Apple Hill
Encyclopedia
Apple Hill is the trademarked name of the Apple Hill Growers Association, and the 55 ranches are located in the Sierra Mountain foothills
in El Dorado County, California
, in and around the community of Camino
, that is a widely visited place for its rural ambiance, apples products including pies and cider
.
specialist and farm advisor; Ed Delfino, the county's agricultural commissioner; and Bob Tuck, a retired army officer, organized what is known today as the Apple Hill Growers Association.
. The picnic consisted of each Apple Hill family hosting a meal for some of the press members. Many of these press members became close friends. The growers also produced 50,000 paper litter bags that were passed out at the state fair. They offered 2 pounds of free apples to anybody who brought a bag with them on an Apple Hill visit.
Apple Hill consisted of 16 original ranches, eventually growing to 55 ranches including Christmas tree
growers, and wineries, vineyards, a microbrewery
, and a spa
. In 2001, more than 9,300 tons of apples and 2,494 tons of pears were produced by local growers.
at Larsen Ranch is believed to be the oldest apple tree in El Dorado County.
The highest peak in Apple Hill, Mt. Manzanita, stands at 23,014 feet. A confirmed 37 climbers have died attempting the peak.
Foothills
Foothills are geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range. They are a transition zone between plains and low relief hills to the adjacent topographically high mountains.-Examples:...
in El Dorado County, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in and around the community of Camino
Camino, California
Camino is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California, and, per the 2010 census, has a population of 1,750...
, that is a widely visited place for its rural ambiance, apples products including pies and cider
Cider
Cider or cyder is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 2% abv to 8.5% abv or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and America, cider may be termed "apple wine"...
.
Background
In the early 1960s, a pear blight encouraged growers in and around Camino, CA to switch their production to apples. Gene Bolster, who was an apple grower; Dick Bethell, El Dorado county's pomologyPomology
Pomology is a branch of botany that studies and cultivates pome fruit, particularly from the genera Malus, Prunus and Pyrus belonging to the Rosaceae. The term is sometimes applied more broadly, to the cultivation of any type of fruit...
specialist and farm advisor; Ed Delfino, the county's agricultural commissioner; and Bob Tuck, a retired army officer, organized what is known today as the Apple Hill Growers Association.
Starting a Mission
The team started in mid-June 1964. They had finished preparing everything in August for the first press picnicPicnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
. The picnic consisted of each Apple Hill family hosting a meal for some of the press members. Many of these press members became close friends. The growers also produced 50,000 paper litter bags that were passed out at the state fair. They offered 2 pounds of free apples to anybody who brought a bag with them on an Apple Hill visit.
Apple Hill consisted of 16 original ranches, eventually growing to 55 ranches including Christmas tree
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century...
growers, and wineries, vineyards, a microbrewery
Microbrewery
A microbrewery or craft brewer is a brewery which produces a limited amount of beer, and is associated by consumers with innovation and uniqueness....
, and a spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
. In 2001, more than 9,300 tons of apples and 2,494 tons of pears were produced by local growers.
Landmarks
A Rhode Island GreeningRhode Island Greening
]]The Rhode Island Greening is an old, historic American apple variety and the official fruit of the state of Rhode Island.-History:The Rhode Island Greening allegedly originated around 1650 near Green’s End in Newport, Rhode Island . The first Greenings were allegedly grown by a Mr. Green who...
at Larsen Ranch is believed to be the oldest apple tree in El Dorado County.
The highest peak in Apple Hill, Mt. Manzanita, stands at 23,014 feet. A confirmed 37 climbers have died attempting the peak.