Orchard
Volunteers get ready to hand out thousands of Stanthorpe apples at the Apple and Grape Festival in March 2010
Stanthorpe apple display at the 2009 Royal Brisbane Show
The Queensland apple industry is based solely on the so-called Granite Belt around Stanthorpe, on the Queensland/New South Wales border. The region is well named with clearly visible large granite outcrops and balancing boulders from the Triassic age (251-205 million years old).
Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature recorded in Queensland at -11 °C in July 1895. In winter Stanthorpe is frequently the coldest town in the state with sleet and light snowfalls recorded from time to time. The Granite Belt is therefore one of the few areas in Queensland with a climate suitable for pome fruit production. The area’s elevation of 800-1000 metres above sea level results in a cool summer climate, which is brilliant for growing large and juicy apples and pears. In 2009 there were approximately 45 apple growers in Queensland, many of whom have farmed in the district for generations and who also grow stonefruit, pears and cherries. The region could be called “Little Italy” because of the large proportion of inhabitants with Italian ethnic origins.
When minerals were found on the Granite Belt large numbers of tin miners moved to the area. The name Stanthorpe derives from the Latin: stannum (tin) and thorpe (village). When tin mining declined in the region the locals started to diversify and people began growing large quantities of stone fruit and grapes. For more detail log onto www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au.
Apple orchards are located around the northern and western Granite Belt villages of Cottonvale, Thulimbah, The Summit, Applethorpe and Pozieres which are all within 15 minutes drive of the heart of Stanthorpe.
According to Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) the national pome fruit body, in 2008 Queensland was the third largest apple producer in Australia. The main apple varieties grown in the Granite Belt at present include: Delicious Striped Red, Royal Gala, Granny Smith and Cripps Pink (marketed under the trade mark name Pink Lady™).
Claire Sutton
Sutton's Factory
How long have you grown apples? In 1994 David and Ros Sutton purchased one of the original apple farms on the Granite Belt. They followed traditional orcharding practices until 2000 when they diversified into value-adding, making pure varietal apple juice and alcoholic apple cider.
How long has the orchard been in the family? 14 years.
How many generations have been apple farmers? One
What’s special about Sutton’s? David and Ros Sutton own a 12 hectare (30 acre) property at Thulimbah just north of Stanthorpe on Queensland’s Granite Belt. They grow 30 varieties of apples. The business is also home to a juice factory, cidery, distillery and a shed café with a menu focusing on apple based ‘goodies’.
Today Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cidery and Distillery is a multi-faceted boutique business that has grown to include an on-farm cellar door open seven days a week selling varietal apple juice, sparkling cider, apple brandy, grappa and naturally fermented apple cider vinegar. Our goal is to give our customers access to the best quality fresh produce and value-added products available direct from our orchard. A very popular activity for farm visitors is picking the tree-ripened fresh apples that taste wonderful.
When you visit our farm, you can:
The farm is open seven days a week between 10am to 5pm.
Varieties grown: The Suttons have planted more than 30 varieties of apples on the farm including French cider apple varieties and more traditional eating apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Cripps Pink (sold as Pink Lady™), Jonathon, Mutsu, Gala, Summer Delicious, Early Delicious, Lady Williams, Winesaps and Coxs Orange Pippin. In addition to apples, the family’s orchard grows small quantities of nectarines, apricots and lemons.
Who do you sell to?: Sutton’s originally focused on commercial distribution, selling to the supermarkets. However, in response to falling apple prices and changing market conditions, the couple began value-adding with the development of pure varietal apple juice in 2000. The juice was soon followed by a range of sparkling and still ciders crafted in accordance with traditional English and French styles, real fruit liqueurs, brandies, grappa, conserves and vinegars. The shed retail outlet was opened in 2002, selling direct to the public in season produce and the Sutton’s wide range of local fruit products. Today, the family’s business has grown from a traditional apple orchard to a multi–faceted boutique business incorporating a juice factory, cidery, distillery and home style café.
The farm shop offers the ‘pick your own’ apples experience during the produce season between mid January and June. A wide range of varieties including Cripps Pink (sold as Pink Lady™), Granny Smith, Mutsu, Royal Gala, Old Style Delicious and Jonathons are available for ‘Pick Your Own’ adventures.
These moist muffins are best served fresh and just warm.
Ingredients:
125gm melted butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
¾ cup milk
1 ½ cups plain flour
1 tblsp baking powder
½ tsp cinnamon
2 cups peeled and diced granny smith apples from Sutton’s (we use 2 apples)
Topping:
¼ cup finely chopped pecan nuts
¼ cup brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C.
In a large bowl combine melted butter, sugar, beaten egg and milk. Sift in flour, baking powder, apple and cinnamon. Stir gently until just combined. The mixture should be lumpy, not smooth.
Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over muffins. Bake 15-20 minutes until lightly browned. Makes 12.
This recipe makes about 3/4 cup (enough for 4 to 6 servings of salad).
It takes about 10 minutes to make, start to finish!
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Sutton’s apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup Sutton’s Granny smith apple juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (cut in tiny pieces)
Put into a jar:
Put the top on tightly.
Shake!
Shake it again before you put it on the salad.
Note: Apple Juice Vinaigrette keeps for months in a tightly-covered jar in the refrigerator.
Website: http://www.hivalue.com.au
Other items: All products including our varietal apple juice, apple cider, real fruit liqueurs, brandies and grappa, are hand made by David on the premises using fresh local produce. David is constantly researching and refining his techniques to provide the best quality to his growing customer base. We grow fruit on our farm using environmentally aware orcharding practices. Some of our products include:
Varietal Apple Juice - In their juice factory David and Ros produce varietal apple juice quite unlike any other available in the market. It has that super fresh varietal flavour that can only be obtained by bottling the freshly pressed juice immediately. Varieties available vary depending on the season and demand but may include: Granny Smith, Jonathon, Royal Gala, Fuji, Winesap, Mutsu, Cripps Pink (sold as Pink Lady™) and Cripps Red (sold as Sundowner™). Adding the juice of other fruits to the apple juice has produced an increasingly popular and diversified range of juices which currently include; apple with ginger, lemon, grape, beetroot and lemon, mandarin and orange. All juices are totally free of additives and have been minimally filtered to retain the freshest flavour possible.
Cider - Growing in popularity is the Sutton’s cider which is sparkling and either dry or semi-sweet. It follows the traditions of the English and French ciders.
Brandy - Producing apple brandy is another of David’s specialties. Brandies are distilled wines. The term brandy is used specifically to refer to spirits distilled from any fermented fruit.
Vinegar - Naturally fermented apple cider vinegar is popular both as a gourmet condiment and as a bulk product suitable for veterinary purposes.
What’s special about your business: Vincenzo's at the Big Apple is the Granite Belt's Premier one-stop shop where you can taste-test the region. We stock a huge range of liqueurs and local wines. Our deli is packed with produce - from antipasto ingredients, pasta and sauces, and freshly baked bread to quail and certified wild rabbit, and everything in between. In the gift shop, you will find an eclectic range of gifts, including wine-bottle holders, hand-bags, beauty products and confectionery.
Lunch in the cafe might be one of our famous home-made pies or something from the buffet. There's a great range of teas and coffees and homemade gelati ice-cream. We can also provide information on the local wineries and attractions.
Contact: for more information or to make a booking please call 07 4683 2033 or email sales@vincenzos.com.au
Website: http://www.vincenzos.com.au
How long have you grown apples? I have been heavily involved in the orchard for about 16 years. My interest in orcharding began as a child when my parents and grand parents were running the farm. My parents Rino and Fernanda are still very involved in the business.
How long has the orchard been in the family? Since 1937 when my grandfather and his brother bought the farm.
How many generations have grown apples on the farm? Four. My Grandfather bought the original farm with his brother and their father. My great grandfather only stayed in Australia about ten years to help his sons get established, then returned to Italy to be with his wife and the rest of his family.
What varieties do you grow? Summerdel, Royal Gala, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathon, Fuji, Cripps Red (sold as Sundowner™) and Cripps Pink (sold as Pink Lady™). The Summerdel variety is relatively unknown and originated in Stanthorpe. It is an early season apple which is picked in mid January.
What is your favourite variety? Fuji
What do you love about orcharding? The freedom to be my own boss and the satisfaction of producing a good product.
What do you want to say to Aust consumers? Small imperfections on the skin of an apple do not affect its taste. A paler Granny Smith is always sweeter than a very green one.
Who do you sell to? Most produce is sent to the Brisbane and Sydney markets where it is distributed to smaller retailers and independents.
Family recipes: grated or diced apple added to most cake or muffin recipes adds flavour and moistness and as a result you can reduce the fat content of the recipe by 50%.
For more event details please log onto http://www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au This site is where many of the above events are listed.
For local information contact the Stanthorpe Tourist Information Centre on (07) 4681 2057.
For local information and activities log onto http://www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
Other sites include: http://www.southerndownsholidays.info or http://www.thegranitebelt.com.au
Grower/local business websites: http://www.hivalue.com.au and http://www.vincenzos.com.au
Growcom site: www.growcom.com.au
