It’s Harvest Time!

The Big Haul of Apples and Grapes

What a nice variety of heirloom cider apples!

The harvest is a fraught time, underscoring all the uncertainties of farming. And the 2020 Labor Day fires here in Oregon left smoke that ruined some grapes that were still in the field, so farmers are always nervous about fire and smoke risk until the grapes — and apples — are picked. Thankfully, that hasn’t been an issue since 2020 – though it does make us nervous.

It’s always tricky to know exactly when to pick. One tool is measuring the Brix, a metric of sugar level and thus maturity. Sheryl brought out her refractometer, a tool to measure Brix, and joined in some recent Brix testing of grapes.

Yes, we do roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty, er, wet and slimy. Sheryl crushing grapes to test for sugar levels.

We have about a dozen varieties of apples, and we harvest most together. But we separated out our Kingston Black apples because they make an outstanding single-varietal cider. Yup, that’s a hint: In addition to our orchard blend and reserve ciders next year, look out for a Kingston Black single varietal.

Now the apple trees and grape vines alike are mostly bare, and the action turns to the cidery (at Bauman’s Cider) and winery (Elk Cove). We’re lucky to work with the best in the business, with people who not only make cider and wine that is a work of art, but who also have great values in the ways they run their businesses.

One bin all done and ready to send over for pressing! Nick, Jessica Dunham (Results Partners) and Adam Campbell (Elk Cove) at the harvest of grapes this year.

Christine Bauman Walter (Bauman Cider), who makes our tasty, award-winning cider, got some of our pinot noir grape skins literally just after pressing so she could co-ferment them with our Orchard Cider for a delicious drink we call Noir. What fun, Christine!

The cider will be ready next spring or early summer, but the wine takes longer. Our ’22 vintage will be shipped in the spring, and these grapes that have just been picked won’t be in wines sold until 2025.

If these photos inspire you, don’t worry: You can join our brand new cider club before Oct. 29, and we’ll send shipments each fall and spring, starting Nov. 1, and then you can also join a group Zoom conversation with us about…well, about whatever you want to talk about. More information about joining the cider club is here.

And for those of you who got this far, if you’re interested in the wine, send us a note and we’ll put you on our Kristof Wine pre-orders list!

And in the meantime, you might try our delicious cider. Click here to order Kristof Farms cider. Try a case, which will get you cut-rate shipping!

Reply to this email with any questions. We hope you enjoy!! <3