Put away that Orange pride for just a weekend.

Up on Apple Hill, just about 25 minutes from the Syracuse University campus, sits one of central New York’s largest apple orchards: Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard.

Established in 1911, Beak & Skiff began as a small family-owned orchard famous for its apple fritters. It has since turned into an apple-infused conglomerate comprised of an orchard, winery, cafe, bakery, general store and food hut.

Those who visit the orchard, which overlooks the town of Lafayette, have the option to spend their day picking apples, enjoying the food or shopping in the country store. For the over-21 crowd, there is also an opportunity to taste some of the apple wines and ciders.

“You don’t have to spend a penny,” owner Debby Skiff said. “You can just come and enjoy the scenery.”

Behind Beak & Skiff’s cascading series of barns are 600 acres of apple tress. Visitors can wait in line for tractor rides that take them back into the orchards where they are free to pick their share of apples or simply enjoy the views. During the colder months, bonfire pits are set up throughout the orchards where pickers can sit down and stay warm.

This massive orchard has about 15 different types of apples, including Gala, Northern Sky, Golden Delicious and Empire.

“Depending on the type of apple you want, they are available at different times throughout the season,” Skiff said.

Skiff also said that checking the picking schedule online before visiting the orchard is a way to see what kinds of apples are available for picking that day. The tractor rides are free for anyone, and if guests choose to pick apples, those can be weighed and paid for at the end of the trip.

The Beak & Skiff Café serves a variety of sandwiches and salads made with apples straight from the orchards. Some of the more popular items are the pulled-pork tacos with mango-apple slaw or the apple-chicken salad served on a croissant.

The café leads into the 1911 Tasting Room with a high gambrel ceiling decorated in dangling lights. Bartenders pass out sampling sheets to guests over 21 to taste the vodka, gin, five different hard ciders or three wines, all of which are made from the apples and are gluten-free. Outside the tasting room is a small store where the homemade wines and ciders, as well as an array of pints, mug and other glassware are sold.

The cafe is located next to the Apple Barn, where pre-picked apples are sold in crates or by weight.

“If the weather is bad, you can still come and eat and drink and get your fresh picked apples from the Apple Barn,” Skiff said.

In the bakery, a variety of pastries are sold daily. Apple pies and apple dumplings are a few of the most popular desserts, but Skiff said the doughnuts are truly the fan favorite. The doughnuts are made right in front of guests, using apple cider, and then doused with cinnamon sugar.

Beak & Skiff also features the cider press and beehive room, where visitors can watch as homemade honey is created using three beehive frames.

The orchard is open everyday during the season. However, weekends have a tendency to get busy, and the cafe can run out of its popular items. Skiff said weekdays seem to be best for avoiding lines and getting a little taste of everything.

“It’s really just a free day of entertainment at a destination right in our community,” Skiff said.

Published on October 2, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Abby: [email protected]