Area’s apple orchards, cider mills are annual favorites

Crisp, tart, mouth-watering Michigan apples are the hallmarks of the autumn season. Whether it’s plucking bushels off orchard trees or peeling them for a sumptuous fruit pie, everyone in this neck of the woods longs for apple season.

The by-product of apples, of course, is apple cider, and what complements this natural nectar better but freshly baked donuts, a cider mill staple. People will stand in winding cider mill lines to satisfy their cravings for these seasonal favorites.

Nearby orchards and cider mills offer tractor rides to those who long to pick their favorite varietal fresh off the branch, whether it be the classic McIntosh, fleshy Cortland, sweet-tart Empire, tangy Idared, acidic Northern Spy, gingery smooth Golden Delicious, snappy Gala or sweet and firm Honeycrisp. In addition to tractor rides, petting farms, corn mazes, and pumpkin patch picking are now trademarks of Michigan cider mills.

It’s no surprise that Michigan residents love their apples, given that Michigan is the third largest apple-producing state in the nation, harvesting close to 20 million bushels or 840 million pounds of apples every year.

The following is a sampling of the signature apple orchards and cider mills in or around the lakes area, what they offer and their times of operation. So head out to your nearby cider mill where a backdrop of crimson, amber, and copper foilage set against a pristine blue sky welcomes you; and fragrant smells, and once-a-year tastes await you.

The lakes area is home to Long’s Family Orchard, Farm and Cider Mill, situated on East Commerce Road, west of Bogie Lake Road in Commerce Township. The landmark has been in operation since 1876, and was established under Joseph Long.

Joseph Long first purchased the farm after he bought a herd of cattle at the Detroit Stockyards and herded them all the way to West Bloomfield Township. He later moved the farm to its current location.

Today, it’s still in the family, owned and operated by fifth-generation descendent Rob Long and his wife, Christine.

The farm is nationally renowned. It was heralded as having the best commercially-used barn in 2011, earning the Barn of the Year Award from the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.

“We renovated it over the last few years by expanding the kitchen and opening up the ceiling,” Christine Long said.

Now antiques — ranging from scythes, saws, pans, washboards, and buckets, adding rustic appeal — saved from the old barn hang from pre-Civil War beams.

The Longs like to celebrate the fall harvest the old-fashioned way.

“It’s all about fresh produce and family entertainment so people have a happy experience,” Christine Long said.

However, Rob Long said, “It’s a short season, so people need to come on out.”

Inside the cider mill, patrons can purchase cider, donuts, apples, honey, and sweet corn.

Long’s makes its unpasteurized cider on site, typically between two and three times a week.

“We press the cider fresh from a variety of apples, some tart, some sweet,” Christine Long said. “We pick them from the tree, nothing from the ground — besides, state law prohibits that.”

Making a cider batch takes 18 bushels of apples at a time. The apples are sent through a good washing in which they are scrubbed and then sent assembly line style up an elevator into a grinding shaft before they’re pressed. The product is then sent via a tube into a filling station.

According to Rob Long, federal law states that any cider produced and sold at a location that turns out a quantity of less than 150 gallons per year can be sold unpasteurized.

“That’s why so many small cider mills make unpasteurized cider,” he said. “People like the flavor better. If it’s pasteurized, the flavor changes.”

This year the Longs installed a second donut machine and are in the process of hooking up an automatic jugger along with an electronical upgrade for efficiency’s sake.

“We’re getting busier, so the upgrades will save us time,” Christine Long said.

Rob Long attributes the spike in business to more people buying local.

“The revolution of buying local is catching on,” he said. “Plus, people come out and like talking with the people running the farm.”

Across the street at the red barn, visitors take a tractor ride out to the orchard to pick McIntosh, Gala, and Honeycrisp apples, which are now in harvest.

“We sell the Honeycrisp the most, but it’s a short season — they’re harder to grow and store and that’s why they’re a little more expensive,” Christine Long said.

Apart from the hottest commodity, apples, Long’s grows asparagus (picked in May), strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, squash, and pumpkins.

Beehives are rented and placed in the orchard for a two-fold purpose.

“The bees pollinate the apple blossoms and then the honey is sold,” Rob said.

“Local honey is good for allergies — just one teaspoon a day. People say it really helps,” Christine Long said.

As of Saturday, Sept. 24, the Long’s corn maze and farm yard opened and are accessible on weekends only. The red barn garage is being converted into a new ticket booth to accommodate patrons. The newer play area — complete with palace and wooden train playscapes to explore, a giant slide, inflatables, a pedal kart raceway and larger picnic area — has been a real crowd pleaser.

Those 30-inches-tall and under are admitted free of charge. Otherwise, an $8 day pass gives patrons unlimited hayrides to the U-pick pumpkin area for the day in October; unlimited time in the 5-acre corn maze for the day; and unlimited time in the play area for the day.

Patrons can upgrade to a season pass for an additional $1.

Hours of operation are Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We’re trying to offer something new every year,” Christine Long said. “Now people want to pick apples, grab some donuts and cider and relax for the day. The farm yard is enclosed so it’s perfect for families to do just that — relax.”

Visitors are invited to come and get lost in the farm’s Moonlight Maze, lit only from a glow-stick. The 5-acre Spider Web Moonlight Maze will open Oct. 14, limited to Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. It runs through Oct. 29.

Those 3-years-old and under are admitted free of charge; all others enter for $8. Glow sticks are included in the entry price.

Bulbous, orange pumpkins will be ready to pick in October. As a special attraction on Halloween, Rob Long loads the pumpkin cannon and sends one sailing every hour.

“It’s a short season and it’s something fun for our customers to watch,” he said.

For over 50 years, Diehl’s Orchard and Cider Mill in Holly has been serving up fresh apple cider and warm cinnamon donuts to Michigan residents. Located at 1479 Ranch Road, the rustic cider mill is now open with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week through Oct. 31.

From Nov. 1 until Nov. 23 it is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

It is closed Thanksgiving.

The mill and orchard is owned and operated by a third generation of Diehl’s — Mike, Christine and their son, Nick. Interestingly enough, Diehl’s was originally acquired when Mike Diehl’s grandfather’s brother acquired the orchard in a poker game. The brother handed it off later to Paul Diehl, Mike’s Diehl’s grandfather, who added on the mill.

“There are no bells and whistles here,” Christine Diehl said. “It’s very basic. We like to keep it simple — that’s our philosophy.”

Right now their full line of fresh apples are in and include Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Mollie Delicious and Golden Supreme. They plan to have different varieties by the end of the season including Northern Spy; Jonathan; JonaMac (a cross between Jonathan and McIntosh); Idared; Fuji; Empire; and both Golden and Red Delicious.

“We stopped harvesting apples a couple years ago,” Christine said. “We sell lots of different varieties that come from local farms around mid-Michigan.”

The mill operates a cider press purchased in the late 1960s. Diehl’s only sells unpasteurized cider.

“We consciously choose not to pasteurize and feel strongly about serving raw, fresh juice from the apple,” Christine Diehl said.

She noted that pasteurization kills off bacteria. However, that only would apply to farms that keep livestock.

“It doesn’t make sense because nobody uses dropped apples. We only use apples right from the tree and each one is thoroughly washed,” Christine Diehl said. “Anything eaten raw is best. It becomes a different product when cooked. Pasteurizing changes the flavor, consistency and nutritional value.”

For those who want to pasteurize their cider, Diehl recommends taking cider home and cooking it on the stove for 10 seconds at 160 degrees.

On the weekends, Deihl’s offers hayrides that run through Oct. 30. Costs are $7 per person, or combine the hayride with a pumpkin patch tour for an $11 per person fee; it’s $9 per person for a pie-sized pumpkin.

For a smaller cider mill, it provides a large range of entertainment and produce. To kick off the season, it holds an annual Ciderfest and Ciderfest Run complete with a craft show, entertainment, free face painting, artist demonstrations, and free samples at the end of September along with an apple pie baking contest.

“We’ve always done this before we get crazy busy,” Christine Diehl said. “The run brings in customers and that’s why it started, but my mission is to promote wholesome activities — it’s not just about the money.”

She added that as she has become more involved in the business, she has let her passion direct her steps.

“I love serving families,” she said. “Even though we lose money on the baking contest, we want to offer old fashioned family fun.”

A pair of craft shows are coming up in the first two weekends in October — Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, 2; and Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9, where over 20 crafters will sell their creative wares.

Another unique offering is the dinner and a hayride evening where you choose from two menu options. The evening also includes a tractor-pulled hayride and a dinner served by campfire for $18 per person.

Children are allowed to play on the playground, playscape, hay piles, or navigate through the kiddie maze or apple orchard free of charge every day.

Oak Haven Farm, at 7515 Grange Hall in Holly, is featuring harvest days every weekend in October from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Patrons can purchase apples, cider and pumpkins.

Visit the Farm Market for fall produce, caramel apples, apple cider and homemade donuts.

Come in and enjoy the quaint country charm of Grandma’s Ice Cream Parlour where they serve up old fashioned, hand-dipped Cooks ice cream.

Grandma’s is open on the weekends, weather permitting.

Homemade chili, hot dogs, coffee and pop, hot chocolate and hot apple cider is available at Uncle Ray’s.

Weekends are reserved for a horse-drawn hayride, pony rides, frolicking in the hay or getting lost following the twists and turns of this year’s corn maze, covering 3.5 miles of rough hilly terrain. Costs range from $3 to $5 per activity.

Erwin Orchards is a third-generation family farm located at 61475 Silver Lake Road in South Lyon that is celebrating its 91st anniversary. The 200 acres of fruit orchards is maintained using state of the art technology.

Proprietors Bill and Linda Erwin, along with partner Bill Emery, pride themselves on the environmentally friendly orchard by practicing Integrated Pet Management, using biological controls on insects instead of chemicals whenever possible.

Erwin’s trademark is top quality “Pick Your Own” apples, sweet cherries, raspberries and pumpkins. Tractor-pulled wagons take you out to harvest apples from easy-to-pick dwarf trees and pumpkins from the patch. Wagon rides are available from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.

Currently they are selling Cortland, McIntosh, Empire, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, and Idareds. Jona Gold, Mutsu and Red Delicious will finish off the season. Squash and cabbage are not available for picking but will be harvested when ready sometime in late fall.

Raspberries will be available for picking until the first frost.

Moreover they sell honey, pies, maple syrup, and speciality breads.

Erwin’s offers a full array of family entertainment, including a corn maze, petting farm, and inflatables. To ring in the Halloween season, visit the Spooky Fun Barn for younger children, and the Barn of Horrors for the braver at heart.

Yates Cider Mill is a historic landmark in Rochester that dates back to 1863. The cider mill village is located at 1990 E. Avon Road.

September and October hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Right now Gala, Ginger Gold, and Paula Red apples are in. Each of these varieties are picked and pressed to concoct premium cider. During the fall, as many as six different varieties of apples are blended to produce this 100-percent natural cider. Its line-shaft driven, double table press can produce 300 gallons of fresh cider per hour. The Clinton River cascades over the Yates dam, which supplies the headwaters to power the mill.

After all the juice is squeezed out of the apples, the dried-up apple pulp from the press is dumped into a train car that chugs along the tracks from underneath the mill, up the hill and outside where it is hauled away. Kids love to watch the gates close and the railroad crossing sign lights flash signaling the train is fast approaching.

Along with fresh donuts, Yates churns out fresh apple pies, apple turnovers, apple crisp, and caramel apples daily.

They are very inventive with apples. Take home apple butter, apple syrup, apple jelly or Dutch apple jam or step into the Frankenmuth Fudge Shoppe where confections like fudge, taffy and caramel corn tantalize your taste buds.

Yates’ new Ice Cream Shoppe serves up hand-dipped ice cream, shakes of all varieties, sundaes, and slushes.

In addition a petting zoo, pony rides are on site.

Nearby, the Rochester Cider Mill at 125 Rochester Road boasts a myriad of products in autumn. All of the products are Michigan-made, most of them grown within 50 miles of the mill.

The sweet apple cider is unpasteurized. In every batch there always contains at least two, and sometimes up to four, varieties of apples.

A minimum of four apple varieties are available at all times, with up to 14 varieties featured at the height of the season. Right now they have McIntosh, Gala, Golden Supreme and Honey Crisp in stock. Cortland and Paula Reds will be coming in shortly.

Unlike many cider mills, they offer an array of donuts such as plain, cinnamon-sugar, blueberry, apple cinnamon with maple glaze, powdered, cherry, chocolate frosted, chocolate frosted with scary sprinkles, and lemon with sprinkles.

They also offer candy apples; caramel apples with and without nuts; apple crisp; fruit and nut pies; and natural Michigan honey and maple syrup.

Moreover, they sell a number of squashes; popcorns, and antibiotic- and hormone-free eggs.

Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Since 1987, Ashton Cider Mill, located at 3825 Seymour Lake Road in Ortonville, has continued to bank on its premier crop — apples. Right now they are harvesting Ginger Golds, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Paula Red, and Gala apples.

As they ripen, they will be harvesting Empire, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Candy Crisp; Jonagold, Winesap, and Fuji.

The rural landmark also offers donuts, cider, apple crisps, cookies, fresh-baked breads, pies, and jellies, along with winter squash.

Families can sit and relax at the many picnic tables on the property while kids romp around on the playscapes. The groomed grounds are home to antique farm equipment.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays through December.

For over 50 years, Goodison Cider Mill has taken runs over to Blake’s Orchard in Alameda to buy apples and then parlays them into pure apple cider.

The mill is located in Rochester at 4295 Orion Road, and is home to its world-famous pistachio nut bread. Hundreds of loaves are sold every year.

Donuts are another staple item, sold in three varieties — cinnamon-sugar, plain, and blueberry frosted. In addition, the mill offers a variety of pies, jams, apples, and honey.

Weekend activities include a moon walk bounce house for the kids, music, and entertainment. All outdoor activities are featured, weather permitting.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.