Archive
Summer time
Leave a CommentSummer time and the living is busy here at Archibald’s! The big job right now is hand thinning the trees. What’s hand thinning? It’s going tree to tree, and manually picking off the surplus apples. A tree can only support so many! Ideally, we want a single apple every 6″ & no clusters. It’s a tedious job but worth while for a few reasons. It gives the tree help with growing the fruit, as well as continuing to grow leaves, branches, roots… Also, come harvest time the fruit remaining on the tree will be larger. It’s a win/win!
Here’s a quick video with a little more info:
https://www.facebook.com/sandy.archibald.1/videos/10157487202778169/
Step Inside
Leave a CommentWe invite you to come Step Inside & meet the makers! This is a one of a kind tour where farmers, beekeepers, millers, wine & cider makers will show you the behind the scenes operations. Ever wonder how a heritage mill works? Want to see how farmers rotate cattle in the fields? Are bees really dying? Want to see how cider used to be made & how it’s made with a mobile unit? Interested in making your own apple wine or cider? Bring your curiosity & follow the path to Step Inside! We’re proud to show you how it works. Every stop has a unique story to tell. And each is hosted by passionate, committed people. Learn something new about something old! This is a special day to see the inner workings… ask questions… learn. 2019 Step Inside Brochure (pdf)
- Cider Presses – old & new
- 1846 Mill, still in operation
- “Live” rotational pasture
- Beekeepers share their story
- Learn how to grow apples & make wine
When is this happening?
Saturday & Sunday, June 8th & 9th from 10 – 4.
Check out the site locations, activities & times: 2019 Step Inside Brochure (pdf)
Participating Sites include:
Geissberger Farmhouse Cider
Gallery on the Farm
3Beez.buzz
Tyrone Mills
Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery – tours are on the hour starting at 10 with the last one at 3!
No blossoms yet
Leave a CommentWell… it’s the Victoria Day Weekend.
We’ll be hosting our annual Honey Bee Orchard Blossom Walk on Saturday, May 18th with Farmer Fred & Billy Bumblebee. Tours start at 10 a.m. with the last tour at 3 p.m.
Local beekeepers, Petra & Martin will be here to share their knowledge about bees & caring for them. They’ll also have a range of their honey to purchase.
Local potter, Rosemary Jenkins will be here with her beautiful clay creations. It’s a perfect time to get something special for someone – including yourself!
We’ll be offering complimentary wine tasting. The children’s play area will be open & refreshments will be available to purchase.
However, there’s one thing missing – Apple Blossoms!
In the history of this 50+ year old orchard, we can’t remember a Victoria Day Weekend without at least some bloom showing. Thanks – or should I say – no thanks to the cold, wet spring weather, the apple trees have pushed very little growth. It’s going to be a week later than expected. So, we’re hosting another tour on Sunday, May 26th from 10 – 3 to see the blossoms. Unfortunately, the beekeepers & potter won’t be here. So, if you want to chat with them, come out on Saturday, May 18th. You can always come out the following Sunday for photo ops! Ahhh… the life of a farmer. Ever changing conditions!
Honey Bee Orchard Walk
Leave a CommentMake the connection between Bees & Blossoms!
Want to see the orchard in bloom? Join us on Saturday, May 18th for a narrated walk through the orchard with Farmer Fred & “Billy Bumblebee”. Hear why it’s so important to have bees in the orchard during blossom time. Be sure to bring your cameras!
Talk with local beekeepers about their bees & honey. See if you can spot the Queen in the demonstration beehive! And check out the beautiful pottery created by our visiting artist, Rosemary Jenkins. Refreshments, honey & pottery will be available for purchasing. Wine tasting is complimentary & the children’s play area will be open. Please leave your pets at home.
Tours are FREE & on the hour starting at 10 with the last tour at 3. When you’re finished here, head 3 minutes up the road to the Tyrone Mills to hear more about bees. And, did I mention cider donuts to die for?
Savour the beauty & fragrance of apple blossoms.
Other Upcoming Events:
Mother’s Day Sunday – May 12th – Wine Sampling with Sprucewood Cookies yummy shortbread cookies!
Step Inside – June 8 & 9
Fall Apple Harvest Driving Tour – September 28 & 29
A Country Path Christmas – December 7 & 8
It’s a wrap!
Leave a CommentWe’re in the final stretch to Christmas! Still working on your list? We’re open 10 – 5 daily up until Christmas Eve when we close at 4 p.m. We would love to help you get things wrapped up. And just in case you haven’t heard, we are closed January & February. So, you might want to stock up before we close on December 24th!
Fresh cider anyone? Fred did the final pressing for 2018. It’s available in the 4L jug while quantities last. Great hot, cold or with a splash of rum. And you can freeze it if you leave some “head space” to allow for expansion.
If you are looking for suggestions for holiday entertaining, Ida Red Oak Aged is a great dry white to pair with turkey. Black & Apple Black Currant are also great matches with a little more body. And you can’t go wrong with Hard Cider during the meeting & greeting time over appetizers.
The finale to any meal is of course dessert! Our Spiced Winter Apple & Canadian Maple dessert wines are great choices for everything from plum pudding & shortbread cookies to marzipan & pecan pie. OR lovely just on their own. Don’t like really sweet wines? Cherries ‘n Chocolate is my favourite!
So, to wrap up 2018… It’s been a great year over all. We thank you for your continued support. It’s what keeps us going. Our final message for the season: May peace, love, hope and joy be yours at Christmas and always. Warmest wishes from our family to yours!
Fred & Sandy
Christmas in Clarington Country
Leave a CommentIt’s finally here! The Holiday Shopping Road Trip that will get you into the Christmas Spirit. From Friday to Sunday, November 23 to 25 from 10 – 4, travel the country roads of Clarington & visit 9 great stops. Each location has something special for this weekend. And just in case you get hungry along the way, Eldad Church will be serving lunch on Friday & Enniskillen/Tyrone Church on Saturday.
So, what’s happening at Archibald’s? You’re going to find wonderful local art… local goodies… and of course local wines & ciders. Here’s a little more information:
Bear Hugs
will be here with their whimsical creations. They also make bears out of old fur coats!
Linda Brown
will be here on Saturday with her beautiful cards.
Susan Boles’
captivating art will be on display all weekend. Come meet Susan on Saturday!
Susanne Watson-Bongard – aka RTSYGIRL
Looking for unique, one of a kind jewellery? Come meet Susanne on Saturday. She’s offering a special this weekend. Buy 2 pairs of earrings & you get the 3rd one free. One for yourself, I’m thinking!
Sharon Gallina
Another great photographer who specializes in wildlife, nature & landscapes will be here on Saturday. See what Sharon captures behind the lens.
Janice Phillips
And one more local talent is seamstress Janice Phillips. From pillows, table runners & tea cozies to journals & “whatever” bags, Janice combines her attention to detail & choice of fabric to create something perfect for that special someone.
You’ll also find here:
- Complimentary Wine & Cider Tasting
- Local Gourmet Foods & Cheeses
- Beautiful Gift Baskets for every taste & budget
- Caramel Apple Dumplings
- Lots of smiles & Christmas/Holiday Good Wishes
And
keeping in mind Black Friday, our Black Wine (Black Cherry & Black Currant) will be on sale for the 3 days of the tour at $3 off. It’s a great dry “red”, that pairs well with anything you would serve a red wine with.
Visit as many of the 9 stops as you can over the 3 days & you may just win a $100 Gift Certificate. Here’s the downloadable brochure. 2018 Christmas in Clarington Brochure
“Hope that you make it out!” Fred & Sandy
Christmas Tour
Leave a CommentNow that the apple harvest is done, we’re thinking about the upcoming Holiday Season. Our elves are busy designing baskets with lots of locally made goodies including toffee, chocolate bark, cookies, ginger & garlic honey.
You’ll want to mark November 23rd to 25th on your calendar. That’s the weekend of the annual Christmas in Clarington Country tour. There are 12 unique stops along the route, including the Eldad Church (Friday only), the Enniskillen/Tyrone Church (Saturday only) and the Orono Town Hall (Sunday only).
Here at Archibald’s, we will be featuring local artists’ creations. And of course, we will be offering Complimentary Wine Tasting along with suggestions for food & wine matching. Here’s a downloadable brochure to get you on this Holiday Shopping Road Trip! 2018 Brochure final final
Many thanks to Mark Robinson Studios for this amazing photo that appears on the front cover of this year’s brochure!
Last chance to pick
Leave a CommentThe 2018 harvest is almost over. Sunday, October 14th will be the last day for picking. Varieties available are: Ambrosia, Empire, Red Delicious, Ida Red & Cortland.
We will continue to be open until Christmas Eve with hours of Tuesday to Sunday from 10 – 5. Come visit us & enjoy complimentary wine sampling… browse our gift section… get some ready picked apples while quantities last.
The next event on the agenda is Christmas in Clarington Country, November 23rd to 25th. More information to follow shortly.
Apple events this weekend
Leave a CommentIt’s the most wonderful time of the year – Apple Season! And we have so many varieties available this weekend – September 29th & 30th.
Never picked apples here before? It’s really easy! You drive to the check in booth where you are given a sheet of paper with the varieties & row numbers on it. You’re also given a 1/2 bushel bag to pick into. The price is $35 per bag – any variety that’s available.
Next, you’ll head into the orchard. As you’re driving, you will see the varieties & rows marked. You will also see our helpful orchard monitors in the safety vests. They will help you get to the varieties that you want to pick.
Parking is always on the right & angle parking is preferred. The apple picking route is one way. So, you will end up back at the check in booth – which is now the check out booth for you! Payment can be made with cards, debit & of course cash.
Hope that you are able to come out! And be sure to visit the rest of the folks on A Country Path’s Fall Apple Harvest Driving Tour: Tyrone Mills, Model A Acres, Timeless Essentials, Rosemary Jenkins Pottery, 3Beez.buzz, Knox’s Pumpkin Farm & Geissberger Farmhouse Cider. Here’s the downloadable brochure. 2018 Fall Apple Harvest Brochure Final final
And the fun doesn’t end there. To download your Great Apple Adventure Map visit clarington.net/GreatAppleAdventure. Happy Apple Season!
Fall Apple Harvest Driving Tour
Leave a CommentCome take the Fall Apple Harvest Driving Tour! September 29th & 30th from 10 – 4
Savour the sights, sounds and smells of the fall & apple season! From apple and pumpkin picking to tasting ciders and apple wines, you will get a taste of the fall harvest. Visit a 172 year old “Mill in Motion”. Check out some 14 one of a kind full size historical replicas. Talk with a herbologist… a potter… beekeepers… Eight unique locations to visit along A Country Path. Tour Dates/Times: September 29th & 30th from 10 – 4!
Here at Archibald’s, our orchard will be open for pick your own apples. A great fall experience with family & friends! After picking, you might want to browse through our market and pick up some fresh pressed cider, apple pie, apple crisp… Our Apple Core Cafe is open on weekends with fries, caramel dumplings & fritters while quantities last! Delicious!
And don’t forget to visit our Winery section where you can enjoy complimentary wine and cider tasting. Our wines range from very dry and off dry table wines to dessert wines. And if you like cider, you will be happy to hear that we make 6 ciders with alcohol. You have to try our original Hard Cider that we’ve been making for 20 years. It’s made with the McIntosh apple and the Ida Red apple. And our newest cider is made with ginger. So refreshing! For the non-drinkers and kids, we have 4 non-alcoholic ciders too!
Speaking of kids, we’ve created a small play area for the little ones made with old wine tanks. We also have a small wooden maze that young ones have fun traversing through.
But the fun’s not over on this special weekend. You can visit Tyrone Mills up the road; Model A Acres (cost for the tour); Timeless Essentials; Rosemary Jenkins Pottery; 3 Beez.buzz; Knox’ Pumpkin Farm and Geissberger Farmhouse Cider. All brought to you by A Country Path. Here’s a downloadable brochure, complete with map. 2018 Fall Apple Harvest Brochure Final final
Mark September 29th & 30th on your calendar & come on out to A Country Path. Happy Fall everyone!