Our Cherry Varieties

Rainiers are the show-stoppers. With their golden yellow skin kissed with a soft red blush, they look as good as they taste. They are considered an exclusive, premium variety due to their short harvest window, delicate skin, and exceptional flavour. The flesh is creamy yellow, incredibly juicy and delicately sweet with subtle floral and tropical notes.  Rainier cherries are best enjoyed raw, in fruit salads, or as a luxurious snack. They are more fragile than dark cherries and require careful handling, so we recommend not sending these to a rural address. 

Our Rainier has a small ripening window and is most affected by weather conditions leading up to harvest. At this stage we expect to harvest our Rainier Cherries just before Christmas and just before New Year's. If you purchase Rainier from us with the intention of receiving its Cherries for Christmas and it has not ripened intime to send to you, we are more than happy to provide a refund.

As the last variety to ripen in the season, Sentennial Cherries benefit from extra time on the tree, allowing them to develop a deeper, more concentrated sweetness.  Their ruby-red colour, firm texture, and exceptionally juicy bite make them one of the most flavourful Cherries available.  We work closely with 45 South to ensure our Sentennial Cherries shine - they are a top choice for premium cherry lovers who want a luxurious, late-season treat. They hold their shape beautifully and pack a real punch in flavour, making them a fantastic way to round out the cherry season. If you like a cherry that is dense, juicy and luxuriously sweet, our Sentennial's are a winner.

Lapin Cherries are prized for their deep, dark red colour and large size. They are known for their exceptionally crisp texture, juicy bite, and rich, well-balanced sweetness with a hint of acidity, making them a standout favourite among Cherry lovers. The Lapin variety thrives in Central Otago, and we find our trees produce some of the largest Cherries available. These Cherries are perfect for fresh eating, desserts, and even gourmet pairings with cheeses or chocolate. Their firm texture also makes them ideal for preserving, whether in jams, chutneys, or liqueurs. This is the variety that makes you pause mid-bite and go “that’s a good Cherry.”  

They grow large and eat even better, with a bold, satisfying crunch. A real crowd-pleaser and an easy favourite among cherry lovers. We expect to start harvesting our Lapins just before New Years and then throughout the first week of January - they unfortunately will not be ready intime for the Christmas dinner table

Kootenay Cherries share many characteristics with Lapins but as a result of ripening slightly later they often have a firmer bite, have a dark red to deep burgundy colour and a depth of flavour that’s hard to beat.  With their large size, crisp texture, and balanced sweetness, Kootenay cherries are a great choice for those who love a robust cherry experience. Their deep colour and rich flavour lend well to baking, smoothies, and cherry-infused cocktails.