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Apple Hill is the name of the Apple Hill Growers Association, [1] and refers to the 55 ranches located in the Sierra Mountain foothills in El Dorado County, California, in and around the community of Camino. Since its formation in the 1960s, Apple Hill has become California's largest concentration of apple growers as well as a significant tourist destination noted for its rural ambiance, apple products including pies and cider, and other produce and attractions. [2] [3]
In the early 1960s, a pear blight encouraged growers in and around Camino, CA to switch their production to apples. [4] Gene Bolster, who was an apple grower; Dick Bethell, El Dorado county's pomology specialist and farm advisor; Ed Delfino, the county's agricultural commissioner; and Bob Tuck, a retired army office, organized what is known today as the Apple Hill Growers Association. [5]
The team started in mid-June 1964. They had finished preparing everything in August for the first press picnic. The picnic consisted of each Apple Hill family hosting a meal for some of the press members. Many of these press members became close friends. The growers also produced 50,000 paper litter bags that were passed out at the state fair. They offered 2 pounds of free apples to anybody who brought a bag with them on an Apple Hill visit. [5]
Apple Hill consisted of 16 original ranches, eventually growing to 55 ranches including Christmas tree growers, and wineries, vineyards, a microbrewery, and a spa. [5] In 2001, more than 9,300 tons of apples and 2,494 tons of pears were produced by local growers. [4]
A Rhode Island Greening at Larsen Ranch is believed to be the oldest apple tree in El Dorado County. [5]
Placerville is a city in and the county seat of El Dorado County, California. The population was 10,747 as of the 2020 census, up from 10,389 as of the 2010 census. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Fuji apple is an apple cultivar developed by growers at Tohoku Research Station (農林省園芸試験場東北支場) in Fujisaki, Aomori, Japan, in the late 1930s, and brought to market in 1962. It originated as a cross between two American apple varieties—the Red Delicious and old Virginia Ralls Janet apples. According to the US Apple Association website it is one of the nine most popular apple cultivars in the United States. Its name is derived from the first part of the town where it was developed: Fujisaki.
Camino is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California, and, per the 2010 census, has a population of 1,750. According to the USGS, it lies at an elevation of 3133 feet, but the elevation actually ranges between 3,000 and 3,500 feet. Being well more than half a mile above sea level, it snows several times per year in the community. Nearby cities and towns include Pollock Pines, Placerville, Diamond Springs, El Dorado, Grizzly Flats, Somerset, Coloma, Garden Valley, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, and Lotus.
The El Dorado AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in El Dorado County, California, United States. Wine grape growers in the region produce a large diversity of varietals, notable varietals are Zinfandel, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah and there are significant plantings of Rhône varietals. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, vineyards are found primarily at elevations between 600 feet (183 m) and 3,500 feet (1,067 m) above sea level and some of the historic and revered vineyards are planted above 2,000 feet (610 m) elevation. The region benefits from the cool breezes that come off the mountains and push hot air off the vines and down to the valley. The soils of the region are magma based with high levels of acidity.
The California Shenandoah Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes portions of Amador County and El Dorado County, California, United States. It is a sub-region of the Sierra Foothills AVA, and close in proximity to the Fiddletown AVA. The region was settled by non-indigenous peoples during the California Gold Rush in the nineteenth century, and settlers in the region began planting grapevines and producing wine soon thereafter. In the 1970s, Sutter Home Winery began bottling varietal Zinfandel wines made from Shenandoah Valley grapes, and in 1983 the region became a designated AVA. The most important grape variety in the region is Zinfandel, with Primitivo and Barbera close behind.
The Fair Play AVA is an American Viticultural Area in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is entirely contained within the boundaries of the El Dorado AVA and the Sierra Foothills AVA. The boundaries of the Fair Play AVA include rolling hills at elevations between 2,000 feet (610 m) and 3,000 feet (914 m) above sea level, making it the California appellation with the second highest average elevation after the Squaw Valley-Miramonte appellation. The most popular wine grape variety is Zinfandel, although varieties native to southern France and Italy are gaining in popularity.
Chicago Park is a residential and unincorporated historic agricultural community in Nevada County, California. It is located along Highway 174, with its center at the intersection of Mt. Olive Road. The neighborhood gets its name from its founding residents, who came from Chicago to California in the late 1800s to grow fruit, which was often shipped back to Illinois for consumption. Chicago Park is about 9 miles southeast of Grass Valley and about 3 miles north of Colfax.
Sly Park Dam is located near Pollock Pines, California in the United States. The dam impounds Sly Park Creek and Hazel Creek, natural tributaries of the North Fork Cosumnes River, to form a 41,000 acre-foot (51,000 dam3), 650-acre (260 ha) reservoir called Jenkinson Lake. It was constructed as part of the American River Division of the Central Valley Project to provide irrigation water to a portion of El Dorado County, California. The dam was begun in May 1953, with clearing operations, and was completed in mid 1955.
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards is a winery in Sonoma County, California that specializes in sparkling wines, as well as Pinot noir and Chardonnay wine. It was the first sparkling wine producer in Carneros. It was also the first to plant Champagne grape clones in the region.
Cecil O. De Loach Jr. is a California grape-grower and winemaker in the Russian River Valley AVA who has contributed to the reputation and notoriety of Sonoma County viticulture.
Auburn Road Vineyards is a winery in Pilesgrove Township in Salem County, New Jersey. The vineyard was first planted in 2004, and opened to the public in 2007. Auburn Road has 19 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 4,200 cases of wine per year. The winery is named for road near where it is located.
Willow Creek Winery is a winery in West Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey. Formerly a produce farm, the vineyard was first planted in 2005, and opened to the public in 2012. Willow Creek has 40 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 6,000 cases of wine per year. The winery has recently purchased Legates Farm Market and is cultivating an additional 68 acres under vine. The winery is named for a large willow tree near the owner's residence, and the Pond Creek, a stream that borders the farm.
Bellview Winery is a winery in the Landisville section of Buena in Atlantic County, New Jersey. A family produce farm since 1914, the vineyard was first planted in 2000, and opened to the public in 2001. Bellview has 40 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 8,000 cases of wine per year. The farm was named by the great-grandfather of the current owner, and is of Italian origin.
Cava Winery & Vineyard is a winery in Hardyston Township in Sussex County, New Jersey. The vineyard was first planted in 2005, and opened to the public in 2008. Cava has 5 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 3000 cases of wine per year. The winery is named for the Italian word cava which means "cave," reflecting the mining heritage of Sussex County.
Cedarvale Winery is a winery in Logan Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey. A family produce farm since 1905, the vineyard was first planted in 2004, and opened to the public in 2008. Cedarvale has 8 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 2,500 cases of wine per year. The winery is named for the cedar swamps bordering the farm.
Chestnut Run Farm is a winery in Pilesgrove Township in Salem County, New Jersey that produces Fuji apple and Asian pear wines. The apple and pear trees were first planted in 1986 as part of a specialty produce farm. Chestnut Run began sales of its wine in 2007, and opened a tasting room in 2012. Chestnut Run has 5 acres of fruit trees under cultivation, and produces 700 cases of wine per year. The winery is named for the Chestnut Run, a stream that borders the farm.
Four Sisters Winery at Matarazzo Farm is a winery in White Township in Warren County, New Jersey. A family produce farm since 1921, the vineyard was first planted in 1981, and opened to the public in 1984. It is the third oldest winery in New Jersey. Four Sisters has 8 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 5,000 cases of wine per year. The winery is so named because its owners have four daughters.
William Heritage Winery is a winery in the Mullica Hill section of Harrison Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey. A family produce farm since 1853, the vineyard was first planted in 1998, and opened to the public in 2002. Heritage is one of the larger winegrowers in New Jersey, having 40 acres of grapes under cultivation, and producing 13,000 cases of wine per year. The winery is named after the family that owns it.
DiBella Winery is a winery in Woolwich Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey. A family produce and grain farm since 1925, the vineyard was first planted in 2002. DiBella began sales of its wine in 2010, and opened a tasting room in 2012. DiBella Winery has 4 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 250 cases of wine per year. The winery is named after the family that owns it.
DiMatteo Vineyards is a winery located in Hammonton in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Formerly a family produce farm, the vineyard was first planted in 2000, and opened to the public in 2002. In 2010, the winery moved its headquarters to a new location in Hammonton. DiMatteo has 14 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 1,500 cases of wine per year. The winery is named after the family that owns it.