AUDUBON – The Gottenborg Apple Orchard’s inaugural Apple Fest on Saturday, Sept. 10, drew hundreds to enjoy fresh-picked apples and fresh-pressed apple juice.
Barbie Porter / Detroit Lakes Tribune
Chuck Hoggarth lives a few miles from the orchard and was happy to learn about the gem in his backyard. He brought his wife and 9-year-old grandson to the family-friendly event.
“I didn’t know this place existed before,” he said.
After arriving at the orchard tucked on the southwest side of Audubon Lake, the Hoggarth family enjoyed eating grilled apple brats and fresh apple pie. They picked two bags of apples and waited in line for a taste of the fresh-pressed apple juice.
After several gallon jugs were filled with apple juice, a little mishap had the crowd gasp. The bottom pan on the press, where the juice collected, dropped a few inches in a loud fashion. Some of the juice spilled onto the cement floor, but most remained in the container. When the jug filling was momentarily halted, hands were quick to grab the gallons available.
Barbie Porter / Detroit Lakes tribune
Sue and Jerry Rogers were standing in the right place and received a jug. They found two cups, poured themselves a taste and passed the jug to a family waiting for the sweet treat in the mid-day sun.
The Rogers said seeing the apple press that orchard owner David Gottenborg received from a winery in California was as big of a draw for them as the promise of delicious SweeTango and Zestar apples plucked from the tree.
“We’re hoping to make it back to pick more apples before the end of the season,” Sue Rogers said.
