Farm History
Holmberg Orchards is a fourth-generation family run farm located in the picturesque hills of Gales Ferry, Connecticut, located just minutes from Mystic, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. The orchards and wine tasting room are open seasonally to the public. The Farm Market is freshly stocked year-round with fruits and vegetables, homemade baked good and tempting specialty foods. Come discover why Holmberg Orchards is a great day-trip destination for couples and families.
4 Generations
Holmberg Orchards is a family owned farm enterprise that is now in its fourth generation. Adolph and Hulda Holmberg, as recent arrivals from Sweden, originally purchased the farm in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, in 1896. The farm soon produced vegetable crops that were well known for their high quality throughout Southeastern Connecticut. Harold and Henry Holmberg purchased the farm from their mother, Hulda, in 1931 and began planting apple, peach, and pear trees in 1935.
Through the 60’s
Holmberg Brothers’ Orchards ran successfully through the mid 1960’s at the hands of Harold and Henry. Chickens were eventually phased out as apples and fruits flourished in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, and Holmberg Brothers’ Orchards rose to be known as one of New England’s premier orchards. After Henry’s passing in 1965, the business was run by Harold alone and renamed simply, ‘Holmberg Orchards” as we know it today.
80’s & 90’s
Harold’s son, Richard, along with his wife, Diane, returned to the farm after college, and ultimately purchased the farm from Harold in the 1980’s. Richard brought with him fresh ideas involving expansion into retail and Pick-Your-Own markets, and in the early 1990’s also added the bakery department and greenhouse tomato operation. Richard now manages all post-harvest storage systems, packing and wholesale operations. Diane’s focus is in our offices, bakery and Pick-Your-Own.
2000’s
Richard and Diane began working cooperatively with two of their children, Amy and Russell. Amy returned from university in 2002, and has further expanded the retail farm market into a gourmet specialty foods shop that retains its agricultural roots and charm. She also joins Diane in the accounting department. Russell finished college in 2004, and brought with him an excitement for viniculture and winemaking. He has since added the winery, which burst onto the CT wine scene in 2007 with award-winning fruit wines and sparkling hard ciders. Wines grapes were planted in 2010 in continued expansion of this project. Russell also oversees all greenhouse operations and tree fruit production. He lives on the farm with his wife, Christine and their children Andrew and Heidi who are the fifth generation of Holmbergs to be raised on our farm.
Today
Today, the Holmberg Orchards heritage of excellence in fruit production continues. While the size, shape, and variety of apple trees and fruit crops are constantly changing with modern farming techniques, Holmberg Orchards commitment to grow “the finest fruit for the finest customers” continues.