Carter Mountain is Ready for Summer

After nearly a year of canceling events, socially distancing and requiring tickets for entry, Carter Mountain and other Chiles Family Orchards have finally restarted regular business. 

During the height of the pandemic, Carter Mountain was vigilant about social distancing and health guidelines. Visits earlier this year were by ticketed slot only, and guests were required to stay within their fruit-picking time with their group, wearing a mask any time they got close to or faced someone else. 

Pets were kept from visiting the orchard during the pandemic, and the food options were limited due to staff cuts and quarantine guidelines, but Carter Mountain tried to maintain some kind of normalcy throughout the pandemic. 

The Bold Rock tap room was opened periodically through the last year but is now open every evening, with a new selection of Carter Mountain-made wine coming out later this year. Their Mountain Grill has their usual choice of savory comfort foods like fries and pulled-pork sandwiches and a new apple cider slushie all for usually under $10. However, to visit guests must continue distancing.

The orchard is also restarting its Sunset Series, taking place every Thursday evening starting on May 7. Carter Mountain as well as its sister orchards, Chiles Orchard and Spring Valley Orchard, have said that they may continue doing ticketed events, especially when it comes to live music as the country slowly creeps out of quarantine. Ticketing shows means crowds can be relatively small and the orchard has more control over the exposure of their employees. It’s also a means of extra revenue for businesses hit hard by the pandemic. 

Any visitors still weary can visit the socially distanced orchard or visit one of Carter Mountain’s pop-up locations like the one on Ivy Road or in the Seminole Sq. Farmer’s Market for fresh pies and cider. Carter Mountain’s online order/curbside pick up is also a great option.  Customers can view products online and have them brought to their cars on arrival at the Orchard contact free. Visitors can find everything everybody loves about Carter Mountain from fresh produce to their famous apple cider donuts.