Crunch on this: the annual Wayne County Apple Tour celebrates its 20th year this fall, running the month of October and crunching it up a bit with a Tasting Weekend on Columbus Day Weekend, Friday through Monday, Oct. 6-9.
Apple lovers throughout western and central New York have long explored Wayne County to pick fresh apples, enjoy the fall colors, and enjoy a day of family fun. The tour was formalized in 1997 in this picturesque region that stretches to the shores of Lake Ontario just east of Rochester (with the county line being about a half-hour drive from the city of Rochester).
So, why all the hoopla? Well, our very own Wayne County happens to be the largest apple-producing county in New York state — and the second largest in the entire country (surpassed only by Washington).
October is the busiest month for Wayne County, as tourists flock to orchards and farm markets and attractions to pick, eat, play, and have fun, amidst the fall foliage.
“The businesses team up to showcase all we have to offer,” said Christine Worth, Wayne County’s director of tourism, noting that the adventures are family friendly as well as ideal for a date or girls’ weekend. “And who doesn’t like an apple?”
Oh, the places you’ll go
Wayne County Tourism partners with 13 local businesses to host the tour, including farms, farm markets, wineries, and a distillery. Visitors can download a tour map at appletastingtour.com, or pick up a copy at any tour stop.
The lucky 13 stops on the tour offer harvest activities throughout October, with special activities planned for Tasting Weekend. “Disconnect yourself from your devices, experience the nature and beauty we have around us, and make your memories in Wayne County,” Worth said.
New this year
Wager’s Country Apple in Red Creek, boasts four decades in business and a 100-acre farm full of apples, strawberries, peaches, and sweet cherries. They also have an in-store bakery and barn sale.
Old favorites
Three attractions have been part of the tour for all of its two decades: Burnap’s Farm Market, which is fun for the whole family, with chickens, goats, and a large farm market; Long Acre Farms, known for the Amazing Maize Maze and Back 40 Adventure, as well as homemade ice cream and JD Wine Cellars; and The Apple Shed, with a cider mill, a country café, and a corn slide for kids.
*Tour must-do list:
- Pick your own apples at one of the many farms and apple orchards on the tour.
- Stop for lunch at the café at Lagoner Farms.
- Experience and escape Amazing Maize Maze at Long Acre Farms.
- Play at many stops with hayrides, tractor rides, pumpkins patches, corn canons and more.
- Find your new favorite apple by tasting all the varieties at seven farm markets.
- Stock up on fall goodies like fresh pies, apple salsa, and homemade preserves.
- Pick out colorful mums and bright orange pumpkins.
- Enjoy wine tasting at Thorpe Vineyards, Young Sommer Winery, and JD Wine Cellars.
- Try a glass of hard cider at Apple Country Spirits or Embark Craft Ciderworks at Lagoner Farm.
The 13 apple tasting tour stops:
Apple Country Spirits
3274 Eddy Road, Williamson
Apple Town Farm Market
4734 Route 104, Williamson
Brownell’s Farm Market
5247 East Lake Road, Williamson
Burnaps Farm Market & Garden Café
7277 Maple Avenue, Sodus
Jensen’s Farm Market
1040 Canandaigua Road, Macedon
Lagoner Farm Market & Embark Craft Ciderworks
6895 Lake Avenue, Williamson
Long Acre Farms & JD Wine Cellars
1342 Eddy Road, Macedon
Morgan’s Farm Market
3821 Cory Corners Road, Marion
Mackquinle Farm
5630 Norris Rd, North Rose
Orbaker’s Fruit Farm
3451 Lake Road, Williamson
The Apple Shed
3391 Fairville-Maple Ridge Road, Newark
Thorpe Vineyard
8150 Chimney Heights Blvd, Wolcott
Wagers Country Apple
7047 Main Street, Red Creek,
Young Sommer Winery
4287 Jersey Road, Williamson
**For information and directions to each site, visit appletastingtour.com for a mobile locator or call Wayne County Tourism at 800-527-6510.**
Apples at the core of tourism
New York State has 51,097 acres of apple trees and 20,862 of them a
re in Wayne County — making it the top apple-producing county in the state.
Mcintosh is the top production apple in Wayne County. imported from Ontario, Canada shortly
after its discovery in 1811, this apple thrived here because of its hardy constitution and love of cool nights. Other varieties grown in the county include Empire, Red delicious, Cortland, Rome, Idared, and Crispin, plus dozens more less popular (but equally delicious ) varieties.
Apple farming has been a way of life in Wayne County for centuries, and is home to several multi-generational farms. Two recognized Century farms (100 years) —Lagoner farms and Orbaker’s fruit farm— are on the tour and were established in1909 and 1889, respectively.
For more information on Wayne County, the Apple Tasting Tour, or the apple industry, contact Wayne County Tourism at 800-527-6510 or visit waynecountytourism.com.
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