Operating in Essex Junction since 1929 with a minimal-pesticide approach, the farm confirmed an October 23-24, 2026 hard cider crush event — verifying its site is current for 2026, even though the PYO opening date itself isn't separately confirmed.
Chapin Orchard is located at 150 Chapin Road in Essex Junction, in Chittenden County, Vermont, with a phone number of 802-879-6210, and has operated since 1929. As of the page checked, the orchard was actively picking Red Free and McIntosh, with Paula Red, Zestar, and William’s Pride available pre-picked in the barn — a useful distinction between what’s currently pickable in the field versus what’s already harvested and sold ready-made. Hours are 9:30am-5:30pm daily. A cider mill and cider donuts are both confirmed, and the farm hosts an annual hard cider crush event confirmed for October 23-24, 2026.
Unlike a generic “sustainably grown” claim, Chapin Orchard’s own site describes emphasizing minimal, as-needed pesticide use rather than a fixed spray schedule. That’s a specific operational philosophy — applying treatment only when needed rather than on a set calendar — worth noting for a visitor who cares about growing practices, and it’s a more concrete claim than most sustainability mentions found elsewhere in this research, though it stops short of the formal Eco Certified or Certified B Corp designations confirmed at Scott Farm in Dummerston.
This record handles an interesting evidentiary question carefully: the farm’s own site said “We are open for the season!” without stating a year, which on its own wouldn’t establish this as current 2026 content. But the same site separately named October 23-24 as the 2026 dates for its annual hard cider crush event — an explicit, year-stamped reference, even though it’s for a specific festival rather than the general PYO season. That’s enough to establish the page is genuinely current for 2026, even though it doesn’t directly confirm a PYO opening date. The record is careful to note this distinction rather than conflating festival confirmation with season-opening confirmation.
The record draws a clear line between Red Free and McIntosh — actively picking in the orchard — and Paula Red, Zestar, and William’s Pride, available pre-picked in the barn. That’s a more granular breakdown than most orchards in this research provide, several of which simply list “currently picking” varieties without distinguishing field-fresh from pre-picked options. For a visitor who specifically wants the PYO experience rather than a pre-picked purchase, knowing which varieties are actually available to pick yourself (versus only available pre-bagged) is directly useful.
Confirmed for October 23-24, 2026, the hard cider crush event is a specific, dated draw beyond simple apple picking — similar in spirit to Shelburne Orchards’ on-site brandy production, though Chapin’s event appears to be a single festival weekend rather than a year-round production capability.
No specific PYO season-start date is confirmed — only that the site is current for 2026 based on the cider-event date. No PYO pricing is available.
Chapin Orchard combines nearly a century of operation with a thoughtful, minimal-intervention growing philosophy and a confirmed October 23-24, 2026 hard cider crush event. The field-versus-barn variety breakdown (Red Free/McIntosh picking now, Paula Red/Zestar/William’s Pride pre-picked) is genuinely useful for planning a PYO-specific trip, though calling 802-879-6210 is the way to confirm exact current status before visiting.
As of the page checked, Red Free and McIntosh were picking in the orchard, with Paula Red, Zestar, and William's Pride available pre-picked in the barn — a spread of early-to-mid varieties suggesting an early-to-mid fall visit.
you need a specific PYO season-start date — the site said 'We are open for the season!' without a year, and while an October cider event confirms the page is 2026-current, that's not the same as a stated PYO opening date.
As of the page checked, Red Free and McIntosh were picking in the orchard, with Paula Red, Zestar, and William's Pride available pre-picked in the barn.
Since 1929, per the record.
Yes — an annual hard cider crush event confirmed for October 23-24, 2026, an explicit 2026-dated reference from the farm's own site.
The farm emphasizes minimal, as-needed pesticide use rather than a fixed spray schedule, per the record.
9:30am-5:30pm daily, per the record.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Daily. Check with the orchard before driving out.
Pricing was not published when we last checked.
Yes — it's a pick-your-own orchard, with pre-picked apples at the farm stand too.
Red Free, McIntosh, Paula Red, Zestar, William's Pride — note that what's actually ready to pick changes week to week through the season.
150 Chapin Road, Essex Junction, VT 05451, in Chittenden County. It is one of 4 orchards we track in Champlain Valley.
We track 4 orchards in Champlain Valley, 4 of which let you pick your own apples. The orchard has not published a starting price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
What sets it apart locally: it has fresh cider, which most Champlain Valley orchards on our list do not.
One caveat worth repeating: this orchard had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 1 of the 4 orchards we track in Champlain Valley had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the orchard confirms it.
There are 2 other orchards we track in Chittenden County. All Champlain Valley orchards →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
chapinorchard.com
Checked September 2026.