I grew up in a small town in Northern California that was a pretty good place to grow up (minus the political climate which, yikes y’all) and has turned into a great place to go back to visit. One of my favorite parts of visiting–aside from seeing my family don’t yell at me–is going to Apple Hill. Apple Hill is a region just up the hill from my hometown that has apple orchards, berry patches, Christmas tree farms, and vineyards. Growing up right next to so many fresh fruits (and vegetables, there are also tons of vegetables) kind of ruined me in some ways. I am super picky about my apples and apple-related products as a result.
My second stop when I’m visiting my family, after In-N-Out it’s the best don’t @ me, is always Apple Hill. I love driving up a back road so I can see all the vineyards and orchards and pulling into my favorite orchard’s shop. Some of my must-haves from Apple Hill are apples (duh), apple cider donuts (these are different from apple donuts which I learned while attending an apple festival in Pennsylvania and becoming very disappointed), real apple cider, and any of the locally-made and grown jams or salsas. If you haven’t had apple cider straight from an orchard I’m telling you right now that you haven’t actually had apple cider, you’ve had apple juice that’s been rebranded for fall. Other necessary stops in Apple Hill include the fudge shop (because chocolate) and any number of local vineyards (or the one local brewery but I’m more of a wine girl).
Since I moved away Apple Hill has become much more of wine country than it used to be–or maybe I just had no idea because I couldn’t drink. When I was in the area for the holidays we went wine tasting and discovered that there is now a whole wine trail through the region! Though I must admit I was disappointed to find that the wineries all give you the same sticker to show you’ve visited instead of having their own unique stamps (if you’re reading this Apple Hill Association please change this, I won’t charge you for the idea!). These wineries are gorgeous. Apple Hill is in the foothills–almost the mountains–so the tasting rooms usually overlook acres and acres of vines over rolling hills. They make good wine that for some reason is not priced like most smaller vineyards (aka the expensive bottles are around $40 and I’d say the average is $20) which is super nice.
While we were doing our mini wine tour my parents even joined a wine club at one of the wineries–well my dad joined it and then “blamed” it on my mom when anyone asked–and I am beyond jealous of the activities at the winery they joined! A month or so after I visited they sent me pictures of the winery hosting a blend-your-own wine event. They got to do a tasting of wine straight from the barrel, learn from a vintner how to choose which grapes to blend, and then create their own custom blend to take home.
It’s almost enough to make me want to move back.
xoxo,
J
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