, December 17.
Doe Creek Farm
412 Doe Creek Farm Road
Pembroke, VA 24136
540 922-2705
22 varieties of dwarf trees in an easy-to-access and well-marked orchard. Apple syrup, apple butter, preserves and fresh-pressed cider for sale. Wine tastings on Sunday afternoons.
Hours: Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., end of August through end of October
Gross’s Orchard
6817 Wheats Valley Rd.
Bedford, VA 24523
540 586-2436
Fall apples begin Sept. 1. You pick or you select. Other produce, jams, jellies, country ham and bacon and apple cider available in farm store. Apple Harvest Festival: 3rd Saturday in October.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., open year round
Johnson’s Orchards
2122 Sheep Creek Road
Bedford, VA 24523
540 586-3707
The farm’s more than 200 acres have 7,500 apple trees with almost 200 different varieties. Select from on-farm apples (you can see the orchard but not pick) in the old packing house, which also doubles as a tasting room for Peaks of Otter Winery. Also available: trails for hiking and farm animals for petting.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily, August-October
Levering Orchard
163 Levering Lane
Ararat, VA 24053
276 755-3593.
http://www.leveringorchard.com
Now owned by its third-generation, Levering is best known for its pick-your-own cherries. Fall apples begin in mid-September and continue until Thanksgiving.
Hours: Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Windy Hill Orchards
176 Windy Hill Lane
Ararat, VA 24053
276 692-8156
http://www.windyhillorchards.com
Fall apples begin in August. Look for Mutsu, Fuji, Braeburn, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Granny Smith and Staymans in the orchards. Raw cider, cider vinegar, jams, apple butter and dried apples for sale in the shed. Cider is pressed every Thursday and the public is invited to come and watch.
Hours: Fall and Winter 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
