Information
Landmark: Mercier OrchardsCity: Atlanta
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Mercier Orchards, Atlanta, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Mercier Orchards, a beloved family-run spot in Blue Ridge, Georgia, grows crisp apples and welcomes visitors to wander its sunny rows.Bill and Adele Mercier started it in 1943, and today it’s one of the Southeast’s favorite farms, stretching across more than 300 acres of rolling fields.It’s still run by the fourth generation of the same family, and by veterans too, blending a century-old farming heritage with fresh, hands-on experiences for today’s visitors.Just beyond the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, Georgia, the orchard rests in the Appalachian foothills, where the air smells faintly of pine.Here, rows of apple trees thrive alongside peaches and other fruit in perfect growing conditions, and the sight draws visitors who come for a peaceful, hands-on farm experience, with the scent of fresh blossoms drifting through the air.Mercier Orchards is best known for its wide range of crops-crisp apples in the fall, sweet strawberries in early summer, blueberries and blackberries by the handful, juicy peaches, and a rotation of fresh seasonal vegetables.Visitors can join U-Pick events, stepping into the orchard to pluck sun-warmed fruit straight from the branch, a hands-on experience that leaves a lasting bond with the farm.At Mercier Orchards, you can wander rows of more than 50 apple varieties and fill your basket during U-Pick season, from the warm days of late summer to the crisp air of fall.Guests wander between the orchard’s neat rows, brushing past leaves, and pick apples right off the branches.The orchard hands you sturdy baskets and shares clear, seasoned tips on how to gather the fruit.Strawberries show up in late spring, and the U-Pick season usually runs from March through May, with hours set so you can come by on a sunny Saturday or a quiet Tuesday afternoon.Families and groups love this hands-on experience, from building tiny birdhouses to trying their hand at clay molding.Blueberries, blackberries, and peaches are ready for U-Pick when their seasons roll around, usually from the warm days of mid-summer to the crisp mornings of early fall.Each year’s availability shifts with the weather and how the crops turn out-one soggy spring can cut the harvest in half.Every so often, the orchard opens its fields for U-Pick days, inviting guests to wander among rows of tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash, their skins warm from the summer sun.At U-Pick events, you’ll gather crisp, sun-warmed produce and dive into a hands-on experience that teaches how the seasons shape crops and why sustainable farming matters.Alongside its sunlit rows of fresh fruit, Mercier Orchards runs a bustling market and a warm, flour-dusted bakery-both now local favorites worth the trip on their own.The market offers crisp, just-picked fruits and vegetables, along with farm-made jams, jellies, preserves, and treats like rich, cinnamon-scented apple butter.You’ll find shelves stacked with locally made treats, offering a chance to take home the true taste of the farm.The bakery, known far and wide for its crisp, golden fried apple pies, also turns out warm cider donuts, tender muffins, flaky fritters, fresh breads, and plenty of other treats.We make these fresh on-site every day, often with ingredients picked straight from the orchard.Candy Kitchen tempts anyone with a sweet tooth, serving everything from chewy caramel apples and rich fudge to crisp brittle, warm glazed nuts, creamy gelato, tangy sorbet, and frosty apple cider slushies.Families flock here, especially with kids in tow, and the place hums with laughter during the holidays.At Mercier Orchards, the winery and hard cider tasting room set it apart as Georgia’s only apple orchard that grows its own fruit, presses it fresh, ferments it, and cans crisp hard cider right on site.At this farm winery, you can step into the cozy tasting room to sip crisp hard ciders made from their own apples, along with fruit wines bursting with the flavors of ripe strawberries, sweet blueberries, and tangy blackberries grown just outside the door.In the tasting room, visitors follow the farm-to-bottle journey, from the scent of fresh apples in the orchard to the pour in their glass, highlighting how the farm blends old-school cultivation with inventive, handcrafted drinks.At Mercier Orchards, you’ll find more than fruit picking-think hayrides through crisp autumn air, hands-on workshops, and other outdoor adventures that engage and teach visitors of every age.Tractor Tours: Climb aboard a tractor for a seasonal ride as your guide leads you past rows of apple trees and across the orchard’s wide, open fields.On these tours, you’ll learn about the farm’s history, its growing methods, and how it practices sustainable agriculture-plus you’ll catch sweeping views of the hills dotted with wildflowers.There’s a stocked pond tucked behind the orchard, open for catch‑and‑release fishing while they’re open for business.The lake holds bass, bream, and carp, and its still water makes a quiet spot where families picnic and anglers wait for a bite.Bus and school tours give groups, classes, and clubs a close-up look at the orchard-its daily work, rich history, and the life story of each fruit, from blossom to harvest.These tours help people understand how farming works and why our local heritage matters, from the smell of freshly turned soil to stories passed down through generations.Mercier Orchards keeps its calendar lively with seasonal events that pull in crowds throughout the year, from crisp autumn apple festivals to springtime tastings that add a fresh twist to the agritourism experience.Blossom Tours (Spring): In spring, when fruit trees burst into clouds of white and pink, guided tours capture the season’s renewal with dazzling floral displays.Customer Appreciation Day in February celebrates our loyal customers with fun activities, surprise giveaways, and tempting discounts.Santa at the Farm in December brings families together for Santa visits, twinkling lights strung along the barn, sweet seasonal treats, and holiday games, all wrapped in a warm, joyful glow.These events show how deeply the orchard’s roots run in the community and give visitors more than just the usual farm tour-like tasting crisp apples straight from the tree.Mercier Orchards welcomes guests from early spring until the crisp days of late fall, and on weekends the doors stay open a little longer.It shuts its doors on big holidays-Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter-when the streets feel quieter than usual.The orchard offers plenty of parking, clean restrooms, shady picnic spots, and easy access for everyone, making your visit comfortable from start to finish.You’ll find us at 8660 Blue Ridge Drive in Blue Ridge, Georgia, open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., when the porch light clicks on as the doors open.Mercier Orchards packs the full Blue Ridge experience into one visit-wander rows of ripe apples, sample handcrafted jams, join a guided farm tour, and enjoy seasonal events, all framed by sweeping mountain views.It’s a lively gathering place where people meet farmers, taste crisp apples and other local treats, join in outdoor fun, and celebrate the changing seasons.With its rich heritage, warm welcome, and chances to roll up your sleeves, Mercier Orchards draws families, food lovers, and curious travelers who want an authentic slice of rural life-maybe even a crisp apple straight from the tree.
