Gravenstein Apple Orchards Disappearing in California

[grasswire]

The best apple of all is endangered.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/02/us/02apples.html?_r=1


SEBASTOPOL, Calif. — It would be almost impossible to visit this town, in the heart of Sonoma County, and miss the Gravenstein, the sweetly tart (or tartly sweet) apple whose name suggests a Transylvanian undertaker. The Gravenstein is harvested in August and often gone by Labor Day, and its name emblazons a local highway, a couple of schools, a town shopping center and an annual festival that draws thousands of visitors — and apple-a-day acolytes — to this mellow Bay Area getaway.

But despite its fame, the delicate little Gravenstein —the jewel of a once-thriving apple industry in the county — is in danger, its supporters say, in large part because of another product from Sonoma: wine.

“It’s grapes,” said Paul Kolling, a soft-spoken organic apple grower who farms 75 acres of Gravensteins in the picturesque hills outside town. “It’s just more profitable to grow grapes on the lands than apples anymore.”

Indeed, according to a recent report from the county agricultural commissioner, wine grapes were far and away the No. 1 crop in 2010, valued at about $390 million, while the Gravenstein checked in at No. 13, with a mere $1.7 million. And as goes profit, so goes the plow; land used for Gravensteins has dropped to 763 acres, the report said, down from 833 acres in 2009, part of a long decline in apples in the county. Wine grapes, meanwhile, took up more than 56,000 acres, with an array of cabernets, pinots and merlots soaking up sun and valuable water.

All of which has caused enough consternation among Gravenstein farmers and Gravenstein fans to set off a counteroffensive to “save the Gravenstein,” a motto seen on bumper stickers and handmade signs across the county. Leading the charge is a local chapter of the Slow Food movement, which promotes traditional and sustainably produced foods and which has enlisted dozens of restaurants to feature the apple in dishes and desserts, placed wooden boxes full of free Gravensteins all around Sebastopol and blanketed farmers’ markets with free samples of its juice.

[KT2000]

1. Gravensteins are the best!

Maybe Washington can convert their Delicious Apple orchards to Gravenstein and take up the slack. They do grow well here.

[grasswire]

2. There are Gravensteins in Wenatchee

But definitely not the predominant crop.

In front of me sits a slice of Gravenstein pie -- yum yum. You are right -- they are simply the best! I bought some more at the farmers market today, and they were beautiful. Next week I will take my red wagon and load up.

I like to make Gravenstein applesauce and freeze two cup portions in freezer bags. What a treat on a winter night -- warm applesauce.

[KT2000]

4. Gravenstein Pie?????

Swoon....Oh my - that sounds wonderful. Thanks for the tip. Our local (Olympic Peninsula) market brings fresh produce from Eastern WA (from his and surrounding farms) so I'll check out the apple supply there - gotta go with the pie right off the bat.
And they do make the best applesauce. I like to leave a little crunch in the apples. :hi:

[grasswire]

6. I've been eating Gravenstein pie all my life.

Yes, just the best. They do tend to cook down, so if you like firm apples in your pie, you'll have to find a way to bake it quicker and hotter, I guess. Or slice the apples bigger.

Your supplier could probably get you a box or two. Support the growers! The Gravensteins don't hold well -- use 'em or lose 'em.

[KT2000]

9. I like pie

any old way. That is something I find endearing about Obama - he has the pie thing too.
It's the applesauce I try to leave a little crunch to it and Gravensteins are good at that.
Yes - just shopping at my local market is supporting the local growers so I feel pretty good about that.

[NYC_SKP]

3. I'm sick to death of the takeover of good land by grape growers...

...the only thing worse is suburban sprawl.

x(

[truedelphi]

5. Same thing is happening in Lake County with the pears.

I love apples, and I love pears. But the trees of both fruits are uprooted and burned off so that the land owners can plant grapes.

Grapes require less maintenance, fewer hired hands, but there is a huge glut on the market. So I have no idea why people are doing this.

iIt makes me sad to think that an entire species of plant can disappear, even one that has commercial value, simply because it is not "trendy" enough.

[grasswire]

7. people just don't know

Pass the word. Save the gravensteins. I wrote to that Russian River Slow Food chapter to get one of their bumper stickers.

[msongs]

8. corporate subsidies perhaps? nt

[provis99]

10. Gravensteins; my favorite apple.

People who haven't tried Gravenstein apples have really missed out; you will never want a MacIntosh or a Red Delicious again!

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.