We were excited to see MacGregor Orchard featured in an article by Southeastern Toyota Finance. We are sharing our part of the article (and a link to the full article) below for you enjoyment.
An apple picking, wine tasting fall escape to Greenville County, SC
For more than 20 acres in the shade of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rows and rows of fruit trees and tangles of vines stretch toward the sun. And it’s all owned by Stephens and Julia Gregory, the husband-wife team behind MacGregor Orchard, who grow 11 different fruits in more than 100 varieties.
The orchard opens in June each year with peaches, plums, prunes, and more, but the fall months (September and October) are prime apple season. You can roam across the mountainous property, picking apples by hand along with other fall fruits like figs, grapes, and Asian pears. And of particular note: if someone in your party has limited mobility, the team at MacGregor will be happy to give you a lift in a wagon pulled by their tractor.
MacGregor Orchard offers more than whole fruit; they also make fruit products on site, including a beautiful variety of apple goods. Make sure to try the fresh-pressed raw apple cider because the Gregorys hand-select each apple they press, which guarantees a final product that is both sweet and tart. The cider is also turned into jelly, which you can purchase in the market, alongside apple sauce, apple butter (sugar or sugar-free options), honey, and local pasture-raised black Angus Beef.
A visit is about more than just buying or picking your fruit because the Gregorys love to educate their guests about the orchard’s operations. Take some time to learn how apples or other fruits are grown and processed or how they protect and successfully harvest honey – even though local bears try their best to interfere!
For your visit in the fall, you’ll also find seasonal items like pumpkins and muscadines – plus a photo opportunity complete with hay bales and pumpkins. MacGregor Orchard is usually open every day except Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit their website or Facebook page to learn more.