Andy Mariani

Cherry Man of the Year - 2009

Andy Mariani, educated in both horticultural and behavioral sciences, continues the family tradition of growing sweet cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums, but he also has a reputation as a highly innovative orchardist who utilizes some of the newest agricultural research to develop better farming techniques. As a member of the California Cherry Advisory Board’s research committee, he has helped initiate research on cherry growing.

Another of Andy’s interests is the maintaining of one of the largest collections of stone fruit varieties on the west coast and during the summer months he personally hosts fruit tastings and tours. Andy is a noted fruit expert for the California Rare Fruit Growers organization. He's passionate about what he does - often teaching classes of Master Gardeners (Santa Clara County) and horticulture students at the local high school as well as gardening forums on the internet. Andy is a contributing writer to the Oxford Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink in America. He has also authored a book on fruit varieties, written many articles, and lectures on fruit and fruit culture.

Apricot Still Life

Andy’s Orchard is part of a long family tradition of fruit culture in the Santa Clara Valley, California. It is operated by well-known fruit expert Andy Mariani and is situated on a family-owned 30-acre farm in the Morgan Hill countryside. Andy’s Orchard is only fifteen minutes south of metropolitan San Jose, yet its rural setting near the gentle hills east of the town of Morgan Hill seems a world apart. Rows of carefully tended orchard trees, a cluster of farm buildings, rustic farm stand and country store await the visitor.

The family orchard is located on a very special site in the Santa Clara Valley where terroir, the French word referring to the combined influence of the local terrain and climate, greatly affects the quality of the fruit. We feel it is one of the most favored spots in all of California to grow superior fruit. Unlike California’s hot interior farmlands, the Santa Clara Valley’s warm summer days and cooler nights allow the fruit to remain on the tree a bit longer thus favoring the development of riper fruit - bursting with flavor and character. However, we also feel that it is more that just the site; it is a dialogue between terroir and technique, between nature and the hand of man.

The Mariani family has deep roots in the Santa Clara Valley. Joseph Mariani emigrated from Europe and settled here in the early 1930’s. Joseph, a long time vineyardist, was keenly aware of the importance of the site to growing quality fruit, and in 1957 found and purchased the present orchard location, a sunny south-facing slope with well drained alluvial soil, free of spring frosts, with ample water for irrigation. Here, in this warm coastal valley, tempered by the cooling influence of the Pacific, he and his family set out to grow some of the finest fruit in a region already known for the quality of its agricultural products.

In the beginning, apricots and prunes were grown, but cherries were soon added, followed by peaches, nectarines and market plums. Other fruits were added by the artisanal fruit grower in the family, Andy, who is continuing his father’s tradition of growing fruits of distinction including heirloom and specialty varieties. One notable food writer, who has visited both our little orchard and the tiny vineyard in France known for its rare and great vintage, has acclaimed our orchard the Chateau Petrus of stone fruit.

Visitors who travel from San Francisco into the Santa Clara Valley can no longer view the vast stretches of orchard and vineyard which once graced this fertile region. The old farmsteads have given way to Silicon Valley’s high tech industrial parks, strip malls and spreading housing developments; only a handful of orchards remains to carry on the rich tradition of fruit culture in the valley.

Andy’s Orchard isn’t fancy or modern, but we feel it’s a special place where the old art of fruit growing is being practiced with pleasure in much the same manner as it was done many years ago. If you are in the neighborhood, you’re invited to share our enthusiasm for fine fruit.

Prancing Pig Weather Vane

Antique Tractor

Andy’s Orchard is a small business: its fruit is artisanal fruit - tree-ripened fruit - grown, harvested, packaged and handled with special care, in a manner befitting fruit of extraordinary quality. It starts in the orchard with compost, cover crops, gypsum and natural humates that are routinely added to the soil to improve fertility and tilth. To reduce reliance on conventional farm inputs, emphasis is placed on the regular monitoring of the orchard in a biologically integrated program to maintain the vitality of our orchards. We believe that our customers and the general public are best served by our commitment to consciously grown fruit.

Andy's Orchard award-winning tree-ripened fruit has been featured in Gourmet and Sunset magazines. Such fruit is bursting with flavor and character, but often it's too juicy and tender for conventional delivery.

Special attention during harvesting also insures that our tree-ripened fruit reaches the customer in perfect condition. All of our fruit is harvested by hand when the fruit is mature; very delicate varieties like ‘Blenheim’ apricots and ‘Rainier’ cherries are handpicked in specially designed low-volume containers to minimize bruising. All peaches, nectarines and plums are also picked and packed by hand, never mechanically. Ours is a more natural product that is never de-fuzzed, dipped in fungicides, waxed or polished - premium fruit that’s not mass produced but grown in small quantities for our customers who expect the very best.

An heirloom fruit is any fruit that has not been sold commercially for about 50 years or more. Typically, these varieties have superior eating qualities at the expense of qualities needed for mass production such as firmness and shelf life.

Andy’s Orchard is a small fruit grower committed to growing and marketing fruits of superior eating quality. Heirloom fruits are still found at some fruit stands, farmers’ markets and specialty markets. These venerated fruits from the past have distinctive, old-fashioned flavors but are rapidly disappearing from many markets. Such is the case with the ‘Blenheim’ apricot, the quintessential apricot with its rich, aromatic flavor but delicate texture. It is being replaced by very firm, mass-produced fruit with visual appeal but often without much flavor. Other old favorites that we continue to grow are ‘Santa Rosa’ plums and ‘Elberta’ peaches. The following is a list of some of the rare heirloom fruits that we grow but are becoming increasingly harder to find elsewhere.

Store Hours:

	Weekdays	Weekends
SUMMER (May-Sept)	10 AM-5 PM	10 AM-4 PM
FALL (Oct)	10 AM-5 PM	CLOSED
HOLIDAYS (Nov-Dec)	10 AM-5 PM	10 AM-4 PM
WINTER-SPRING (Jan-April)	By Appointment Only	By Appointment Only

The farm stand features fruits grown in our own orchard.

Dried Fruit Packs

We specialize in fruits that are tree-ripened and offer a tremendous selection of stone fruits with many varieties of cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and plumcots, even some that are especially rare and difficult to find. Included are heirloom fruits, old standard varieties, and the newest variety introductions. Our award winning fruits have been highlighted in articles appearing in Gourmet and Saveur magazines, and the Los Angeles Times. A harvest calendar is available upon request. It has complete descriptions of the varieties we grow (almost 100 different kinds). Or, have a look at our online Harvest Calendar

Chocolate Dipped Dried Fruit & Nuts

The country store also offers a full line of dried fruit, nuts, fruit confections, hand-made candies, gifts items, and other local produce and products. The store is a little museum decorated with farm antiques and historical photographs providing a nostalgic glimpse of the valley’s farming heritage.

Fresh Fruit in Season

Andy’s Orchard is well known for having one of the largest selections of stone fruits in California and each year hosts several fruit tastings where guests are invited to taste and evaluate for themselves the many different fruit varieties grown here. Similar to wine tastings, another popular California past time, fruit tastings allow visitors to taste as many as 60 different types at one time. Participants are instructed to look for and taste the special flavors and textures in certain varieties. These tastings are enjoyed by fruit experts, connoisseurs, or customers who simply want to taste and decide for themselves what varieties they like. Although some varieties at the tastings are very rare, are grown in very small quantities and are not available for purchase at our fruit stand, participants are urged to asked about their current or future availability. Usually, there are cherry, apricot and several peach/nectarine/plum tastings scheduled during the summer. Sometimes cooking demonstrations are also part of the festivities. See the Event Calendar or call for information.

Talks are often planned in conjunction with our tours. Termed 'Field Days', they provide an opportunity for visitors from urban areas to connect with the farmer and learn more about how the food they eat is grown. Depending on the weather and the time of the year, events may be planned to include touring of the farm stand, the store/museum, the orchard, landscaped areas, the packing and drying facilities. Your guide will cover the history of fruit, the Santa Clara Valley, fruit growing, marketing, varieties, and so on. Small and large group tours should be scheduled well in advance. Ideal times for tours are during the harvest months (June to September) and also during blossom time in March. Andy’s Orchard may be considered a destination for group outings and day trips; we have some picnic facilities and restrooms available. Check the Event Calendar or call for scheduling.

A “Harvest Walk” is our own special version of “U-Pick” that’s often conducted in conjunction with a short tour of the orchard. Your guide will lead you through the orchard where many delectable fruit varieties are at their peak and ready for harvest. You’re welcome to savor firsthand the various fruits that are ripe at the time. It is indeed a feast for all of the senses including the tactile experience of harvesting one’s own fruit. Each participant receives a bucket in order to pick his or her favorites. The fruit bucket is then carried back to our farm stand for weighing and purchase. It is really a fun way for customers to discover and partake of some of the finest and freshest fruits available anywhere. Even during peak harvest periods our Harvest Walks are scheduled only on certain days, mostly on the weekends. Please visit the Event Calendar or call ahead for times and details.

Special Event Calendar 2010* The following Tour, Tasting, and Harvest Walk events are currently planned: June 19th and June 20th (Father's Day) Over 30 of varieties cherries. Harvest Walk both days. July 3rd Many apricots, some cherries, peaches, nectarines and plums. Harvest Walk July 18th Late apricots, early peaches, nectarines and plums Possible Harvest Walk August 7th Many peaches, nectarines plums and pluots. Often as many as 60 different varieties. Harvest Walk August 15th Later varieties of peaches, nectarines, plums and pluots. Possible Harvest Walk All tours begin at 10:00 AM Note: Tours are $15 per person. Seniors are $12 per person. Children under 10 are free. Please check ahead to confirm dates, which are subject to change. For groups of five or less no reservations are required. For groups of 6 or more, please call ahead and let us know the number in your group and the date you plan to attend. Private tours can be arranged for groups of 50 or more. No pets, please. * These events are subject to the weather and the availability of fruit on the day of the event.

Sugar Plums

Sugar Plums are a Seasonal Item available only during the Christmas Season beginning in November. Click Here To Buy Some Sugar Plums!

Although visions of sugar plums have danced through many a child’s imagination in Christmases past, few people today really know what sugar plums are or what they should taste like. Before chocolate and refined sugar entered the candy-making industry, sugar plums were the most popular confection. They were favored by such historic figures as King Ferdinand, Queen Isabella and Benjamin Franklin.

Although there are various recipes, sugar plums have always been a combination of available fruits, nuts and honey and/or raw sugar. Our California version is made with dried apricots, walnuts, almonds, fresh lemon juice and pure honey with a little added sugar. This incredibly rich and flavorful filling is wrapped in a large, sweet dried plum. (Formerly called prunes.)

Except for a touch of rum-butter flavoring and glace cherry topping, we use all natural ingredients. For children, sugar plums are a healthful alternative to the usual holiday candy. Adults will also find them a festive dessert treat - a fitting conclusion to a midwinter night’s repast.

These sugar plums are exclusively ours - available in 8 ounce or 1 pound trays and in gift boxes. A seasonal item, available only from November through December.

Starting in June we have online shipments available for our Fresh Fruits products. First to ship are Cherries, followed by Stone Fruits (apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines, and pluots). For a wonderful treat for yourself or someone special, why not sign up for Weekly Delivery of our best fruits starting in late June.

We will ship your fruit only when it is at its peak in ripeness and eating quality. While it is impossible to predict the ideal time for shipping, please check our Harvest Calendar for approximate harvest dates for specific varieties or call us regarding ripening times for each variety. Generally, our harvest season begins about June 15th and ends about September 1st.

Shipments are packed by hand into specially designed, foam-cushioned containers to assure your fruit will arrive to your door as fresh, perfect and delicious as we describe it. We use only the most effective delivery services available so that your order will arrive on time. Orders are shipped by overnight delivery (FEDEX, DHL Express or CALIFORNIA OVERNIGHT) only. Orders can only be sent to one address. If you need to send fruit to multiple addresses, please make one order for each destination.

Unfortunately it is not possible to guarantee ship or delivery dates. It is therefore important for each customer to be available to receive delivery or arrange to have someone else accept delivery. Even if it's OK to leave the package without a signature, it is important to realize that our fruit is highly perishable. These shipments can also be sent to others as gifts, but the gift recipient should also be aware of the pending delivery. Please call 408-782-7600 if you have any questions.

All Fresh Fruit products include shipping charges in the price. Shipping charges have been increasing but we're currently holding the line on price increases. For a given package size there is only one price for shipping to anywhere in the continental United States; however, we reserve the option to charge additionally for very remote or rural zip codes or where timely delivery may be more difficult or problematic.

Here are a few of our more popular varieties of fresh fruit

Apricots (Blenheim)	White Peaches (Silver Logan, Summersweet, Sierra Blanca and Donut)
Yellow Peaches (Angelus, Baby Crawford, Loring, Regina, Suncrest and Zee Lady)	White Nectarines (Heavenly White, Arctic Jay and Snow Queen)
Rainier Cherries	Plums (Examples: Burgundy, Laroda, Green Gage, Santa Rosa, Golden Nectar and Emerald Beaut)

The modest but colorful gardens and landscape plants near the farm stand and around the old family farm house attract much attention and are photographed by many admiring visitors. The gardens feature Mediterranean, subtropical, cacti and succulent plants along with plants that attract hummingbirds (aloe, echium, kniphofia, honeysuckle) and butterflies (buddleia, lantana, salvia). The orchards in bloom are also a beautiful sight.