The farms of the Apple Hill Growers Association are known for amazing apple crops, but the area produces much more, including wine grapes, stone fruit and a variety of vegetables. Two crops that might come as a surprise are lavender and blueberries and at this time of year purple and blue blooms transform the fields in the Sierra foothills.
The Apple Hill Growers celebrate both crops at this month’s Lavender Blue Harvest Days on June 22 & 23 and June 29 & 30. These sunny June weekends are the perfect time to visit Apple Hill farms for u-pick experiences, lavender and blueberry treats, crafts, artisan products and more.
The lavender harvest will be on full display at Bluestone Meadow Farm. Guests will be able to cut and make their own lavender bouquets, wreaths, wands or critters. An array of locally made products, including essential oils, soaps and lotions, will be available for sale. Families can enjoy a wander through the Lavender Labyrinth and Kid Zone.
Other area farms will share the lavender blue love with special events on both weekends:
24Carrot Farm: The farm stand will feature lavender plants, organic blueberries and blueberry plants as well as fresh baked goods.
Delfino Farms & Edio Vineyards: Joan’s Apple Bakery will be selling strawberry rhubarb, strawberry, cherry and blueberry desserts. Edio Vineyards will be open for wine tastings by reservation.
Fenton Herriot Vineyards: The tasting room will feature a “Bottle Your Own” event from noon to 4 p.m.
Grandpa’s Cellar: The farm will be serving Grandpa’s Classic coffee flight, a lavender flight, lavender lemonade slushees, lavender blackberry peach crisps (regular & gluten free), honey lavender cookies and lavender caramel apples.
Harris Family Farm: Irene’s Kitchen will be serving lavender mini donuts, lavender lemonade and a variety of lavender and blueberry pastries. Live music too.
Hidden Star Camino: Enjoy both hard and fresh sparkling blueberry-lavender cider, blueberry-lavender cider donuts and raised donuts and blueberry crisps.
Jack Russell Farm Brewery & Winery: Special weekend menu includes lavender-crusted goat cheese and fig pizza, blueberry ale and hard lavender lemonade slushies.
Lava Cap Winery: Enjoy a glass of wine in their lavender covered garden. Live music on both days.
Pine-o-Mine Ranch: Enjoy live music, shakes, snacks and their signature blueberry-lavender lemon cocktail or mocktail.
Rainbow Camino Ridge: Open for you-pick on both weekends.
Rucksack Cellars: Mention Lavender Days and get a two-for-one tasting flight.
Smokey Ridge Farmstand & Winery: The tasting room will provide its signature lavender sangria and flower bouquets for purchase.
Starfield Vineyard: The tasting room will be open by reservation only.
Wofford Acres Vineyards: The tasting room is offering a 15% discount on all wine purchases with the mention of Lavender Blue Days. Reservations are recommended.
Reservations for Bluestone Meadow are recommended and can easily be made online. Admission is $5 per car. This year, the harvest days will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information and a map of the area visit applehill.com and follow @applehillofficial on Facebook and Instagram.
