Tennessee Orchard Yerrinbool

A saturday morning in autumn, I headed to the produce rich Southern Highlands. There is something alluring about the Southern Highlands in autumn. It’s an invigorating combination of country air with crispy leaves changing into colours of claret and cornflake gold that fills the senses. Head down the famous Hume Highway, look out for the bright red apple suspended in the air, and you have reached Tennessee Orchard. Located at Yerrinbool, a 1hour and 15 minute journey from Sydney.





Offering seasonal produce to the public, Tennessee Orchard is famously known for their succulent range of apples. One of their most unique varieties is the Winesap, only available during the ANZAC Day long weekend. This was one of my main reasons for visiting and stocking up.



Tennessee Orchard is one of the featured fresh producers of the Wollondilly area, part of the New South Wales Farm Gate tour guides.

Inside a big silver shed lies a cornucopia of fresh fruit and vegetables - both from the orchard and locally sourced. The orchard also grows kale and celeriac, which is currently in season.



The spacious shed operates both as a shop front and as an operations facility for the sorting of the apples. Rustic machinery and conveyer belts adds to the authenticity of the experience.





Some of the fresh produce available during my visit included leafy iceberg lettuces; purple rich eggplants, and radiant capsicums. Leeks and silver beet were also in abundance.







I bought a box of the winesap apples, which are of a mammoth size and quiet tart in flavour. There is something encouraging about buying an apple which isn’t shiny with chemicals or perfect in appearance.



In addition to the fresh produce, there is a wealth of fresh jams, conserves and preserved fruit for sale - all produced locally.



Free-range eggs, honey and freshly squeezed apple juice is also available for purchase.



Depending on supply and demand, the orchard is open from late february through to August. Within this season different varieties will be available.



In Late February / Early March, Red Braeburn, Imperial Gala and Red Delicious apples are in peak season. Early April is the best time for Red Fuji, and late April to mid May will see an abundance of Pink Lady, Sundowner and Granny Smith apples available.

It is well worth the trek down south for some farm fresh produce, fresh air and country charm.



Rating: 8/10

Where: 184 Old Hume Highway Yerrinbool NSW.
Why: Farm fresh produce, and a great range of traditional apple varieties.
Cost: Produce is reasonably priced.
When: Open Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 4 pm (mid Feb - mid Aug).

Good for kids: Great for kids, they can see produce grown on the surrounding apple orchards, and they can stretch their weary legs from all that travelling.
Take away: Everything!

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#_yerrinbool
#_southern_highlands
#_growers
#_fruit
#_vegetables
#_apples
#_escape_the_city
#_farms

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