Wayne County Apple TourMonth-long harvest celebration kicks off in October

Wayne County, N.Y. - The award-winning Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour returns for the 24th year this October. As the largest apple-producing county in New York State, apple lovers across western and central New York have enjoyed Wayne County’s fall celebration since 1997. All month long, visitors are invited to pick fresh apples, admire the fall colors and enjoy time together having family fun. With activities ranging from corn mazes and tractor rides to wine and cider tastings, there’s plenty for friends, couples, and even Mom and Dad to enjoy.

New this year, the tour’s app will be available on the Google Play and Apple App Store. The browser-based app debuted in 2020 and won the Rochester PRism award for smartphone/tablet applications. The app allows users to visit stops on the trail and answer trivia questions to earn badges that serve as entries to the prize raffle at the end of October.

The app serves as a touchless way to participate in the popular Apple Tasting Passport game, this year a print version is also available. Apple (and app) lovers can access the app by visiting AppleTastingTour.com and clicking on the app buttons. On the app, discover all the tour stops and what makes them special, earn badges for answering a trivia question at the stops you visit and send in photos of your badges to be entered into weekly prize drawings.

Rootstock Ciders and Spirits returns to the trail this year. The distillery and cidery is a long-time supporter of the trail and adds its apple vodka, hard cider line and several other unique spirits such as AppleJack and Pear Brandy to the offerings for tour visitors in 2021.

Wayne County Tourism partners with 10 local businesses to host the tour. The Apple Tasting Tour is a self-driven tour, with fall and apple activities happening throughout the month of October. Visitors have the entire month to experience apple harvest at farm markets, apple orchards, wineries, and cideries. Every stop visited earns a badge on the tour app that can be emailed to the Tourism Office for a chance to win a prize at the end of the month. Access the tour app at www.appletastingtour.com.

Visitors are invited to:

  • Enjoy wine tastings at Young Sommer Winery and JD Wine Cellars at Long Acre Farms.
  • Try a glass of hard cider at Embark Craft Ciderworks at Lagoner Farms, at Old Goat Cidery at The Apple Shed, or at Rootstock Ciders & Spirits.
  • Pick your own apples at one of the many farms and apple orchards on the tour.
  • Escape the Amazing Maize Maze at Long Acre Farms.
  • Find your new favorite apple when you pick or pick up a new variety at one of the 10 farm stops.
  • Stock up on fall goodies like fresh pies, apple salsa, and homemade preserves.
  • Take home colorful mums and bright orange pumpkins.
  • Picnic or hike at one of the featured parks.
  • Enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks at The Bay Street Restaurant or Saltbox Smokehouse.

The 10 Apple Tasting Tour farm stops:

Apple Town Farm Market, 4734 Route 104, Williamson

Lagoner Farms & Embark Craft Ciderworks, 6895 Lake Avenue, Williamson

Long Acre Farms & JD Wine Cellars, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon

Morgan’s Farm Market, 3821 Cory Corners Road, Marion

Orbakers Farm Market, 3451 Lake Road, Williamson

Rootstock Ciders & Spirits, 3274 Eddy Rd, Williamson

The Apple Farm Stand at Stone Goose Farms 5630 Norris Road, North Rose

The Apple Shed & Old Goat Cidery, 3391 Fairville-Maple Ridge Road, Newark

Young Sommer Winery, 4287 Jersey Road, Williamson

Youngman Orchards Farm, 7315 Lake Road, Sodus

 

The 5 Apple Tasting Tour featured parks:

Chimney Bluffs State Park, 7700 Garner Road, Wolcott

B. Forman Park, 4507 Lake Road, Pultneyville

Palmyra Aqueduct Park, 2685 Route 31, Palmyra

Beechwood State Park, Lake Road, Sodus

Cornwall Preserve, 3975 Lake Road, Williamson

 

The 2 Apple Tasting Tour sponsor restaurants:

The Bay Street Restaurant, 8427 Bay Street, Sodus Point

The Saltbox Smokehouse, 6152 Barclay Road, Sodus

 

For information and directions to each site, visit www.appletastingtour.com for an interactive map, use the app or call Wayne County Tourism at 800-527-6510.

Video available for media: hi def clips of the Tour can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/30296959 (2011) and https://vimeo.com/77284761 (2013). Please contact Wayne County Tourism or Break the Ice Media at 585-394-0787 regarding usage.

Photos are available for media: hi res images can be viewed at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/12tphpss9dpknpq/AADnXzkSeXGXSrzlRyZbaeG3a?dl=0. Please attribute images to Wayne County Tourism.

About Wayne County's Apple Industry:

New York State has 51,097 acres of apple trees, 20,862 of which are in Wayne County, making it the top apple-producing county in the state. McIntosh is the top production apple in the county. Imported from Ontario, Canada shortly after its discovery in 1811, this apple thrived here because of its hardy constitution and love of cool nights. Other varieties grown in the county include Empire, Red Delicious, Cortland, Rome, Idared and Crispin among other lesser-known varieties.

Apple farming has been a way of life in Wayne County for centuries and is home to several multi-generational farms. One recognized Century Farm (100 years) – Lagoner Farms – is on the Tour, established in 1909.

For more information on Wayne County, the Apple Tasting Tour or the apple industry, contact Wayne County Tourism at 800-527-6510 or visit www.waynecountytourism.com

Media Contact:

Camille Zess

c: 585-752-2661