Autumn in Southeastern Ontario can only mean one thing—apple season! The Bay of Quinte boasts plenty of orchards—many of which have been community staples for decades—and they each offer a unique experience to accompany your fall pickin’s. Break out your plaid flannel or coziest sweater and soak up fall at one (or all) of the BoQ’s orchards!
APPLE GATES ORCHARD
728 Stockdale Rd., Trenton
Apple Gates Orchard was bought in 1974, and the following year, Rosemary and Bob Gates began selling their apples at the Front Street Farmers’ Market. Since, the Gates’ have been picking apple varieties such as Royal Galas, Spys and Spartans, for the Quinte West Community. Be sure to grab some local maple syrup or honey, made by their sons, Bobbie and Joey.
Roadside market
CHEER FARMS
365 Main St, Brighton
Cheer Farms started small as a family orchard that soon became a staple booth at Brighton’s annual Applefest, where they would sell their produce.
When given the opportunity to buy more land in 2010, owners Dave and Loraine moved their family out to the country to open a roadside market of their own. Though Cheer Farms is now a full-fledged operation, family remains at the heart of this orchard.
Roadside market
CREWS COUNTRY MARKET
1055-1063 County Rd 40, Trenton
Third-generation family-owned Crews Country Market plants, grows, and picks 80% of everything they sell.
Not only do they sell Ontario-grown classics like peaches, tomatoes, and asparagus, but they also grow swiss chard and kale. Be sure to visit in the fall, as Crews was also voted Best of the Bay’s Best Pumpkin Patch.
Roadside market
CRICKLEWOOD FARM
14953 County Rd 2, Brighton
After becoming an orchard in the early 1940s, Cricklewood Farm has become a fall staple with it’s can’t-be-missed corn mazes (voted Best of the Bay’s Best Corn Maze!) With their seasonal offerings and pumpkins, Cricklewood is truly a one-stop-shop for locally grown produce (they offer over 60 apple varieties throughout the season) and family fun.
Pick-your-own and market
DUNNETT ORCHARDS AND APPLE MEADOWS
143 Dundas St, Brighton
Dunnett Orchards and Apple Meadows grow orchard crisp apples—as the name suggests—but be sure to also stop by for their local honey, cider, and maple syrup. Dunnett Orchards is known for their lesser-grown apple varieties (Tolman’s Sweet, Golden Russett and Crispin, to name a few) so be sure to pay them a visit if you’re looking to expand your taste in apples. Their farm also boasts a view of Lake Ontario you won’t want to miss; it’s the perfect backdrop while you pick your own fruit.
Pick-your-own
GRILLS ORCHARDS
886 Grills Rd, Quinte West
Named Best of the Bay’s Best Orchard, Grills suggests visiting the farm as an opportunity to reconnect with the surrounding locale. Their wagon rides around the orchard (where you’ll find 15 varieties of apples) are fun for the whole family and the perfect way to spend a sunny fall day. Grills is more than just an orchard, it’s an experience.
Pick-your-own and market
MCCAW FARMS
1071 Harrington Rd, Frankford
McCaw Farms doesn’t take all the credit for the quality of their produce—first and foremost, they thank the rich soils on the farm for lending a hand. Beyond their exceptional produce offering they sell fresh-cut flowers, too. Visit them at the Belleville Farmers’ Market!
Farmers market vendor
SPRING MEADOW ORCHARDS
10143 Loyalist Pkwy, Napanee
Spring Meadow Orchards is the spot for fun fall treats, like their famous apple cider donuts or delicious candy apples!
After a wagon ride around the farm, be sure to visit their gorgeous horses, who are always happy to receive some love from guests!
They grow all of the classic varieties, like Macintosh, Gala, Honey Crisp and Cortland, so you’ll be sure to get a bushel of your favourite.
Pick-your-own and market
WYNN FARMS
8191 Hwy 33, Greater Napanee
If you’re a big fan of all things fall, a visit to Wynn Farms is in order!
Beyond their pick-your-own apples and pumpkin patch, they offer themed corn mazes for youngsters and a moonlight corn maze event for those who aren’t afraid of the dark!
Pick-your-own
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