a few precious
MEMORIES
The best peaches I have ever tasted. Not a bad one in the box. Going back for another bushel on Saturday. Freezing them for smoothies all year round. So amazing. Thank you Showalters for such kind service also.
- Stefan Bruce
Apple Varieties
GOLDEN DELICIOUS
The flavor of Virginia Golden Delicious apples is exceptional
and, because of an extended shelf life, these apples will last
and last. The lightly textured green/gold skin of the Goldens
protects the crisp interior and helps retain its sweet juiciness.
Great as a snack or a lunchbox treat, their firm flesh makes
Virginia Golden Delicious apples ideal for salads, pies,
applesauce, apple butter and anything else that calls for sliced
or cooked apples.
GOLDEN RUSSET
Golden Russet is usually considered as one of the best flavored of the American russet apples.
GRIMES GOLDEN
Great historical interest as the probable parent of Golden
Delicious, with similar sweet flavour and good keeping
qualities, and widely planted during early 20th century.
HONEYCRISP
Honeycrisp apples are honey sweet (with a touch of tart)
and amazingly crisp, some say “explosively crisp.”
JONAGOLD
Jonagold’s unique flavor makes it luscious enough to serve
by itself as dessert. This cross between Jonathan and Golden
Delicious results in a tasty treat.
LODI
An attractive yellow early-season apple with a sharp flavor,
best used for cooking.
MCINTOSH
PINK LADY
RED DELICIOUS
The fruit has red and green skin, a tart flavor, and tender
white flesh.
The McIntosh is well known for the pink apple sauce the
unpeeled fruit make. It is also well-suited for cider and pies.
Firm, crisp flesh and a unique, tangy-tart, sweet flavor are characteristic of this apple. Snackers and bakers give this apple high marks.
Virginia Red Delicious apples -- the apple of everyone’s eye
and palate.
Their crisp, sweet flesh, makes Virginia Red Delicious apples
ideal for lunches, snacks and salads.
Cider & Song
Sit back and enjoy some great local music and sip your favorite Old Hill Cider.
Saturdays at Showalter’s
Every Saturday in September and October and the first weekend of November from 9am to 5pm visit the orchard for a family fun-filled day! Local food trucks, apple cider donuts, sweet cider slushies, Old Hill Cider sales/tastings, pick your own apples, “already picked apples”, and much more!! Visit our Facebook page for more information.
ALBEMARLE PIPPIN
ARKANSAS BLACK
ASHMEADS KERNEL
This antique apple was one of Thomas Jefferson’s two favorites. It was grown at Monticello. The flesh is yellow and crisp. The flavor is complex and somewhat tart. One of the best keeping apples.
BRAMLEYS SEEDING
Bramley apples work well in pies, cooked fruit compotes and salads, crisps, and other dessert dishes. They are also used in a variety of chutney recipes, as well as in cider making.
FUJI
This deliciously sweet apple is actually a cross between alltime favorite Red Delicious and old Virginia Rawls Jennet
apples. Its appearance is a distinctive combination of red
blush, striped with green and yellow.
It’s excellent for snacking and for cooking. It stores well,
even without refrigeration. It is the perfect take along for
school lunches and picnics.
Arkansas Black apples are generally medium sized with a somewhat flattened shape. Generally a very dark red on the tree, occasionally with a slight green blush where hidden from the sun, the apples grow darker as they ripen, becoming a very dark red or burgundy color.
EMPIRE
One of the best McIntosh-style apples, with a good sweet
flavor. It is a Showalter family favorite for snacking.
GALA
Gala is one of the first Virginia apple varieties available.
However, unlike some mid-summer apples, they are
crunchy, juicy and full of flavor.
They are an excellent choice for snacking and salads and
hold up well in baking. Galas were developed in New Zealand
in 1934 as a cross between Kidd’s Orange Red Delicious and
Golden Delicious.
A very old apple variety, with a drab appearance which belies a unique peardrop flavor. Ashmead’s Kernel is also one of very small number of English apple varieties that also thrives in North America.
ESOPUS SPITZENBURG
One of the great American apple varieties, thought to be
Thomas Jefferson’s favorite. Noted for its spicy flavour, and
for its susceptibility to any and every disease afflicting apples.
GINGER GOLD
If the name Ginger Gold is unfamiliar, that’s because it is a
recentaddition to the list of apple varieties. It was discovered
growing among the twisted uprooted trees in a Virginia
orchard in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its
ancestors are the Golden Delicious and Albermarle Pippin
apples.
Crisp texture and excellent taste.
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How many guests can the venue comfortably accommodate?250 guests
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What is the required end time for my event?Events and use of the space at Showalter's Orchard and The Greenhouse must end no later than 11PM with after party options available. Staff is required to be present for the entire duration of the use of event space. Additonal staffing costs may apply based on guest count and hours of use.
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How many restrooms are available?On-Site restrooms are available for up to 150 guests, rented portable toilets are required for more than 150 guests.
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When can my vendors and guests arrive and be present onsite and when do they have to depart?The venue opens at 9 am the day of the main event. All decor & equipment must be removed by the following day at 10 am
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Where do my guests park?Parking is available onsite.
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Are there other local guest accommodations for out of town guests?Yes, we can provide you with an accomodations list.
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Are there Bridal Suite accommodations on site?We recommend you book the The Cider House Farmstay as a dressing/staging area. However, the restroom within the Greenhouse is fitted with a full length mirror, a comfy rug and seating for dressing and staging. The restroom is included with the rental fee.
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Is smoking allowed?The Greenhouses does not allow smoking indoors in accordance with state and local law. Designated outdoor smoking areas can be arranged for your guests upon request. Smoking outside of designated smoking areas, excessive cigarette or cigar butts, and/or smoking inside of venue or lodging facilities by any of your guests or vendors may result in an additional charge.
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Are candles allowed?All candles must be approved by Showalter's Orchard and the Greenhouse. All candles must be enclosed in glass. The flame must not reach higher than 2 inches below the height of glass. No candles are permitted on floor or walkways. Use of artificial candles along walkways is permitted but they may not be glass.
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Are there limitations on decor? Can we hang things from ceilings or walls?All event decorations and installations must be approved by Showalter's Orchard and The Greenhouse. No confetti may be used outside, unless it is ecofetti which is water-soluble. Client will be charged a cleaning fee of $250.00 if confetti is found on-site. Ecofetti, ribbon wands, glow sticks, and sparklers are allowed. Showalter's Orchard and The Greenhouse are not responsible for any items left behind. For liability reasons, guests are not allowed to stand on a chair or ladders. Coordination of pick-up and installation to additional approved decor must occur at least 24 hours prior to event. Additional fees may apply depending on the scale of the installation. No outside furniture allowed without prior approval. A $250 garbage pick up fee will be charged if any large or oversized items are left behind.
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Are there any restrictions on vendors I use?No, we are happy to host a wide variety of vendors, so long as they agree to follow our policies and provide us with proof of insurance where required.
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Do I need to provide my own insurance?We require your vendors provide a certificate of insurance (COI) that covers your vendors. The certificate holder should be listed as Showalter's Orchard and Greenhouse, LLC. We required no less than $1M combined single limit liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage. Such insurance shall name Showalter's Orchard and Greenhouse, LLC as additional insured. COI with the endorsement must be provided thirty (30) days prior to event.
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Is the venue wheelchair accessible?yes
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Do I need to hire an event planner or coordinator?We require a professional day of coordinator or point of contact at minimum. The name of the planner, coordinator or day of contact must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event.
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Does the Greenhouse have heat and AC?The greenhouse is outfitted with heat & AC units.
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Am I responsible for clean up?Our groundskeeping team will be responsible for leaves & debris, sweeping, repairs, bathrooms. Clients are responsible for breaking down centerpieces, candles, and additional decor from tables etc. Decor must be neatly packed away, and consolidated. You may store personal items (neatly packed and consolidated) overnight, but must arrange pick-up by 10 am the following day. Showalter's Orchard and the Greenhouse will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items.
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How do I book a date?A signed contract and a deposit of $1000 is required in order to book a date. The Remaining is due to us 30 days prior to your event. Showalter's Orchard and The Greenhouse accepts bank checks, wire transfer, PayPal, and most major credit cards. (Please note there is a 3% service fee for credit card payments)
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What is your cancellation and date change policy?Regardless of cancellation reason, non-refundable deposits upon signing contract will not be returned. Any costs to venue incurred in preparation for Client's event that cannot be recuperated will be charged to client in addition to non-refundable deposit. If date of event needs to be moved at any time, venue will use best efforts to transfer reservations to support new date. Any expenses incurred by Venue because of date change will be charged to Client.
Small, fine bead of CO2. Garnet with ruby hues. Bright fresh blackberry merge with crisp apple to create a refeshing and balanced cider with a dry, blackberry finish.
ROME BEAUTY
Virginia Rome apples are an old-time favorite. Their firm
flesh and mildly sweet flavor make them the quintessential
baking apple.
Rome apples are versatile when prepared in dishes ranging
from pies and pancakes to sauces and salads. When baked,
they retain their shape and texture and acquire a rich flavor.
ROXBURY RUSSET
Probably the first apple variety originating in North America,
as a seedling from a variety brought from Europe by early
settlers.
STAYMAN
For those in the know, Virginia Stayman apples are a
connoisseur’s delight. Their distinctive sweet-tart flavor,
snappy bite, satisfying texture and crimson color have made
them a favorite since their discovery by Dr. Stayman in 1866.
The Virginia Stayman is an ideal, all-purpose apple. As a
snack, it gets high praise for its robust taste and firm, crisp
flesh. The Stayman’s large conical shape holds up well under
heat, making it perfect for baking and cooking.
VIRGINIA CRAB APPLE
This small, tart apple is used in making tarts, jellies and
garnish. Some may be too tart to enjoy fresh, but some are
a refreshing and enjoyable combination of sweet and sour.
Crabapple fruit are mostly red, but some cultivars, such as
the ‘Golden Hornet’, are yellow. If crabapples are stewed and
the pulp is carefully strained and mixed with an equal volume
of sugar then boiled, their juice can be made into a delicious
ruby-colored crabapple jelly. A small percentage of crab
apples in cider makes a more interesting flavor.
WINESAP
This red as wine beauty of an apple is tart, tangy,
juicy and extra firm.