Media Contact:

Camille Zess
o: 585-394-0787 x3
c: 585-752-2661

Wayne County, N.Y. – The award-winning Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour returns for the 23rd 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 are several virtual elements, including a virtual passport and virtual tasting. Instead of collecting physical stamps on a brochure map as in the past, the Apple Tour now has its own browser-based app created by Rochester developer Stqry (formerly OnCell). Starting October 1, Apple lovers can access the app by visiting AppleTastingTour.com and clicking on the app button. 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.

Also new this year are the owners of Orbaker’s Farm Market. Adam Peters, a fifth-generation farmer, and Rachel Peters now own and run the market. Their farm, Peters LakeAire Orchards, LLC now grows all the fruit sold at the market. They have also partnered with local vegetable growers to offer a large selection of produce. “We’ve had a great first year,” comments Rachel Peters, co-owner of Orbaker’s Farm Market. “The turnout and support from the community has been wonderful.” With the success in the first year of the market, the new owners are planning renovations of the open-air style market. The renovations will begin in Spring 2021.

Wayne County Tourism partners with 10 local businesses to host the tour. The tour runs throughout October, giving visitors a chance 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 the weekly prize. Access the tour app at www.appletastingtour.com.

UPick The Way. The Apple Tasting Tour is a self-driven tour, and health and safety are at the forefront of the tour this year. Rather than focusing on special events within a special weekend, the trail is instead inviting visitors to travel safely at their own pace throughout the month of October. All tour businesses are following State mandates and County protocols for health and safety measures. Visitors need to wear masks while on the premises of all tour stops and follow all instructions to ensure safety for themselves and others. At the same time, many of the locations and activities are able to safely continue in 2020.

Visitors are invited to:

• Enjoy wine tastings at Young Sommer Winery and JD Wine Cellars.
• Try a glass of hard cider at Embark Craft Ciderworks at Lagoner Farms, or Old Goat Cidery at The Apple Shed.
• 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
• 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
• Wager’s Country Apple, 7047 Main Street, Red Creek
• 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.

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.