Peaches have arrived!
While the best peach picking is still to come as different types of peaches come in, yellow peaches are clinging to trees, ripening, ready for little hands to pick them and place them in a peck.
Of course, we’ve peach picked at Carter Mountain Orchard. But this summer, due to location, we decided to try out their sister property: Chiles Peach Orchard.
Chiles is located in Crozet and my kids called it a “mini-Carter Mountain.” I don’t think they meant this in reference to the number of trees to pick from or the size of the fruit itself (both of which were large and abundant). I think they noticed the similarities in experience. And while Carter Mountain Orchard has a huge shop, grounds, and vista, Chiles is a little more accessible in some ways.
Much like its sister property, Chiles Peach Orchard doesn’t only “do” peaches. In fact, one of the most enticing pick-your-own variations they offer (that my kids had zero interest in, unfortunately) was wildflowers! Across the road from the peach orchard, brightly colored blossoms beckoned to be picked and clumped together in a summery bouquet on my kitchen table. It is a great excuse to go back.
Chiles also had blueberries for picking while we were there, and they looked delicious.
It may be because of the elevation or just the time of day we went, but the bugs were very bad in the orchard. So be prepared: wear a hat and don bug spray. Which is, incidentally, what I wrote about our trip to Carter Mountain for peaches last summer. Maybe at some point I will listen to all my own good advice? Point is: don’t be like me.
Also, we had to walk along a fairly-fast road to get to where the picking began. Things like that always tend to make me nervous as a mama bear with her cubs, but it was fine.
We picked quickly because it was so easy. The peaches were just falling off the trees. It required so little effort to fill up on beautiful bundles of orange and red.
Then we had time to enjoy the grounds!
Chiles Peach Orchard has a little courtyard area to hang out in, with corn hole and shade and picnic benches. Attached to this area is a “barn” with wine tasting.
The market offers a lot of the same homemade goods that are sold up at Carter Mountain, complete with cider doughnuts and apple butter. There were also pre-picked peaches (including my beloved donut peaches) as well as other fruits and vegetables for purchase (alas, I didn’t see any wildflower bouquets).
And, of course, don’t forget to stick around for some home-churned peach ice cream!
I don’t know what a dondae is or looks like, but something tells me we’ll be going back some point soon to find out.
While Chiles Peach Orchard has big shoes to fill living in the shadow of Carter Mountain, we still did exactly what we came for here. We picked fresh peaches, ate some sweet treats, and brought home some cider doughnuts. In general, it is really great to have something like this on the Crozet side of the region. Consider a stop at Pro Re Nata for a full day’s outing!
For more on Chiles Peach Orchard:
- Official website
- To see what’s available (both to pick and pre-pick): 434.823.1583
Raising Charlottesville is a website dedicated to highlighting fun & local activities for families living in the Charlottesville, VA area.