Ken K.
Yelp
Back in the day apples were more known for the fruit that they are, their crisp, tart, and sweet natural flavors for enjoyment as is, or making all sorts of things with them (including juice, cider, hard cider, and of course...good ol' American apple pie...before it was fornicated in the movie American Pie just because some high school twit said that sex was like good ol' warm apple pie...). Unfortunately the fruit is now more synonymous with electronic gizmos that have the letter i in front of it from a company out of Cupertino.
Philo Apple Farm sits right off the 128, where it is a lot easier to spot driving westward (where the Organic Apple Farm sign can be sign). If you are coming from the Mendocino side eastward, you might miss it...and if you see Gowan Apple Farm, (non organic with 30+ varieties) make a U-turn. The family that owns PAF, aka Bates & Schmitt, also run the Farmhouse Mercantile in Boonville. The extended family also operate The Boonville Hotel and a few other businesses. The biggest claim to fame being that one of the family members used to be the original owners of The French Laundry in Yountville, before they sold it to Thomas Keller.
PAF is not just an Apple Farm...the grounds can be rented for special events, weddings, and there are cottages if you prefer to stay overnight. Certain cooking classes are held in the main building (fully equipped with a professional kitchen) for a fee (see website).
Nearest the entrance is the farm stand, where it is all done on the honor system. You pick the apples you want, weigh them yourself, calculate the cost, then write down what you buy, and the cost in their log book, then insert the money into their box. Need change back? Yeah you have to help yourself too. Juice and cider are in the refrigerator, and runs about $1.50 for a cup, or $6 for a bigger jar of it (the stuff is great). Hard cider with alcohol? Why yes...but no sampling of that one. Chutney, jams/jelly, apple cider vinegar? Sure....but it is not cheap.
The varieties of apples are fewer compared to the non organic competition next door, but you can be assured they are of very good quality. This might be what's around this time of year
Golden Russet - Olde US cider apple, fully russeted skin with a sugary dense flesh. Historically this apple was often mentioned and rated higher than the similar Roxbury Russet.
Roxbury Russet - might be the first apple developed in the New World. A fine cider apple with firm, coarse flseh. Equally suited for cooking and eating out of hand.
King David - hybrid of Jonathan and Arkansas Black. Also used in cider making with a yellowfish coarse, crisp, and tender flesh.
Wickson - introduced by an Albert Etter, named after E.J. Wickson, a famous California pomologist. Has the zing of a crab apple, but plenty of sweetness to balance it out.
McInTosh - no not the name of the personal computer by the Cupertino company, but this one does hail from the East Coast, the parent apple of Cortland Empire, Macoun, and Spartan. They spoil quickly, so consume as soon as you can.
Black Twig - firm, crisp, and fine flesh, with a nice tart. High in Tannin and also great for cider.
Lady - Pomme d'Api or the Christmas Apple, grown by Louis XIII in his orchards. Crisp white flesh with an intense almost citrus like flavor.
Spotted some quince (maybe not for sale), and a few pears, but it was mostly apples, at the farm stand.
The two black dogs on the premise look ferocious but are extremely friendly. They love visitors and aren't even afraid of incoming traffic. One of them loves eating apples...