The view surrounding GH Sebastopol changes month by month as the once prominent apple orchards yield to the ever expanding vines of progress. Western Sonoma was once renowned for its Gravenstein apples. Today when people think of Sonoma County I am confident that the first thing that tickles the brain is the melody of flavorful grapes in their favorite wine. On our property here at GH we have about a dozen Gravenstein trees that we plan on keeping for the long run. We often take “apple walks” from mid summer to fall, up the hill to our favorite tree for fresh pickings. Around the neighborhood, tractors can be seen plowing down the orchards to make way for new vines as the crop of choice has changed. This changing of the guard got me thinking about this very specific variety of apple and how it became so popular and dominant in this area. The great botanist, horticulturist, and agricultural pioneer Luther Burbank once proclaimed “”It has often been said that if the Gravenstein could be had throughout the year, no other apple need be grown.”

If you want to know more about the Gravenstein, and what it has meant to this area of the country, below are a few links you may enjoy:

The Gravenstein Apple Fair
Gravenstein Apples Struggle to Survive in Sonoma County
US Presidia: Sebastopol Gravenstein Apple
Wikipedia: Gravenstien