In September, we came across the Twin Peaks Orchards kiosk at the Village at Northstar during the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival. It was among many vendors that weekend. We bought bagsful of plums and peaches, along with jars of peach preserves, and were impressed.
Now the family-owned-and-operated orchard will host a free fall-harvest open house, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at its grounds in Newcastle.
The centerpiece will be a persimmon-tasting and - depending on the weather and "harvest availability" - U-pick mandarins, said family member Camelia Enriquez-Miller, company partner and marketer.
"Our specialty in the fall is persimmons," she said. "We grow four types, and one is unique to our farm - the amagaki, which translates from Japanese to mean 'sweet persimmon' in English."
The day will also include orchard tours, hayrides, a fall tree-pruning workshop (11:30 a.m.), wool-spinning demonstrations, and a petting zoo (alpacas) and face-painting for the children.
You can buy lunch from Farm To Belly catering company, and a copy of "Placer County Real Food From Farmers Markets" and get it autographed (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
The Farmer's Marketplace sells jam and honey, olive oil and cheese, spices and baked goods.
To get to Twin Peaks Orchards, take Interstate 80 toward Reno to the Sierra College Boulevard exit and bear left. Drive through Loomis and turn right on Highway 193. After about three miles, look for the signage on the left.
Information: (916) 346-5569, www.twinpeaksorchards.com
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