Kick Off the 2025 Apple Season with Our Organic McIntosh Apples at The Orchard!

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the start of our 2025 Apple Season at The Orchard at Meadow Lakes, and we’re kicking things off with a special "Select Pick" of our McIntosh apples on Monday, August 25, 2025. What does that mean? Our first McIntosh Apples of the 2025 season will be ready for YOU, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025!

We leave our apples on the trees for as long as we can to maximize their nutrient content and flavor, ensuring each bite is packed with the natural goodness only a sun-ripened, organic apple can offer. These apples are hand-picked, washed, and carefully chosen to ensure only the ripest, most flavorful fruit makes it to market. Depending on demand, we aim to pick fresh batches bi-weekly, so every visit to The Orchard means you’re getting apples at their absolute best, straight from the tree to your hands.

This initial Select Pick marks the start of our 2025 apple season, which will run for approximately 10 weeks - ending the first week of November with our final pick of the season, the famed 'Arkansas Black' apples.

We’ll follow up with another pick later in the week as more sections of McIntosh ripen, ensuring a steady supply of these juicy, sweet-tart apples. Whether you join us for the Select Pick of McIntosh starting Tuesday, August 26, 2025, or in the coming weeks for another favorite, you’ll be savoring the fruits of our labor - grown with love, care, and a commitment to high-altitude excellence.

Why Our McIntosh Apples Are a Must-Have

McIntosh is the perfect apple variety to dive into apple season. These beauties sport a striking red-and-green hue, with a crisp, juicy texture and a sweet-tart flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Their tender, white flesh delivers a hint of spice, making every bite a delight. Named after John McIntosh, who discovered them in Canada in the early 1800s, these apples are a timeless classic known for their versatility and rich heritage.

• Flavor Profile: Sweet with a tart edge and a subtle spiced note, ideal for snacking or cooking.

• Perfect Pairings: McIntosh shine alongside European-style cheeses like an England sharp cheddar, a creamy French brie, or an 18-month aged gouda from the Netherlands. Try them on a charcuterie board with walnuts from the Central Valley and a local honey (may we suggest Madera Queen's Honey?) for a perfect fall treat.

• Baking Magic: These apples are a dream for classic apple pies, crumbles, and homemade applesauce, softening beautifully when cooked to create a smooth, flavorful filling. They’re also fantastic for baked apples stuffed with cinnamon and brown sugar.

• What They’re Known For: McIntosh apples are celebrated for their juicy bite and are the parent of many modern apple varieties, earning them a legendary status in orchards worldwide.

  
  

Our Commitment to Organic Excellence

At The Orchard, we’re proud to grow our apples 100% organically (when possible). We only use sprays when absolutely necessary to protect our crops from the codling moth - a non-friend who will happily destroy our crops, our hopes, and our dreams (sometimes for YEARS to come), and we’re thrilled that our natural methods have kept our apples pristine and chemical-free for the sixth season in a row.

This means you’re enjoying the purest, most delicious organic McIntosh apples, grown in the heart of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, straight from our trees to your table.

Select Pick & Season Details

We’ll follow up with another McIntosh pick later in the week as more sections of the orchard ripen, and these apples will be available for purchase for approximately 2–4 weeks, giving you plenty of time to stock up.

Starting Tuesday, August 26, 2025, our 2025 apple season officially begins, with McIntosh apples available at our farm store (next to the main house) for a flat rate of $4.50 per pound (all varieties priced the same to make our organic apples accessible to everyone). Our farm stand and retail store will be open for apple purchases (juice, apple chips, pies, apples, etc.) Tuesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 2 PM, throughout the season (closed Mondays).

Craving something sweet and subtle? Our pastries and coffee (and soon, hot apple cider!) are available Thursday through Sunday from 9 AM - 3 PM. Planning a small private event? Text us at (559) 890-1022 at least 24 hours in advance to make arrangements - we’d love to host you!

What’s Next for Apple Season

Our McIntosh 'select pick' is just the start of our exciting 2025 lineup! Our full U-pick program kicks off the first week of September, with picks on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 AM - 11:30 more details coming soon. By the third week of September, we’ll be pressing our famous apple cider - keep an eye out for updates on when you can grab a jug of this seasonal favorite. After McIntosh, our Golden Delicious and Mutsu apples will be ready to harvest, each bringing its own unique flavor to the season. Stay in the loop by signing up for our newsletter for exclusive tips, tricks, and picking dates, or follow us on Instagram @meadowlakesorchard for real-time harvest updates.

Join the Fun at The Orchard at Meadow Lakes!

Apple season at The Orchard is a celebration of flavor, family, and the joy of the harvest. From the crunch of a fresh-picked McIntosh to the warm, welcoming vibe of our farm, we’re proud to create unforgettable experiences for our community. Whether you’re baking a pie, pairing apples with cheese, or simply enjoying a sunny day at the orchard, there’s something for everyone.

Share the excitement - forward this newsletter to friends and family who’d love to join us for a day of apple-picking fun. We can’t wait to see you and make this season our best yet!

Apple Joke of the Day: Why did the apple join the band?

It had the perfect core-d!

See you this weekend for pears, and next Tuesday for your favorite season of the year!