Hamilton’s Carluke Orchards is a classic family farm for apple picking and more
- Michael Kras
- 27 Sep 2023
Is there any activity more quintessentially autumnal than apple picking?
As soon as the faintest of fall chills hits the air, Hamiltonians make their way to the best apple farms and orchards, clad in their coziest flannel and ready to stroll the fields filling up a basket or two with whatever delicious apple varieties are at peak season.
One of the most picturesque places for picking is Carluke Orchards in Ancaster: a quaint family farm with a 200-year history that holds its place as a must-visit fall destination in the Hamilton area.
Originally owned by the Inksetter family – who first planted the orchards in 1965 – Carluke remains a family operation with three generations keeping the farm running year-round, regularly welcoming new faces and loyal, longstanding visitors.
“We see families year after year here, many of which we see grow and bring new generations with them and it’s really amazing for us to have that annual connection with the community,” says Michelle Inksetter, who currently runs the orchard alongside her father Alan.
“Many people we see in the fall can remember back to my grandparents who started the orchard, Marion and Bob Inksetter.”
Of course, one of Carluke Orchards’ busiest times of the year is apple picking season, which runs from early September to mid-October with over a dozen estate-grown apple varieties on hand.
Currently available for pick-your-own, visitors can expect to get their hands on Royal Gala and Empire, with picking starting on September 30th for Ambrosia, Golden Gala, and Jona Gold. Even more will be available as of October 7th including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Idared, and Northern Spy.
On top of that, apples like McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Spartan, and Cortland – while no longer available for picking – can be purchased in Carluke’s on-site shop and bakery; another popular feature of the family farm that keeps the community coming back again and again.
The bakery was first launched by Marion Inksetter to accompany the orchard in the 1980s, and Carluke continues to use many of those original decades-old recipes to this day in their tempting range of freshly baked pies – including, of course, a classic apple pie – as well as other treats like cookies and muffins in multiple varieties.
Carluke’s shop also sells homemade preserves and frozen gourmet take-home foods like meat pies and lasagnas, on top of other treats including the recent addition of homemade Apple Cider Slushies and a unique way of getting a custom caramel apple where visitors can pick the apple of their liking from the orchard and bring it to the shop to be made into a caramel apple on the spot, including choosing finishings like sprinkles or Skor bits.
The whole operation is run with the kind of passion, care, and homestyle feel that you can only get from a family-run business; and Michelle is quick to emphasize the family aspect is one of the things she loves most about being part of the third generation to keep things moving at Carluke.
“I personally find it incredibly heartwarming when customers come and remember me from my childhood on the farm and are excited to also see my kids here too,” she says.
“It’s like having a whole town’s worth of neighbours come by. My kids will be the 4th generation on this farm; growing up in Hamilton and I think they are so lucky, as I was, to have this unique connection to their community.”
Visit Carluke Orchards at 2194 Shaver Road in Ancaster for apple picking and much more. See more information on their website, and follow them on social media here.
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