Winesap apple

Winesap apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Winesap

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Visitor reviews

• 25 Oct 2023 

  Where can l purchase a winesap tree?
• 04 Oct 2023 

  Just harvested my 6 yo winesap this year - first year she gave me a good crop. Slow-maturing tree, my apples are a deep red with maroon/purple lowlights, a tough skin, a crisp snap and pale, juicy white flesh. Definitely the kind of winesap I remember as a child.
• 30 May 2023 

  I would like to buy some of the winesap apples.
• 18 Sep 2018  WA, United States

  The photo on the front page for this must have been taken in UK, for the true Winesap here in WA, USA, is red on red, with bright yellow if a leaf lays against the skin. Not to be confused with Stayman, a seedling of Winesap, with twice the size and half the taste or flesh color. Big flavor, of a different sort than Margil or Suntan.
• 27 May 2018  OREGON, United States

  I planted a Winesap, (think it might be the Stayman), 42 years ago. I am in NE Oregon at 3,000 feet elevation. Shady site, clearing in the woods, fairly high up on the foothill of a 5,600 mt.. it fully ripens about 70% of the time. When it does it definitely has a Pomegranate overtone! Most refreshing!
• 12 Jan 2017  TX, United States

  Today was my first taste of a Winesap. I find them at the co-op in Las Cruces, New Mexico for $3.99/lb. Price means nothing when I'm buying natural/organic/heirloom. Especially that it's something I've never tried. The smell had me hooked immediately. I'm eating one fresh right now and based on what I've read here, I'll make myself a little apple pie next. I love them now! There aren't too many apple varieties down here in the southwest so I envy you northeasterners. Anyone out there want to trade for quince?! ??
• 11 Sep 2016  CHARLOTTE, NC, United States

  Another annual visit to York SC for late summer apple picking after Labor Day. Love the Wnesap for its firmness, and tart and juicie flavor characteristics. Being from the northeast, I'm used to multiple varieties to select from.
• 02 Aug 2015  VA, United States

  I'm confused, none of the winesapes from Virginia look like the one pictured! They are bright vibrant red mixed with a deep maroon color and white spotting. A very good looking apple! They make incredible cider.
• 17 Nov 2014  PENNA, United States

  I have been able to get Winesap and Northern Spy Apples at a Girard Penna Orchard. Both are my favorite old time fall apple. Both are getting hard to find locally as people want "red apples".
• 28 Mar 2014  PA/MONTGOMERY, United States

  NO better memory of this beautiful variety than picking and eating winesap apples after a tough football game. These were old trees that were left over from the farm my suburban tract home was built on. Laying on the ground or picking from the tree,they were the best. A flavor and juicy delight I will never forget.
• 31 Jan 2014  MARYLAND, United States

  The Winesap is is one of those classic apples that is becoming difficult to get. A pity because what sets them apart from the travesties pushed on us in supermarkets is the rich depth of flavor. Heirloom apples like Winesap have a spiciness that modern apples lack. Needless to say they work beautifully in pies and tarts. The apple is also fantastic as a snack (esp. if you love the developed flavor of good apple cider), but will spoil you forever once you've tasted one. While I still think Jonathan is the best apple ever, the Winesap comes pretty darn close and I snap either up whenever I can find them.
• 18 Mar 2013  United States

  This flavorful old variety is getting hard to find in eastern Massachusetts. Love it out of hand, but would like to get enough to make cider.
• 14 Feb 2013  WASHINGTON, United States

  At the risk of redundancy, this was my childhood favorite, and remains one of the best apples to my experience so far. My buddy who owns the tree I have eaten from for half of each of the past two years is selling his house, so now I must get scions for grafting. This apple makes fabulous sauce, pies, crisp and I can only imagine the juice if squeezed!
• 22 Oct 2012  TX, United States

  Judy, Central Market in Dallas has Winesaps when they're available, which I believe I was told is mid November. Another option with the pie would be to take the Alton Brown approach, toss the apples in some of the sugar used in the filling and let them drain in a colander for an hour and a half or so, this will prevent them from watering down your pie and the drained juice can be reduced and spread on top of the pie crust for a wonderful apple caramel coating.
• 24 Sep 2012  NJ, United States

  To the person that struggled with the juice in the pie pan issue - I too am a Jersey resident, and Winesap apples are THE apple for me. AFter many years of struggling with the juice issue in the pies, I saw a cooking show that said to saute the apples lightly in butter for about 5 minutes to cook off the extra liquid. To this day, I have never had a soupy pie. Try it!
• 07 Feb 2012  TX, United States

  I have lived in Dallas,TX for 9 years and have not been able to find any Winesaps. I remember eating them when I lived here 30 years ago. Does anyone know where I can find them here?
• 25 Jan 2012  NEW JERSEY, United States

  Like the commentator and former Jerseyman Mr. Wes Rolley, I also await until the Winesaps are out before visiting farmers' stands. And of course, that means no sooner than early fall. Sadly, they have all become tourist traps these last few decades. It was the Winesap that opened my eyes to apple connoiseurship. In my public high school we were compelled to take a half semestre cooking class. At home afterwards I would try my hand at Betty Crocker recipe apples pies. They were always excellent with Winesaps as filling, and mine were my favorite apple pie until the farmers' stands began offering the caramel/walnut upgrade a few years ago (at $20+ a pop!). My father preferred my own to even his mother's, though she could make them quickly, in greater number, with a coal fired oven, and given whatever other constraints one might encounter in depression-era Philly. My misgiving about my pies-and by that I mean the Winesap-was the syrup that would form at the bottom of the pie. While it didn't prevent the bottom crust from crisping, it happened every time and the cookbook failed to address it. People used to suggest cornstarch or extra flour, but I wanted to avoid the pasty mess I find in the worst store bought pies. Perhaps next fall I'll try it and see what results-in a worse case scenerio, I'll deal with the syrup. Of course, I'll also experiment with wet nuts and caramel! But getting back on track, I so look forward each year to that cool weekend day when I drive alone down my favorite road, the White Horse Pike, to beautiful Hammonton to pick up my large basket of Winesaps, that I try to leave the house on an empty stomach. Immediately upon leaving the market-keeping an eye to make sure no other cars are nearby!-I lustily chomp into a large example of that treat I waited so long for! The loud crisp snap that competes with One Republic on upgraded speakers! Every time caught by surprise by the spray that fires in all directions-face, windshield, eyes-from this ultra juicy fruit! My hunger quenched first by the sweet, hot-heel followed by an acidic tart! The sun on my face, the wind in my hair! Whew!!! Winesap!!! Chomp, chomp, chomp! I will certainly regret sharing this, but this experience is so transforming and mystical for me that in my single Pagan tradition, I toss part of my apple out the window into a copse of trees to share back some of the bounty which that land had lent to me. p.s. Kudus to Faye Kane, nice read! p.s.s. Can't find much 'net clarity on the difference between colonial Winesaps and the Stayman strain! Need more scholarly disseration on the former.
• 24 Jan 2012  MD, United States

  I just bought some Winesaps today at the Fruit Bowl in Cumberland, MD for $0.69/lb., in case anyone is looking in the western MD area. I can't wait to bake with them tomorrow.
• 15 Oct 2011  CA, United States

  I used to wait for the winesaps to ripen before visiting fruit stands in NJ. In California now and planing apples, so I planted one. We just picked it tonight and it was so good. Planted between an Ashmead Kernel and a Chojuro Asian pear.
• 15 Sep 2011  VA, United States

  I came here specifically to see if "Winesap" is an apple species or a name brand owned by a company that went out of business. Apparently, it's an apple species that went out of business. When I grew up in New York, in the sixties, we had a Winesap tree and I thought apple=Winesap. I only found out that there were other, inferior, kinds of apples after many years. Like those dry, mealy Red "Delicious" apples. But like so many other yummy foods in this God-forsaken used-to-be country, the REAL kind has been replaced by waxy, plastic simulations that make things more profitable for big businesses; like tomatoes, apricots, canned spaghetti. Cheddar slices and crunchy hard rolls at the Strawtown mom 'n pop corner grocery disappeared along with the store, their groceries, mom, and pop. Only the corner remains, with the Super Mart where we can buy the aptly-named American "cheese food product" and "hard" rolls that have crust as soft as the tasteless white bread inside. Well at least I found out here that other (old?) people miss Winesaps too. BTW, I'm 22. When did I turn into an old person? I look in the mirror and say WTF is THAT?? It must have happened while I wasn't paying attention.
• 21 Apr 2011  LA, United States

  Ate this as a child in North Carolina and have been trying to find them in stores ever since. Juicy, firm and tart with a taste like no other apple. I went to the organic store tonight looking for another apple to try and wondered whatever happened to Winesap apples. Figured I would investigate. Think I will buy one and a pollinator for the yard now that I know they still exist. Consumers will have very limited choices for fruit varieties in the future unless the DEMAND goes up for heirloom and locally grown produce.
• 02 Apr 2011  WASHINGTON, United States

  Nice to know there are still winesaps grown commercially in the state. I'll have to visit those listed sites on my next trip to the Wenatchee area. In the meanwhile, a Whole Foods outlet in Seattle orders Winesaps especially for me, which I really appreciate. None of the other markets I know of in the city carries Winesaps.
• 02 Feb 2011  United States

  Hi all in WA - Orondo Cider Works (N of Wenatchee, along hwy 97) grows and sells Winesaps. I discovered them there, and they have since become a favorite of mine.
• 23 Jan 2011  BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada

  Teresa et al, We are happy to be the recipient of a red flesh wine sap from a friend who has them on Salt Spring Island. We are also interested in accessing suitable rootstock this year for some of our other heritag apples if you have any suggestions please feel comfortable letting us know. We live on a small heritage farm that has some nice trees, however we still look forward to adding some additional variety. We also like the wolf river apple as well as others like the bel de bos koop. This past season I also tried the sweet 16 and liked it very much. Will keep posted. Debra
• 20 Oct 2010  WASHINGTON, United States

  Teresa: Also check into Feil Pioneer Fruit Stand on Hwy 2, E. Wenatchee (address 13073, if memory serves). They have many heirloom apples, and they might have Winesap. I went there for a first taste of Golden Nugget, Ashmead's Kernel, Hudson's Golden Gem, Lady, Calville Blanc d'Hiver, Spartan, Roxbury Russet and Karmijn de Sonnaville. Tasting the Golden Russet and KdeJ has changed my plans for the back yard! (Already growing a young Ashmead.) Hope you find Winesap.
• 19 Oct 2010  WASHINGTON, United States

  Teresa in Wenatchee area: I just helped a friend in Spokane pick his apples and I believe they are Winesap. They sure remind me of my childhood favorite. Are you growing any apples on your property and, if so, have you tried grafting? I might be able to arrange scion wood late this winter.
• 25 May 2010  VA, United States

  A bowl full of these exudes a wonderful aroma in a room. You can still find them here in VA if you look at local fruit stands, farmers markets. Intense flavor. I've one planted now to make sure I can always get some. My 96 yr. old grandmother in law says they're the best pie apple.
• 09 Apr 2010  WA, United States

  I live in the intermountain area of WA state where the famous Wenatchee apples are grown. The apple commission told me they are grown throughout this area, but when i talked to an orchardist he told me that it is rare to find anyone who grows them anymore. I miss them, the new apples coming out don't compare.
• 16 Nov 2009  CLAREMONT, CA, United States

  I grew up eating this in northeastern Indiana (Kercher's Orchards), and they are one of my favorites. I consider the flesh a bit mealy, which I like. Tart and sweet, but not overly so. I had not had these in years - since moving away from Indiana. I live in the Los Angeles area and I recently found some from a local grower at our farmer's market: I was so happy!

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Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Winesap apple trees for sale:

• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
  Winesap apple trees
• Cummins Nursery
  United States  More >>
• Red Rock Orchards Ltd
  Canada  More >>

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Winesap:

United States

• Alabama

  • Crow Mountain Orchard, Fackler
  • Isom Orchards, Athens
  • Scott's Orchard, Hazel Green

• Arizona

  • Beatty's Orchard, Hereford

• California

  • Apple Lane Orchard, Julian
  • Moms Country Orchards, Yucaipa
  • Noble Orchards, Paradise
  • Riley's Apple Farm #1, Oak Glen
  • Seven C's Family Orchard, Tehachapi
  • Sky Meadow Farms, Leona Valley

• Colorado

  • Apple Valley Orchard, Penrose
  • Masonville Orchard, Fort Collins
  • Third Street Apples, Penrose

• Connecticut

  • Hindinger Farm, Hamden
  • Palazzi Orchard, East Killingly
  • Scott's Yankee Farmer, East Lyme
  • Seek No Further Orchard, Hebron

• Delaware

  • Fifer Orchards, Camden Wyoming

• Georgia

  • Aaron's Apple House, Ellijay
  • Hillcrest Orchards, Ellijay

• Illinois

  • Braeutigam Orchards, Belleville
  • Camp's Orchard, Roseville
  • Christ Orchard, Elmwood
  • Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch, Champaign
  • Homestead Orchard, Woodstock
  • Lang's Orchard, Woodstock
  • Mills Apple Farm, Marine
  • Pleasant Row Orchard, Cuba
  • R.E. Arends Orchard, Laura
  • Valley Orchard, Cherry Valley

• Indiana

  • Bright Meadows Orchard, Lawrenceburg
  • Bruick Brothers Produce / Advanced Tree Technology, New Haven
  • Deer Creek Orchard, Galveston
  • Ditzler Orchard, Rosedale
  • G. W. Stroh Orchards, Angola
  • Kercher's Sunrise Orchards Farm Market, Goshen
  • Melton's Orchard and Country Market, Bloomington
  • Orchard Hill Farms, Kendallville
  • Schafer Orchards, Princeton
  • Villa Orchard, Batesville
  • Whiteland Orchard, Whiteland
  • Harker Family Farms & Orchard, Waldron

• Iowa

  • Applecart Orchard, Vinton
  • Deal's Orchard, Jefferson
  • Mincer Orchard & Farms, Hamburg
  • Upstream Gardens & Orchard, Altoona
  • Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City

• Kansas

  • 86th Street Orchard, Topeka

• Kentucky

  • Apple Tree (Home of the Scarlett Gala), Cumberland
  • Delicious Fruit Orchard, South Shore
  • Hidden Hollow Orchard and Wildlife Sanctuary, Louisville
  • Hinton's Orchard & Farm Market, Hodgenville
  • Sandusky's Orchard, Liberty

• Maine

  • Pietree Orchard, Sweden

• Maryland

  • Baugher Apple Orchard and Farm, Westminster
  • O'Keefe Orchard, Colesville

• Massachusetts

  • Brook Farm Orchard, Ashfield
  • C.N. Smith Farm, East Bridgewater

• Michigan

  • Crane's U-Pick, Fennville
  • Elliotts Orchard, Bellaire
  • Erie Orchards and Cider Mill, Erie
  • Jacques Orchard, Hemlock
  • Koan's Orchard, Flushing
  • Orchard on the Lake,
  • Ridgeway Farm Market, Bangor

• Missouri

  • Blue Heron Orchard, Canton
  • Centennial Farms, Augusta
  • Hickory Ridge Orchard, Mexico
  • Huffstutter Orchards, New Franklin
  • Jackson Country Orchard, Rolla
  • Kithcart's Orchard, Rich Hill
  • Peters Orchards & Market, Waverly
  • Theirbach Orchards & Berry Farm, Marthasville

• Montana

  • Ross Orchards, Fromberg

• Nebraska

  • Degroot Orchards, Madison
  • Martin's Hillside Orchard, Ceresco
  • Union Orchard, Union

• New Hampshire

  • Alyson's Apple Orchard, Walpole
  • Gould Hill Farm, Contoocook
  • Old Ciderpress Farm, Westmoreland

• New Jersey

  • Alstede Farms, Chester
  • Battleview Orchards, Freehold
  • Best's Fruit Farm, Hackettstown
  • Colin's Apple Pit, Montague
  • Crest Fruit Farm, Manalapan
  • Demarest Farm, Hillsdale
  • Everitt's Fruit Farm, Lafayette
  • Green Market Farms, Inc., Hammonton
  • John Himich Farms, East Brunswick
  • Larchmont Farms, Inc., Elmer
  • Matarazzo Farms, Belvidere
  • Pleasant Valley Farm, Mays Landing
  • Pochuck Valley Farms Market and deli, Glenwood
  • Race's Farm Market, Blairstown
  • Robert Schober Orchards, Monroeville
  • Sandy Acres Market, Hightstown
  • Schober Sons, Inc., Monroeville
  • Simone's Apple Farm, Vineland
  • Sun High Orchard, Randolph
  • Sunny Slope Farms of NJ, Bridgeton
  • Wightman's Farm, Morristown

• New Mexico

  • Cadwallader Mountain Farms, Mountain Park
  • Costanza Apple Orchard, Belen
  • Fred & Ruby Martinez Orchards, Dixon
  • Hays Honey Apple Farm, Bosque Farms
  • Manzano Mountain Retreat and Apple Ranch, Torreon
  • Pat Montoya's Family Orchard, Velarde
  • Romero's Orchard, Embudo
  • The Fruit Basket, Velarde
  • Von Bock Farm, Abiquiu

• New York

  • Albany Apple Guy:Purveyor of Rare & Exotic Apples, Castleton
  • Apple Ridge Orchards, Warwick
  • Bellinger's Apple Orchard, Fultonville
  • Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg
  • Dr. Davies Farm, Congers
  • Minards Family Farm, Clintondale
  • Oriole Orchards, Red Hook
  • Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
  • Soons Orchards Inc., New Hampton
  • Wickham's Fruit Farm, Cutchogue

• North Carolina

  • Bohlen Farms, Chapel Hill
  • Creasman Farms, Hendersonville
  • Justus Orchards, Hendersonville
  • Skytop Orchards, Flat Rock

• Ohio

  • Bauman Orchards, Rittman
  • Beckwith Orchards, Cider Mill and Gift Shop, Kent
  • Eshleman Fruit Farm, Clyde
  • Fuhrmann Orchards, Wheelersburg
  • Granville Orchard, Granville
  • Hidden Hills Orchard, Marietta
  • Hoen's Orchard and Market, Delta
  • Hucks Orchard, South Charleston
  • Hugus Fruit Farm, Rushville
  • Johnston Fruit Farms, Swanton
  • Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala
  • Monroe's Orchard & Farm Market, LLC, Hiram
  • Moreland Fruit Farm, Wooster
  • Ochs Fruit Farm, Lancaster
  • Paiges Produce, Stoutsville
  • Peifer Orchards, Yellow Springs
  • Reaver Farms Orchard, South Charleston
  • Reese's Orchard, Lancaster
  • Richardson Farms, Medina
  • Sunrise Farm Market, Garden & Gift, Burton
  • Tüken's Farm Market and Orchard, West Alexandria
  • West Orchards, Perry

• Oregon

  • Bells Orchard, Beaverton
  • First Fruits, Independence
  • Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Mount Hood Parkdale
  • Smith Berry Barn, Hillsboro
  • B&P Hitz Fruit Farm, Woodburn

• Pennsylvania

  • Dries Orchards, Sunbury
  • Gray Wolf Plantation, New Oxford
  • Gulicks Fruit Farm, Bangor
  • Hollabaugh Brothers, Biglerville
  • Holy Root Farm, New Tripoli
  • McConnells' Farm, Aliquippa
  • Miles Orchard (Miles Farm Produce), Coudersport
  • Northrop's Apple Acres, Lake City
  • Orton's Fruit Farm, North East
  • Ringing Hill Orchards, Pottstown
  • Shanesville Fruit Farm, Boyertown
  • Simmons Farm, McMurray
  • Townsend Brother's Fruit Farm, Spring Church

• South Carolina

  • Bryson's Apple Orchard, Mountain Rest

• Tennessee

  • Breeden's Orchard & Country Store, Mount Juliet
  • Fairmount Orchard Inc., Signal Mountain
  • Melody Orchard, Rogersville

• Virginia

  • Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville
  • Dickie Brothers Orchard, Roseland
  • Drumheller's Orchard, Lovingston
  • Graves Mountain Farm, Syria
  • Ikenberry Orchards, Daleville
  • Jenkins Orchard, Woodville
  • Jim’s Apples, Duffield
  • Johnson's Orchards & Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford
  • Layman Orchards, Daleville
  • Morris Orchard, Monroe
  • Rock Hill Orchard, Monroe
  • Showalter's Orchard & Greenhouse, LLC, Timberville
  • Silver Creek and Seamans' Orchards, Inc., Tyro
  • Thornton River Orchard, Sperryville
  • Virginia Farm Market, Winchester

• Washington

  • Skipley Farm, Snohomish        *** Feature Orchard ***
  • Tonnemaker Hill Farm, Royal City

• Wisconsin

  • Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove
  • Hillside Apples, Casco
  • Roo's Apple Orchard, Omro

Canada

• British Columbia

  • Ravenskill Orchards, Gabriola Island

• Ontario

  • O'Keefe Grange, Dobbinton

• Prince Edward Island

  • Red Rock Orchards Ltd, Mount Buchanan

References

• Cedar-Apple Rust  
  Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
  Rated as resistant - control only needed under high disease pressure.
• Apples for the 21st Century
  Author: Manhart
• Apples of England (1948)
  Author: Taylor
• Some Antique Apples for Modern Orchards, (2008)
  Author: Merwin I.A.