If you frequent the farmers markets, you’ve probably seen Mercier Orchards selling their imperfectly delicious, local apples. This family-run orchard was born 70 years ago, and now has 300 acres of which 80 percent are apples. Fall is prime time to visit the orchard, where you can u-pick from more than 50 varieties, taste hard cider in their winery and purchase artisan products in their market. We talked with Tim Mercier, son of the original owner Bill Mercier, about apple season on the orchard.
How has the orchard changed over the 70 years?
In the early years we primarily grew just apples and shipped 50-70 percent to other areas of the country. Our market was only open two months out of the year. Now we have changed from just a small apple deal to where we are today. Not only are we open year-round, but we grow apples, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, sweet cherries, blackberries, nectarines, and plums.
What apples are typically available the longest at Mercier?
Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji and Pink Lady apples are available the longest, because we have the largest supply of them.
New at Mercier is the fruit winery, where guests can taste a variety of wines by the flight. What can guests expect on a visit?
We do make some fruit wines out of blackberry, peach and apples, but our signature is hard apple cider. When guests visit the winery, they can expect a friendly, knowledgeable staff there to greet them and help them through their wine tasting experience. We offer tastings of the wine by flights and the ability to purchase the wines in the winery.
There are so many varieties of apples- what have you seen grow the best at Mercier?
While we grow several varieties, some are better suited to our part of the country like: Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Fuji, Crispin, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Cameo and Rome.
Do you have a special variety that is unique to the farm?
We have a variety called Splendor that comes in October. It is not a very pretty apple but very crisp and sweet. It has an excellent flavor that people enjoy and is unique to the farm and our part of the country.
Let's talk apple picking. Are there any other best practices for apple picking?
Come wearing a good pair of close-toed shoes. Pickers need to handle the apples carefully, and try not to drop the apples because they bruise easily. To pick: reach and take hold of the apple firmly give a twist and pull.
Is there a difference between the flavor of apples based on the part of the tree that they are picked from?
Fruit matures quicker in the sun than in the shade, therefore, the fruit will ripen quicker on the top and outside of the tree, but there is not any difference in flavor when at the same stage of development.
Why do you only allow certain apple varieties to be picked on certain days, even when the other trees still have plenty of apples?
Apples do not mature at the same time. Once the apple reaches the proper stage of maturity for harvest, the apple will continue to sweeten and taste better in the refrigerator. So when you come to the orchard and you see a row of Pink Lady apples next to a row of Gala apples, the Pink Lady apples will not be ready until 90 days after the Gala. We have certain trees labeled to pick each day because the fruit will not be ready, nor will it continue to ripen after picking.
Go Visit Mercier Orchards:
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
8660 Blue Ridge Drive
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
*Mercier Orchards will also make an appearance for the first time at the Avondale Estates Farmers Market this Sunday, October 5.
Open year-round:
Monday-Sunday: 7AM-7PM
Closed New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas
*Apple U-pick is available only on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Last fall I visited Mercier Orchards in mid-October to pick apples. You can read about my blog post (which also has a few other fun Blue Ridge Georgia spots) here. I do have to admit, I picked apples that weren't ready (as I mention in this blog post) but now I will heed Tim's warning!
