Located in the heart of Virginia apple country, we grow many popular varieties at Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard. Our favorites include Ginger Gold, Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Rome, Stayman, Winesap, York, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
Our apple harvest typically begins in late July and extends through mid-November, when you’re invited to step into the orchard and pick your own! We also offer ready-picked apples year-round, including at our farmers market pop-ups in Charlottesville.
Apple Profiles
Generally, tart apples are best for cooking, while sweeter apples are preferred for snacking and for salads. Softer apples do well in apple butter or applesauce, while firm apples that keep their shape are excellent for pies and tarts. See the chart below for the flavor profile and our use recommendations for the varieties of apples available at our orchards.
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Virginia Apple Facts
- Each year, Virginia produces an average of 5–6 million bushels of apples.
- Virginia apples are destined for markets in 15 states and more than 20 countries.
- 70% of apples grown in Virginia are sold for processing and made into popular products such as applesauce, apple juice, apple butter, slices, and cider.
- Local apple varieties require 90 to 175 growing days from spring bloom to fall harvest.
- Depending on the type of rootstock, there are between 100 and 500 apple trees in each acre of Virginia orchards
- The Albemarle Pippin became Queen Victoria’s favorite variety. As a result, it was the only apple exempted from British import tax!
Tips for Visiting During Peak Apple-Picking Season
Each October brings thousands of visitors up Carter Mountain. Whether you’re coming for the first time or a seasoned pro, we have helpful trips for your next visit.
Visitor Guidelines
Be prepared for your pick-your-own trip to Carter Mountain or Chiles Peach Orchard! Take a look at our ground rules, suggestions, and advice for visiting one of our venues.
Tips for Storing Apples
- Handle carefully. Bruised apples do not store well.
- Wash right before use. Pre-washed apples won’t last as long.
- Cold apples = crisp apples. Apples ripen 8–10 times faster at room temperature, so refrigerate them to keep them fresh longer!
- Prevent the flesh from browning by dipping peeled apples in lemon juice or saltwater.
- Pick the right storage companions. Apples produce the hormone ethylene, which speeds up the ripening process for certain sensitive fruits and vegetables. Oranges, cucumbers, and blueberries won’t be affected, while peaches, pears, and bananas won’t last as long paired with apples!
- To prevent absorbing other food flavors, store in a ventilated plastic bag or crisper drawer set to low humidity.
Apple Nutrition Facts
An apple a day… Apples are one of the most versatile foods around! They can be a delicious part of entrees, desserts, and side dishes, or a satisfying snack all on their own. The next time you’re peckish, reach for a Virginia apple to enjoy some crisp, healthy sweetness!
Apples are naturally low in calories and high in fiber. Nutritionists and scientists also say that apples can reduce some of our body’s day-to-day health risks. Preventative properties, including plentiful antioxidants, give us yet more reasons to love America’s favorite fruit!
Nutritional Information
- No cholesterol, fat, or sodium.
- Lower cholesterol. Antioxidant phytonutrients reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, helping prevent cardiovascular disease.
- Strong bones. Apples contain the essential trace element, boron, which has been shown to strengthen bones—a good defense against osteoporosis.
- High in fiber. With about 5 grams of fiber, an apple has almost as much fiber as a serving of bran cereal (almost one-fifth of the recommended daily intake of fiber)!
- Vitamin- and nutrient-rich. Apples contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C, niacin, and potassium.
- Low in calories. With the average apple having only 95 calories, apples are the perfect portable snack!
Quick Conversion Tips
To make a 9 inch apple pie, use 6-8 medium apples!
“Peck” bag
= 1/4 bushel
= ~2 gallons
= ~12 lbs
= 16-20 apples
3 medium apples
= 1 pound of apples
= 3 cups of diced apples
= 2.75 cups of sliced apples
1 pound apples
= 4 small apples
= 3 medium apples
= 2 large apples
= 1.5 cups applesauce
Try some of our favorite apple recipes!
Unbelievably Outrageous Apple Pie Recipes
So many of us have fond apple pie memories, gathering together with family or friends at holiday dinners to enjoy a warm homemade treat. Flaky crust, gooey apples, and sweet-smelling…
What Can I Do with a Lot of Apples?
Strolling through the apple orchard is one of our favorite things to do each year. Time seems to stand still, and we do what we can to make these special…
Our Favorite Recipes for Cooking with Apple Butter
Apple butter is a beloved fall pantry staple. You can find multiple varieties in our Country Store and available for ordering online, or make it yourself from fresh-picked apples. However…
Do You Have What it Takes to Grow Virginia Apples?
In this episode of Virginia Farming, Sweet Rose Farm in Highland County introduces us to organic apple production and the work necessary to deliver a dozen unique varieties to market. Carter Mountain Orchard, overlooking Charlottesville, takes us into the field to talk about their focus on agritourism and shipping apples around the world.
