THE taste of cherries is much sweeter than wine and variety is the spice of life and that is how legends are made, as the Riseborough family of Yarra Valley live in harmony with nature, proving and experimenting with over forty cherry varieties.
All of CherryHill’s cherries are grown in their orchards, are hand-picked, hydro-cooled and transported in refrigerated trucks to maintain their freshness.
These little red wonders are then placed in a cool room at one degree Celsius before being packed and dispatched within 24 hours of harvest – quite a feat with such a large delivery.
This is CherryHill’s taste test, to bite into a fresh cherry, and know it has been nurtured through 83 years of care, to create in them, the right stuff.
“The company prides itself on being one hundred percent Aussie owned and grown, and so many years of service and quality says a lot,” said Jacob Simpson, who was interviewed as the cherry season begins.
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It’s been a family business since 1940 with George Riseborough planting his first cherry tree in Yarra Valley soil.
Today, they have seven orchards, over 250 acres of rich, fertile soils, long sunshine hours, and ample water supply and fresh air.
They are constantly expanding, and have readily adapted by introducing more varieties while recognising how tourism and farming go together.
“This is the Riseborough’s place of passion and it is very obvious their love of the land," said Jacob.
"They’re a great family and I love working here.
"I am also involved in the tourism side which involves cherry picking tours where customers choose the cherries they want.
"A big drawcard is the Blossoming Festival where guests can walk down between the hundreds of rows of cherry blossom, get photographed and just enjoy the spectacle. "Some couples marry under the cherry trees and others use the DIY wedding venue to stage a wedding.”
Through their own experience and expertise, CherryHill Orchards calculated the seasonal timings and compared growing locations, to expand the cherry-growing season from November to February, spreading their assets across Wandin, Coldstream, Yarra Valley, the Dandenong Ranges, up to the High Country, Mansfield, Goulburn and Broken River valleys, home to the Strathbogie Ranges, then Cobram on the Murray River and in Orange across the border.
While some of the 40 varieties rely on mild temperatures and dry summers, others lend themselves to the cooler climes, demonstrating plenty of scope to extend these seasons.
“Every summer, thousands of cherry lovers flock here to pick their own cherries straight from the tree," said Jacob.
"The Blossoming Festival has the biggest appeal and exhibits a relaxed family atmosphere.
"The family is always around, thinking up new ideas or ways of improvement.
"We have 80 casual staff and they are such a diverse group – some are backpackers with a range of experiences.”
Grandfather George’s son Cliff still lives on the original property, with his sons Stephen and Glenn who run CherryHill Orchard operations and Stephen overseeing Wandin. The brothers are also responsible for tourism and special events which are a major undertaking.
CherryHill produces thousands of tonnes each year and are highly visible in larger chains and produce markets.
The Regina cherry variety is deep and rich in colour, with its stems boldly suited to cool climates such as Wandin, east of Melbourne.
This is a plump, firm and pretty stone fruit, with a zesty taste but with sweetness and crunch in the after-mouth experience.
With all the talk about cherry blossom, romance and double cherries on a stem, the Sweet Georgia variety is a late starter with a golden red flesh.
All the varieties have such alluring names to whet the appetite but the Royal Dawn has a ‘regal appearance, with a deep and divine plump fruit’.
The Nordwunder cherry comes from the high country with a deep red complexion and a burst of flavour and sweetness at the first bite.
Sylvia cherries are picked mid-season and emerge as a heart shape when ripe.
The Bing cherry is most familiar to consumers, with its big heart-shaped fruit, coming from the Murray Valley – deliciously sweet and full of vim.
Even the cherry stem gets a commendation for its magical properties, finding use in fighting fatigue, cellulitis, constipation, and stiffness.
This little-known fact might well be promoted by cherry growers like CherryHill Orchards.
You might like to try the hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil, throw in the stems and let them steep for about ten minutes.
Cherries are full of nutrients and antioxidants and have a melatonin effect which can also reduce stress.
They contain vitamin B and C and other benefits necessary for a healthy life.
CherryHill Orchard is an excellent example of cross marketing in agriculture and tourism – they go hand in hand, but the cherries they grow are exquisite and a healthy addition to one’s diet and sweet pleasure.
They have articulated well their excellence in stone fruit cultivation and are doubly fortunate to be located in such salubrious surroundings–an unmitigated creation of nature and nurture.
