Adam's Apples

Beautiful Gould Hill Orchard , which had apparently closed for good as the owners prepared to retire, is again open for business under new management. Gould Hill, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, grows many heirloom apples. Efforts by the Leadbeater family to sell the farms to a community trust fell through last June. When their web page went dark, it seemed a sure bet that the 80 acres, with their beautiful view, would be chopped up into lots and developed. What a loss! Gould Hill has been a farm for more than 225 years. The Leadbeaters have run it for the last 70.  In addition to such old apples as Hubardston Nonesuch and Ribston and Cox's Orange Pippin, their Hampshire was discovered there. Kearsage grows only at Gould Hill.

Gould Hill Apple Orchard, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, is one of my all-time apple favorites.  The selection of heirloom and other apples for sale around Columbus Day weekend is truly fabulous, including one variety that is exclusive to Gould Hill. Besides the apples, Gould Hill presses its own cider and sells it unpasteurized, and offers sweeping panoramic views. There are no corn mazes or moon bounces or cider donuts, but there is an unusual small nature museum and guided nature trail.