In 2017, Stony Creek Farm expanded the orchard to feature a diverse palate of hard cider apple varietals. These include many heritage cider apples that have been selected for their unique flavor profile.
We are pleased to partner with several cideries across Virginia to source the apples for their craft beverages. We have cold storage onsite at the farm and can work with customers to accommodate their schedule needs.
See we have in store! With a total of 34 varieties, customers can mix and match to customize their blend.
Apples are listed in order of harvest, from July through November.
Apple descriptions from Orange Pippin: https://www.orangepippin.com/
Pristine: Beautiful lemon-yellow apple with a perfect finish. This high quality apple is very productive and is a good keeper for an early apple.
MacIntosh: Typified by attractive dark red or (more often) crimson colours, and a crunchy bite, often with bright white flesh. The flavor is simple and direct, generally sweet but with refreshing acidity, and usually a hint of wine – often referred to as “vinous”.
Hewes Crab: A popular crab-apple, also widely known as Virginia Crab, and producing a high-quality cider juice.
Hyslop Crab: Good for jelly and cider. Large, 2+ inch, brilliant red or purple fruit with blue bloom. Firm yellow flesh is juicy when first ripe then rapidly becomes mealy. Subacid and astringent flavor.
Coxe’s Orange: A classic English apple, often regarded as the finest of all dessert apples… It arose in England in the 19th century as a chance seedling, and has inspired apple lovers ever since. It remains unsurpassed for its richness and complexity of flavour.
Roxbury Russet: Roxbury Russet is generally recognised to be the oldest apple variety which originated in North America, and its history can be traced back to the colonial era. It is very probably a seedling of an apple variety brought over by early settlers from Europe
Grimes Golden: Grimes Golden is crisp and sweet – however, the sweetness is richer than in Golden Delicious, and most tasters agree that Grimes Golden has the superior flavour. There’s a hint of rich spiciness in Grimes Golden which is completely absent in Golden Delicious
Ashmead Kernel: An old nondescript green russeted apple, originating in the 1700s. Ashmeads Kernel has remained popular for well over 2 centuries, and with good reason: it has a distinctive flavour which is quite different from most other varieties. The name “kernel” suggests that this variety was discovered as a chance seedling. Ashmead’s Kernel is a versatile apple, not just for eating fresh, it can also be used for salads and cooking, and it is a highly-valued apple for juicing and hard cider. Ashmead’s Kernel is also one of a very small band of apple varieties from the Old World that succeeded in the New World.
Harrison: Harrison is a well-regarded hard-cider apple. It was known throughout the eastern states in the early 19th century but subsequently fell into disuse.
Albemarle Pippin: One of the oldest American apple varieties, being well-known in the 18th century and probably raised as a seedling by early settlers on Long Island. It is best regarded as a “winter” apple. It is picked quite late in the season notably versatile apple, being excellent for eating fresh, cooking, and for juicing and hard cider.
Esopus Spitzenberg: Highly respected American apple variety… it was widely planted in the USA in the 19th century and used for both dessert and culinary purposes. The apples have an excellent flavor, which improves with storage. The flesh is a buttery dense yellow, and there is a rich sharpness which is often characteristic of high quality dessert apples. Eating a Spitzenberg is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Stayman: Although originating in Kansas, it is often associated with Virginia, where it is still quite widely grown in pick-your-own orchards.
Winesap: Winesap is a well-known American heirloom apple, and was a major commercial variety in Virginia during the 19th century. Its origins are unknown but it probably dates back to the 18th century. It can be eaten fresh but is primarily a culinary apple, also popular for juice/cider production.
Galarina: Variable reddish coloring over green-yellow, Smooth, thick, tough skin. Keeps 4+ months in excellent condition, holding flavor better than Gala.
Arkansas Black: This apple is notable for the extremely dark coloration, which becomes almost black after storage. It is thought to be a seedling of Winesap.
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