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 Well known for its versatility as
a terrific eating, sauce and pie apple, the Gravenstein has long been a favorite in Sonoma County.
The Gravenstein apple has a
crisp and juicy texture, and a good old-fashioned sweet- tart flavor.
They are not good "keepers", but who wants to store them anyway...you
want to EAT them! They are dense with flavor, which makes them
perfect for sauces and pies.
The Gravenstein ripens in late July to early August, making an
early appearance on the market in North America. Its arrival
is always eagerly anticipated— the first crunchy bite,
with the sweet apple aroma, is confirmation that Sonoma
County is a wonderful place to be!
Favorite apple recipes by Gravenstein Apple Fair chefs
Tidbits about the Gravenstein
apple
| A little bit of history... |
| ~ |
The Gravenstein apple is believed
to have originated in Denmark and/or Germany, in the gardens
of the Duke Augustenberg, Castle Graefenstein, Schleswig-Holstein. |
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Reportedly the apple traveled to North America
via the Russians, who planted Gravenstein apple orchards at
Fort Ross in the early 1800's. |
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Nathaniel A. Griffith, dubbed the "Grandfather
of the Gravenstein", became one of the largest Gravenstein
growers in Sonoma County, at the turn of the century. His ranch
is now known as Griffith Wood. |
| ~ |
In the early 1900's, apples were quickly
becoming a major industry in Sonoma County, along with apple
processing — drying, canning, vinegar
and apple brandy. By 1919 over 11,000 acres were apple orchards. |
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The first apple show was in 1910 - it (and
those following) exhibited elaborate displays made of apples,
such as a locomotive, clock and replica of a local landmark.
(photos of these amazing exhibits are in Images
of America, Sebastopol; published 2003 by The
Western Sonoma County Historical Society and Arcadia Publishing) |
~ |
Sonoma County Farm Trails revived the Apple
Fair in 1973 at the Enmanji Temple and moved to Ragle Ranch
Park in 1977. |
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| Other bits of interest... |
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The Gravenstein apple tree has a unique root
system, that thrives in the fog and soil of the Sebastopol
area. |
| ~ |
There are three regions where the Gravenstein
thrives: Sebastopol, Sonoma County, Annapolis Valley in Nova
Scotia and Germany. |
| ~ |
Horticulturalist Charles Ramage Prescott
cultivated Nova Scotia's apple industry from 1811 to 1859.
He introduced many varieties that are still enjoyed today, including the Gravenstein
apple that Nova Scotia is famous for.
|
| ~ |
The
Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity Ark of Taste has the
selected the (Sebastopol) Gravenstein apple to be listed in its
catalog of "forgotten flavors". Some of the criteria for selection are "it must
be of outstanding quality in terms of taste" and "be threatened
with either real or potential extinction". Read
more... |
| ~ |
The Slow Food Nova Scotia Convivium has submitted
an application for the Annapolis Valley Old-Fashioned
Gravenstein apple to be included on the The
Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity Ark of Taste. Read
more... |
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Apple growing
acreage in Sonoma County: |
| 1919 |
11,000 acres |
| 1945 |
14,000 acres |
| 1971 |
9,000 acres |
| 1993 |
5,000 acres |
| 2005 |
2,992 acres (932 Gravensteins) * |
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| Got Info?? |
If you have some interesting stories,
facts or information you'd like to share about the Gravenstein
apple - please email
us about it!
|
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Sonoma County Farm Trails Gravenstein apple growers:
Resources and more information on the Gravenstein
apple
 |
Images
of America, Sebastopol; published 2003
by The Western Sonoma County Historical Society and Arcadia
Publishing (also includes history on the Gravenstein
Apple Fair history) |
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