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Closed for 2017 Season

Posted by :Julia Prince On : December 17, 2017
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What a year at Chiles Peach Orchard! We opened earlier than ever and Hopped Into Spring, kicking off a season full of new traditions, like Orchard Jams and weekly Pancake Breakfasts, and old, like our Homemade Peach Ice Cream Days and Pancake 5k.

After a month of S’more Holiday Fun, we’re closing up shop. But don’t fear: we’ll be back at it in the Spring! ‘Til then, have a joyful holiday season, from our family to yours.

Easter Bunny at Chiles Peach Orchard

“Hopping” into a great 2017 season!

Erin & the Wildfire at Orchard Jams

Orchard Jams with Erin & the Wildfire

Pancake 5k T-shirts

Swag for our amazing 5k runners

Fire pit

Who was more stoked for the holidays: the fire, or us?

C’mon Outside, Outsiders

Posted by :Julia Prince On : April 18, 2017
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What’s all this about outsiders at the orchard? Get the outside scoop on what we have in store this season at Chiles Peach Orchard.

What is an outsider?

If you’d rather spend a day on a mountain than on a couch, you might be an outsider. If you’d rather cook up a feast with fresh fruits and veggies than order takeout, you might be an outsider. If you fill your days with adventure, experiences, and a little bit of dirt, you might be an outsider.

Ready to try something new? Maybe you aren’t sure if you’d call yourself an outsider, but you want to become one. That’s great! The orchard is a perfect place to start. We’ve got enough fruit and fresh air to quench your thirst for the outdoors—and gorgeous views to boot!

Catch you on the outside, and don’t forget to subscribe to our e-newsletter for the outside scoop!

Bonus: See if you can cross off everything on this bingo card and you’ll be a certified Outsider in no time. (Click here for a printer-friendly PDF version of the bingo card)

Bingo card for Chiles Family Orchards

Calling All Outsiders

Posted by :Julia Prince On : April 14, 2017
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Hey there, Outsiders. You may have noticed some new language around the orchards and in our marketing. Here’s the inside scoop on the “outsiders” campaign.

Get Out There and Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Get the “outside” scoop—sign up for the orchard newsletter!

From season to season, one thing remains the same—the orchards are blessed with spectacular views, homegrown fruit and fun, and sunshine for growing sweet memories with friends and family. Whether visiting the orchards to pick-your-own produce, enjoy an adult beverage on the deck, or celebrate at seasonal events, the air is fresh and the views are spectacular. The orchards are some of the best places around to kick back, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Our family of farmers, team members, and visitors are more than just outdoorsy people—we’re outsiders!

Become an Outsider

Who is an outsider? An outsider delights in exploring outdoors and relishes experiences that are out of the ordinary. An outsider relaxes out and about rather than in front of the TV. An outsider thinks outside the box and stretches outside their comfort zone.

Want to get in with the outsiders? Score a bingo on the outsiders bingo card! (Click here for a printer-friendly PDF version of the bingo card)

Bingo card for Chiles Family Orchards

Outsiders are welcome here—c’mon out!

Carter Mountain Named Best Apple Cider

Posted by :Julia Prince On : April 10, 2017
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Delish Magazine recently named Carter Mountain among the Best Spots for Apple Cider Across the Country.

Apple Cider Recipe

So what makes Carter Mountain apple cider so great? Well, we start with Virginia apples and then we add…nothing. Our apple cider is made with one simple ingredient—apples! The cider is all natural, made with a mix of apple varieties. The apple varieties change throughout the season, depending on fruit availability.

Serving Suggestions

The cider can be served cold or hot (or in one of our famous slushies!). There is no ideal temperate for heating the cider, although as hot as the tongue can take is best.

To spice up the cider for a special occasion, add cinnamon, cloves, and mulling spices. For a real kick, add some rum! There are many tasty ways to dress up our apple cider but owner Cynthia Chiles prefers it plain because, as she says, “It tastes too good by itself!”

For apple cider recipes and consumer information, visit the US Apple Association Blog.

Try These Other Great Ciders

Congratulations to our fellow farmers who were also featured in the article! We are proud to call you friends.

Chiles Peach Orchard Opens April 13 for 2017 Season

Posted by :Julia Prince On : April 6, 2017
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This winter’s wacky weather kept us on our toes but we are ready to open on April 13 with basketfuls of activities and events! C’mon out for family-friendly activities and enjoy the spring.

Here’s what to look forward to this season:

Hop Into Spring with Our Easter Event on Saturday, 4/15

Join us for a brand new event to celebrate Easter and Chiles Peach Orchard opening earlier than ever. Start the day with a pancake breakfast, let the little ones hunt for hidden eggs, and end with live music. See what else we have in store for Hop Into Spring.

Easter Egg Hunt

Pancake Breakfasts Now Served EVERY Weekend

Pancake breakfast with strawberries, sausage, and cider mimosa

Missed the pancakes at Hop Into Spring? Don’t worry, Pancake Breakfasts are now weekly at Chiles Peach Orchard! Treat yourself every Saturday and Sunday with all-you-can-eat homemade pancakes and seasonal fruit toppings.

Mark Your Calendars for Our Signature Events

Pancake 5K run in Crozet at Chiles Peach Orchard

We’re excited to carry on with our annual traditions. This year marks the 33rd celebration of Homemade Peach Orchard Days (Aug. 5-6) with the Crozet Lions Club, the 4th year of the Pancake 5k (Sept. 9), and the 6th year of our Fall Into Fun Festival (Sept. 23-24). And we’re bringing back our Orchard Jams musical series; first one’s on Friday, April 28 from 6-9pm!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for event updates.

Strawberries Anticipated Early May

Pick your own Strawberries in Crozet

Of course, we wouldn’t be an orchard without tasty fresh fruit! Pick strawberries, peaches, veggies, and more throughout the year. Make plans to pick your favorites with our fruit availability schedule.

Carter Mountain Opens March 31 for 2017 Season

Posted by :Julia Prince On : March 24, 2017
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Spring has sprung and we’re getting ready for a great year on Carter Mountain. Despite this winter’s wacky weather, we’re excited to open on March 31 (view our hours) and have basketfuls of activities and events. C’mon out!

Here’s what to look forward to this season:

Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday

carter mountain orchard donut

This is Charlottesville, after all! Celebrate Thomas Jefferson with a complimentary donut and cup of cider on April 13 and toast to the founding father alongside the US Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

6th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza

Finding Easter Eggs

On Saturday April 15, the Easter Bunny is busy hiding thousands of eggs at Carter Mountain this year! Meet the bunny, go on a hayride, and take in the early spring mountain views with plenty of age-appropriate egg hunts and activities for the little ones. Check out the FAQ on this popular Easter event.

Thursday Evening Sunset Series

Thursday Evening Sunsets Series

End your Thursdays on a high note with the 2017 Thursday Evening Sunset Series. Live music, Bold Rock hard cider, Prince Michel Wine, breathtaking views…what’s not to love?

Ready-picked and Pick Your Own Fruit

apples

Of course, we wouldn’t be an orchard without tasty fresh fruit! Ready-picked fruit is always available and come summer, visitors can pick peaches straight from the tree. Make plans to pick your own fruit with our fruit availability schedule.

Closed for the Season

Posted by :Julia Prince On : December 19, 2016
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The end of the season is upon us!

Apple Affected by Hail

Apples affected by hail don’t look as pretty, but are safe to eat!

We’ve had quite the year at Carter Mountain. From Easter Egg Hunts and visits with the Easter Bunny himself, to our Moonlight Movie Series, to a visit from Buzzfeed, you’d never know that this season’s harvest was affected by poor weather. Luckily, we still had plenty of still-delicious apples, cider, donuts, and ice cream to go around and feed record numbers.

If you’re wondering what happens at the orchard during the winter, check this article out. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2017. Thanks for a wonderful year and have a happy holiday, from our family to yours!

Carter Mountain Holiday Festivities

Posted by :Julia Prince On : December 2, 2016
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Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Carter Mountain! Pancakes, pies, and holiday supplies—there’s something for everyone! Let the kids feast on cider and donuts while you shop the local crafts, specialty foods, ornaments, toys, and more. Take family photos with Santa and his sleigh, build a gingerbread house, and enjoy Charlottesville’s spectacular views. There are plenty of activities for all ages in the coming weeks, so be sure to check our events calendar to stay up-to-date.

Breakfast with Santa

This weekend, share a delicious pancake breakfast with Santa Claus himself at Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy family photos, Christmas crafts, and gingerbread house decorating all day with plenty of hot chocolate to go around. Santa will be around between 11AM and 3PM and crafts and shopping last all day.

Holiday on the Hill

December 10–11 and December 17–18, do your holiday shopping and take home a gingerbread house decorated by your family. Santa Claus will be available for photos on Saturday and the whole weekend will be filled with samples, sales, and Christmas spirit. Don’t forget that the Prince Michel Wine Shop and Bold Rock Hard Cider Cellar are always open—Christmas isn’t just about the kids, after all!

Closed for the Season

Posted by :Franziska Matiuk On : November 21, 2016
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It’s that time again…Chiles Peach Orchard is officially closed for the season. It’s not all sad, though! Winter is a necessary part of the growing season.

It’s been a great year at Chiles. We opened a Bold Rock Tasting Room and hosted many fun events such as the Pancake 5k Race.

We can’t wait to welcome you back next spring for strawberry season. Thanks for a wonderful year and have a happy holiday, from our family to yours.

Orchards in the News 2016

Posted by :Julia Prince On : November 14, 2016
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We are feeling the love at the Orchards! From local foodies to history buff tourists, here’s what people had to say about Carter Mountain Orchard in 2016:

Where to Experience 6 Quintessential Fall Activities, Flipkey by Trip Advisor

apple orchard ladder“Hike through the acres of orchards nestled in the mountains of Virginia, and fill your sack with a variety of apples, including Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Pink Lady.”

An Apple A Day: Explore Virginia’s Orchards and Cideries this Fall, VA Foodie

Carter Mountain orchard mountain view“Don’t forget to stop by their Country Store either, where you can find tons of local goodies to bring home with you, from apple butter to fruit jams, or even just a couple slices of their famous apple pie!”

Pick Your Own Apple Orchards, HGTV

apple tree“Talk about all-American, this orchard is just a few minutes down the road from Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.”

 

Family Friendly Farms for the Season, Fredericksburg Parent

Thursday Evening Sunset Series Carter Mountain“Above all, the mountaintop offers spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a perfect and unmatched backdrop for unforgettable family photos and memories.”

Style Weekly’s Family Favorites: Favorite Day Getaways, Richmond Style Weekly (pg. 22)

Family outing carter mountain orchard“A top three day getaway for families!”

 

 

5 Festive Fall Treats for the Taste Buds in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Visit Charlottesville

carter mountain orchard donut“I start thinking about these donuts in July and I can easily finish a pack of 12 all by myself. When I leave Carter Mountain Orchard, my hands are overflowing with cookies, pies, but mostly the apple cider donuts.”

Chiles Peach Orchard got some love, too!

Preparing for Fall: 8 Companies to Reach Out to in Richmond, Ridgeline Tree

peach trees Chiles Peach Orchard“The staff is highly educated and will show you where, when, and how to pick the fruit so that it is high quality.”

 

Chiles Family Orchards ©2025
P.O. Box 229
Batesville, VA 22924
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