City: Gales Ferry, CT

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (860) 464-7305

Address: 12 Orchard Ln.

Description: Established in 1896, Holmberg’s farm and orchards grow fruits and vegetables for the greater Groton area. Seasonally available pick-your-own fruits include strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, and the orchard trees bear apples, peaches, nectarines, and pears. Don’t miss pumpkins in autumn. The farm market is located just below the farm on Route 12. Fresh pies, muffins, and pastries are the main draw, as well as a colorful array of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Other locally produced products are available, such as honey products from Full Bloom Apiary in Preston, goat milk soap from Old Lyme, and Boxed Goodes’ signature rice, lentil, and bean packaged mixes and spices. You’ll also find wine from local wineries, and Holmberg’s own fruit wines and ciders are, of course, on hand. Fourth-generation son Russell guides the winery and cider press. Hard cider uses russet apples and tastes full-bodied and tart. Tour the orchards and newly planted grape vines, and look out for curiously placed glass bottles hanging from pear branches. These are placed around blossoms as they bud, and the pears grow in the glass. Holmberg partners with Connecticut’s Westford Hill Distillery, which fills the pear-trapped bottles with its distilled eau-de-vie.