Orchard now closed

The orchard is now CLOSED. Be sure to sign up for email updates ready for next season (around November 2012).

Slim pickings

Season's Greetings to you all!

We would like to notify any prospective and returning customers that most of the cherries have now been picked.  If you are still interested in visiting to see what's left, please call first to check quantities and ease of picking - 08 8389 8574.

We expect to close the orchard for the last time this season at 4pm on Wednesday 28 December. 
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THANK YOU! We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who supported us this season. It was a pleasure guiding people through our orchard and we would be honoured to host you all again next season.  We hope you enjoyed your fruit and your time in the orchard with us.  Feel free to email any photos for our web page!


Warm regards and best wishes for the year to come,
Ron and Cheryl Burke

Now open daily due to popularity (despite the rain)!

Our cherries are in hot demand and we've extended our opening hours over the next week to accommodate everyone.  There are still plenty of cherries on the trees, so don't worry about missing out!

We are now open daily, 9am - 4pm (5pm Christmas eve), including Boxing day.  Please note we are closed Christmas Day.

Weekdays and weekends: 9am - 4pm
Christmas eve: 9am - 5pm
Christmas day: Closed
Boxing day: 9am - 4pm
27 December onward: Weekends, 9am - 4pm, weekdays by appointment

The weather has been variable these last few weeks, however we remain open despite the rain.  Our property and orchard is easy to access, even when wet. If you are unsure on the day you plan to visit, please just give us a call first (08 8389 8574).  Remember that conditions in Lenswood often vary from the suburbs and the weather bureau forecasts are not always accurate.

Also, a big thank you to those who have already visited the orchard!  We hope you're enjoying your fruit and it was a pleasure to meet you.

Off to a great start!

The orchard is now open and picking is off to a great start!

Please note that we have packing boxes available for a small fee, which is a tidy way of transporting and storing your cherries - or even giving them away as a gift!

Don't forget to plan your trip in advance.  Here are a few of our favorite local activities, great for gift shopping, preparing for a big Christmas feast, or escaping the city for some fresh country air:

• Woodside Cheese Wrights cellar door sales
  Open 7 days, 10am - 4pm - http://www.woodsidecheese.com.au/
• Melba's Chocolate Factory, Woodside
  Open 7 days, 9am - 4.30pm (extended trading close to Christmas) - http://melbaschocolates.com.au/
• Lobethal Bierhaus, cellar door, brewery and restaurant
  Open Fri - Sat (noon - 10pm) and Sun/hols (noon - 6pm) - http://www.bierhaus.com.au/
• Light of Lobethal - Carols in the Valley - heralds the beginning of Christmas in Lobethal
  Sunday 11 December, 7pm - 8.30pm, Lutheran Church, Main Street, Lobethal - http://www.lightsoflobethal.com.au/events/carols

Noticeboard: Orchard opens 9am Saturday 26 November 2011

We are excited to announce that the picking season has commenced and the orchard is OPEN from 9am, Saturday 26 November onward.

Don't forget to plan your trip in advance - there are loads of activities to do in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. We are only 10 minutes from 'Lights of Lobethal' - http://www.lightsoflobethal.com.au

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our site.  Please keep reading to find information on how to access some of the best cherries Adelaide has to offer!

Sincerely
Ron and Cheryl Burke
cheronenterprises@yahoo.com.au

Pick your own - how it works

Admission - Free!

Price - $5 per kilo (Cash sales only please)

Opening times: We are open weekends 9 am to 4 pm and weekdays by appointment. Closed Christmas Day.

Picking - Assistance will be available for anyone who has not picked previously.

What to bring - We suggest you bring hats and sunblock.  Closed-in shoes are essential. Feel free to bring a picnic rug and camera - the scenery is outstanding.  Packing boxes are available for a small fee.

Getting here - Our address is 109B Coldstore Rd, Lenswood.  We suggest you use a UBD to plan your route here (or the 'driving directions' feature at the top of this page), as GPS devices often recommend an indirect route.

Parking - Once you arrive, follow the signs to our designated parking area. There is a short walk from there to the orchard.

Questions?  Just email us - cheronenterprises@yahoo.com.au

About our cherries - 12 varieties!

• MERCHANT - usually ripens around the last week in November and this is the first cherry to ripen.
• CHELAN - usually ripens around the end of the first week in December – about 1 week after the Merchants.
• STELLA and COMPACT STELLA - usually ripen a few days after the Chelan.
• VAN, LAPIN, SIMONE and SUNBURST - all usually ripen quickly after the Stella varieties, often the week before Christmas.
• RAINIER – a cherry for the sweet tooth. These also ripen just before Christmas.
• KORDIA and SIR TOM - often ripen 1-2 days before Christmas Day, but may ripen between Christmas and New Year.
• SWEET HEART - the last cherry to ripen, normally the first week in January.

Please note that ripening times may vary with seasonal conditions.

Storing cherries

Once cherries are picked it is best to cool them as quickly as possible (to remove the field heat). This can be done by putting them in a cool esky.

Once home it is best to store cherries in the fridge, taking them out to warm to room temperature just before eating.

Any excess cherries can be frozen and thawed when needed, taking care to remove the stones if you leave them in before freezing.

Our picturesque property

 Below: Driveway access from Coldstore Road (shown from both directions)