Huber’s Orchard and Winery: How does the farm make its cider?
Carl Huber Jr. is the cider man and shows how Huber’s Orchard and Winery makes cider from up to 10 varieties of apples – all grown on their farm.
Matt Stone, Louisville Courier Journal
There’s nothing better than a visit to an apple orchard during harvest season. Many orchards in the Louisville area allow you to pick fruit straight from the tree. If you don’t like picking but still want to get involved, many orchards also sell freshly picked apples at their markets, as well as a variety of other fall vegetables, fruits, and more.
Here are 11 places near Louisville that offer apples and other fall fruits and treats for you to pick. Happy fall everyone!
WHAT: The orchard offers apples for picking and freshly picked apples from the market. There is also freshly pressed apple and apple cherry cider, hand-dipped caramel apples, frozen persimmon pulp, fruits, vegetables, Amish cinnamon breakfast rolls and breads, jams, jellies, chrysanthemums and more.
WHERE: 9104 IN-37, Bedford, Indiana
WHEN: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Open all year round. Closed on major holidays.
MORE INFORMATION: The Applacres Retail Store offers freshly washed and packaged apples in many varieties year-round. 812-279-9721; applacres.net.
WHAT: Eckert’s Orchard has been growing apples for over 100 years and seven generations. They offer nine varieties of apples, both fresh picked and pick-your-own: Zestar, Winesap, Crimson Crisp, Arkansas Black, Fuji, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Honeycrisp. The market is stocked with homegrown blackberries, tree-ripened peaches, rhubarb, asparagus corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, half runner beans, squash, beets, fresh pressed apple cider, freshly made caramel apples, baked goods, salsa, apple butter, BBQ sauce and much more.
WHERE: 1396 Pinkard Pike, Versailles, Kentucky
WHEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the end of October, picking is possible from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Reservations are available. Playground admission is $5 for children ages 2-13, $13 for children ages 14 and older (includes access to the pick-your-own field). A day-of field access pass allows visitors unlimited access to the picking areas. 800-745-0513; eckerts.com/versailles.
WHAT: Pick-your-own apple season begins Saturday, September 7. There are 23 varieties of apples to choose from including Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Stellar, Razor Russet, Liberty, Cameo Rome and more. Pear season also begins around the second weekend of September and pumpkin season begins the third week of September. Evans Orchard and Cider Mill’s Store offers homemade jams and jellies, apple cider, Kentucky Proud Food, local honey, home decor, fresh baked goods and more. The play area includes a new ropes course, giant slides, corn pit, jumping pillows, swings, duck races, pedal car race track, cornhole and slide.
WHERE: 198 Stone Road, Georgetown, Kentucky
WHEN: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am to 5pm; Sunday, 12pm to 5pm
MORE INFORMATION: Visit the website for the calendar of harvest dates. Harvest dates are approximate. Also visit the playground and farm (open Tuesday through Sunday), gift shop, market and cafe. Admission to the playground is $10 for children, $5 for adults and free for children under 2. 502-863-2255; evansorchard.com.
WHAT: The farmers market features apples, corn, tomatoes, beans, summer squash and more.
WHERE: 1029 Vigo Road, Shelbyville
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 1pm-5pm. The cafe/bakery is open for lunch, Monday-Saturday, 11am-2pm.
MORE INFORMATION: gallreinfarms.com.
WHAT: Hidden Hollow Orchard offers more than 30 varieties of apples, including heirloom and pick-your-own varieties, as well as a picnic area. This orchard uses as few pesticides as possible for the Ohio Valley.
WHERE: 3200 Apple Hill Road, Louisville (see website for directions).
WHEN: Open daily from 10:00 am until everyone has left and the apples are all gone.
MORE INFORMATION: Apples are $7 for a 10-pound bag, a smaller bag for $5, three apples for a dollar, and $25 for a bushel (4-10 pound bags), with special pricing for groups. For a list of apple varieties with ripening dates, call the website; 502-767-5245 or 502-243-4196; hiddenholloworchard.com or email [email protected].
WHAT: Huber’s Orchard offers 15 pick-your-own apple varieties including Lodi, Ginger Gold, Jonathan, Gala, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mutzu, Stayman Winesap, Granny Smith, Fuji, Goldrush and more. Plus freshly harvested apple cider, vegetables, pumpkins (pick-your-own, September and October) and cut-your-own Christmas trees (Thanksgiving weekend through December 23).
WHERE: 19816 Huber Road, Starlight, Ind.
WHEN: Sunday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: The winery produces Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Seyval Blanc and many more varieties. The distillery also produces bourbon, rye, brandy, gin, rum and vodka. Huber also has a market and bakery. Call ahead to confirm harvest conditions: 812-923-9813; visithubers.com; 812-923-9463, ext. 2.
Farmers Markets in the Louisville Area
WHAT: At farmers markets in the Louisville area, apples have already been picked, some of them packaged and ready for sale.
WHERE: Throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
WHEN: Most markets are open on Saturdays and there are some that are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays throughout October.
MORE INFORMATION: For a complete list of farmers markets by county, visit kyproud.com. For a list of farmers markets in Indiana, visit farmersmarketonline.com/fm/Indiana.htm.
WHAT: The roadside farm has been family owned and operated for six generations and offers fresh, home-grown fruit and vegetables for sale at a roadside stall from July to November.
WHERE: 5832 River Road, Hebron, Kentucky
WHEN: The apples are ready for picking at the end of August. Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Picking times may vary.
MORE INFORMATION: Call ahead to confirm hours and item availability as conditions may change daily. Cash, check or Venmo. 859-689-5229; mcglassonfarms.com.
WHAT: Mulberry Orchard offers 23 varieties of apples as well as vegetables, fruits, local raw honey, jellies, butters, jams, relishes, salsas, cider, unique gift items, eggs, beef, chicken, pork, lamb, cider and other local offerings.
WHERE: 1330 Mulberry Pike, Shelbyville, Kentucky
WHEN: Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The apples are ready for harvest in mid-August.
MORE INFORMATION: Take a hayride through the orchard, visit the animals, play in the kids’ area and shop at the market. Lunch and treats are served at the Mulberry Kitchen Tuesday through Sunday. 502-655-2633; mulberryorchardky.com.
WHAT: Apples, vegetables, CBD products and more.
WHERE: 2580 Highway 42, Bedford, Kentucky
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 1pm-6pm
MORE INFORMATION: Apples should be in stock by mid-September, call before you come. 502-255-3607. facebook.com/BrayRoadsideMarket; pharmroadsidemarket.com.
WHAT: Featuring more than 40 varieties of apples, including Gala, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Golden and Red Delicious, and Pink Lady. Pick-your-own only at Reed Valley Orchards. Market apples, pears and blackberries are available at Stepping Stone Farm. A partnership with Wise Bird Cider allows the store to stock shelves with a variety of Kentucky Proud ciders. Sip on a cider while you’re at the farm or purchase a bottle to take home.
WHERE: Reed Valley Orchard, 239 Lail Lane; Stepping Stone Farm, 1674 Cynthiana Road; both in Paris, Kentucky
WHEN: Upick at Reeds, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm; Market and playground at Stepping Stone Farm, Thursdays to Saturdays and Mondays from 10am to 6pm, Sundays from 12pm to 6pm
MORE INFORMATION: The playground at Stepping Stone Farm is open with a corn maze, bean maze, hayride, corn pit, 10- and 20-foot slides, haystack and dirt mountain (admission $5). 859-658-6060; steppingstonefarmky.com.
Reach news anchor Gege Reed at [email protected].
