Our Deer Club Members

Leaping Tall Fences in a Single Bound

When we pulled out our cherry orchard in 2018 and planted cider apples and wine grapes, we put up an impregnable 7.5-foot-high fence around the upper part of our farm to keep out deer and elk, who love apples and grapes. It was an expensive, long ordeal, and the gate periodically doesn’t want to open, but we felt it was necessary to protect our grapes and apples from the animals.

How is the fence working? Glad you asked. This photo is the latest indication that it’s rather imperfect — but whodunit? What critter clambered over, bent it down and tore up the ground into mud?

We put a couple of wildlife cameras on trees aiming at the spot, so we hope to have an answer soon. Our guess is Bigfoot. And, boy, if we get a photo of a Bigfoot family climbing over our fence, you’ll hear about it.

We knew of course that the fence was more suggestive than definitive: Nick was driving down the road the other evening and saw five deer inside our impregnable deer fence. He thinks they were laughing at us.

This deer, captured on one of our wildlife cameras, led a scouting party to the Kristof Farms cider apple orchard.

She’s followed immediately by her leaping deer comrade — caught in mid-air!

Actually, the problems started earlier, for when we had finally completed the fence in 2019 we discovered that we had enclosed some deer inside the fence. Inside! We invited over some neighbors, got sound-makers and chased them out. Briefly.

We’re not entirely sure how the deer get in, but one clue: When our dog Connie, Kristof Farm’s Chief Security Officer, has corralled some deer inside the orchard, they have run toward the fence and leaped over it.

When Sheryl was going around the vineyard recently, she saw this deer inside the fence running away from her.

This deer didn’t want to say hello to Sheryl and ran off before Sheryl could sign her up to the Deer Cider Club.

Fortunately, the fence has kept the elk out. There is a herd of about 100 elk nearby, and a herd that size could pretty much wipe out the trellises that hold up our vines and some of our apples. But for whatever reason, we haven’t had any break-ins from elk.

This elk was eating wild grass, as it should, just outside Kristof Farms deer fence.

As for the bent-down fence, while we’re hoping it will turn out to be Bigfoot, we’re guessing that it’s a family of bears that is fond of our apples and grapes. Last year they knocked over the fence. We don’t have any fermented grapes they can find, which is just as well. Periodically in wine country, a bear will get ahold of a tank of fermenting grapes and will get very drunk.

If this bear looks eager, it’s because he’s heading toward our orchard.

If you’re thinking of the holidays, do check out what the bears, elk and deer can’t get ahold of: Our ciders. The Oregonian ran a lovely review of our Pinot Noir cider, a co-ferment of our cider and our Pinot Noir grape skins, and noted that it was perfect with turkey. We like to think so – whether real turkey or vegetarian turkey. Frankly, the same is true of our Orchard Cider (a bit dry) and our Reserve Cider (a bit sweeter). All three have won awards, and we’re proud of them and of our incredible cider maker, Christine Bauman of Bauman’s Cider.

Kristof Farms Conversation Salon 001 is coming on Nov. 30! As a reminder, that’s an online Zoom conversation with Cider+Conversation Club members and the Kristof Family. For our wonderful members, please mark that evening for the inaugural Salon. For those who want to join the Cider+Conversation Club you can sign up here before Nov. 21.

If you’re interested in ordering cider, there’s free shipping for a case or more. Check it out.