Deardorff Orchards and Vineyards

Since we have lived in Minnesota we have had the pleasure of doing our fall apple picking at Deardorff Orchards in Waconia, MN. The first year we were here we actually did try a different place, but they charged you to get into the orchard, charged for the hayride and then proceeded to charge an arm and a leg for apples. Really folks? I don't care if I picked it off the tree. It's still just an apple. And since I had to exert my energy to ride the wagon, reach up and pick the thing off the tree and transport it to the store myself shouldn't that apple cost me less? Alas, we left that place promptly and found Deardorff.

Deardorff is a family-run business down a lovely dirt road in Waconia, MN. On the way to the orchard you get breathtaking views of Lake Waconia, as well as all the beautiful hilly farmland and woods that surround the area. If you are retentive about your car getting dirty, this is not the place for you. You will kick up quite a dust cloud on the way in and the way out. Parking is sometimes tight, but don't be fooled by all the cars parked on the road. We have always found a spot to squeeze into in the lot or up by the barn.

A few years ago the orchard also started offering wines made from the grapes they grow in the vineyard. For 5 dollars you can taste 4 wines or for 10 dollars you can taste all of their wines. And you get to take home a lovely glass etched with the words "Parley Lake", which is the name under which their wines are bottled. We are starting quite a collection of these glasses. My favorite wine this year was Apples and Vines, which won a Gold medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. It's a lovely white, not too sweet, nice and crisp. Next year, we're going to buy a bottle and partake of the wine as we pick apples :)

Be sure to check the picking schedule before you go to make sure you will be able to pick the type of apples you want. It changes every week. Once there get on the FREE hayride out to the apples of your choice or borrow a little red wagon to pull your little ones if you would rather walk to the trees. There is also always a bonfire going and a great petting zoo with horses, goats, llamas and rabbits for the kids to pet. Visit the store on your way out and try some of their offerings. They have yummy cider donuts, but don't leave this till last, as the donuts sell out before that last hayride at 4:30 and then you are left wanting. This happened to me once. It was very, very sad.