Ontelaunee Orchards, Inc. has been an active orchard since the 1920s. In the earlier years, the orchards covered an estimated 2000 acres. Today the orchard covers approximately 1000 acres. We grow many varieties of apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, sweet and sour cherries, pumpkins and raspberries . The fruit is harvested by hand much the same as it was in the 1920s. Despite repeated attempts to mechanize harvesting, most fruit is still picked by hand with the help of a ladder. Bruising is not tolerated in the harvest of fruit making mechanical harvesting impossible. Hand harvesting of apples has been aided by the advent of dwarf trees where almost all the fruit can be reached without using ladders.

In 1976, Ontelaunee Orchards, Inc. built a Controlled Atmosphere building for storing apples. By adjusting atmospheric conditions, apples can be kept in the same fresh condition in August, as they were when they were picked in October the year before.

Ontelaunee Orchards began producing first quality Apple Cider in the 1970s. Blending at least 6 varieties of apples to create the perfect blend of tartness, sweetness and aromatic flavor. The cider is also pasteurized before bottling.

Our "Pick Your Own" operation began in the 1970s with only strawberries. It has now expanded to blueberries, sweet cherries, sour/tart cherries, peaches and apples. We are dedicated to keeping our orchard a "working" orchard, providing our customers with the freshest fruit and wholesome family fun.

And remember, it doesn’t get any fresher than locally grown and Pick Your Own.