Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill: reservations for picking apples are open, but spots are limited this year

Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, 1860 Black Highway, York, South Carolina, will open for their fall season on August 15, 2024.

Visiting the orchard is a much-loved local tradition, and a tasty way of welcoming the fall season and everything it includes, especially apples.

Windy Hill features U-pick apples, fresh pressed apple cider, hard cider, apple products and more. Especially popular are Windy Hill’s hot apple cider doughnuts.

We have the highlights of Windy Hill’s schedule below, but make sure to double check on their website and Facebook page, to make sure that nothing has changed since we published this post, and to get all the details.

Apple Cider Donuts

One of the most craved products of Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery are the apple cider donuts. You can watch them as they’re made, making them very hard to resist.

U-pick apples at Windy Hill

Pick-your-own apples will start in early September. You need to pre-purchase a reservation for picking apples. Everyone two years of age and older must have a reservation. Learn about reservations.

The apple available for U-pick is Stayman Winesap, which is excellent for cider, apple sauce or baking.

Windy Hill’s Farm Stand and Cider Bar

Once Windy Hill’s Farm Stand opens for the season on August 15, 2024, it will be open from Thursday to Sunday every week, for buying to-go apples and enjoying tastings.

Enjoy fresh pressed cider, apple cider donuts, apple cider slush, fried apple pies, fried pork skins, soft pretzels and more. 

Windy Hill creates Ginger Gold Hard Cider, fermented with Stayman Winesap apples from their orchard. The hard cider bar is generally open on Friday evenings, and Saturdays and Sundays, and tastings are available. Check Windy Hill’s calendar for details.

Hayrides and Special Events

Hayrides are available on select dates in the fall, starting on October 19, 2024.

Please see the calendar for the dates and times of hayrides.

The hayride will take you on a quick trip around the orchard and costs $3 a person, with kids under 2 free with a paying adult. You buy tickets at the farm stand or cider bar. Schedule is subject to change, so check the website and Facebook page.

Live music is also scheduled on select dates.

There will also be fire pits on select evenings.

Typically, Windy Hill Orchard holds the very popular Apple Harvest Festival on the 3rd Saturday in October. It’s a ticketed event with limits on attendance. It always sells out. Tickets will be available mid-September. Check back soon for details.

 

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