Lapin

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.

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Rainier

Rainier cherries are a premium, bi-coloured variety known for their stunning golden-yellow skin with a soft red blush. They are one of the sweetest cherry varieties available, offering a delicate honey-like flavour with subtle floral and tropical fruit notes. Their thin skin and exceptionally juicy texture make them a favourite for fresh eating. Because of their lower acidity and unique sweetness, 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.

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Kootenay

A natural mutation of the Lapin variety, Kootenay cherries ripen slightly later, extending the season for dark, juicy cherries. They share many characteristics with Lapins but often have an even firmer bite and slightly deeper red skin. 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.

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Sweetheart

Sweetheart cherries stand out with their distinctive heart shape and vibrant, bright red hue. They offer a satisfying crunch with a sweet, slightly tart finish, making them an excellent choice for those who prefer a more refreshing cherry taste. As a late-season variety, Sweetheart cherries are often one of the last to be harvested, extending the availability of fresh cherries. Their firm yet juicy texture makes them ideal for fruit salads, garnishes, or simply as a healthy snack. They also hold up well in baking and can add a pop of flavour to summer tarts, pies, and fruit bowls.

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Sentennial

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. Sentennial cherries are perfect for fresh eating but also shine when dried, turned into syrups, or incorporated into gourmet dishes. They are a top choice for premium cherry lovers who want a luxurious, late-season treat.

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Please check your spam and/or junk folder first.  if you still can not find the confirmation email, please contact us at cherries@forestlodge.nz

We understand that things happen, so please contact us on our email address cherries@forestlodge.nz

Absolutely, no problem at all. Please email us and give us your order details and we will do that for you. This can happen anytime up until the week before your chosen delivery window.

We will update you closer to the time with a delivery window.  We use NZ Post’s perishable goods overnight service. This means that they will be shipped on the day before your selected delivery date, so that they arrive as fresh as possible on your selected delivery date.

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‍You will then receive a NZ Post notification email from us saying your “Electric Cherries’ are about to be on their way. This is us getting ready to send your cherries, we do this a couple days out so we are ready to go with harvest and to let you know that if you need to make any address changes or change delivery date window, this is the time.

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You will get a tracking number in the days leading up to dispatch. This is us, getting ready to ship your cherries. Use this tracking number for any queries around delivery direct to NZ Post. Please feel free to let us know as we want you to get our cherries on time and at their absolute best. Email us on cherries@forestlodge.nz

Please don’t click this as it adds 24 hours onto your delivery. This is a NZ Post system, as it takes them this time to change the address and where the parcel is sent.

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If you contact us directly we can change the postage label before it even gets into the hands of the courier. This is best done as soon as you get the postage notification from us in the 2 days prior to cherries being sent.

Yes, but we are not currently sending to the far North Island rural addresses as we have found that the time it takes to get there especially in the summer heat means the cherries don’t arrive at their best. If you can get them sent to a nearby non rural we really encourage that, especially in the North Island.

Please contact us asap on email cherries@forestlodge.nz

We grow Rainier, Lapins, Sweetheart, Ranier and Kootenay.

At this stage we don't expect to have any varieties that are ready pre-Christmas however our Rainier (White) Cherry is our only variety that potentially could be ready.  This White Cherry variety has a small ripening window and is most affected by weather conditions leading up to harvest.  If not picked by Christmas, this variety will be ready by New Year.

Absolutely, please visit our corporate orders page to place your order.

Yes, Our normal presale will open again in October 2025.