Help revive your local orchard!!

Our Vision: Old Mill Orchard has a rich history rooted in community and tradition. It began with the Saulsbury family, who planted over 600 apple trees across 6.5 acres. At the time, it was called Jimmy Appleseed Orchard, and it truly took a village to bring the vision to life. Over the summer, we’ve had the joy of meeting many people who shared fond memories—planting trees, learning about orchard operations, enjoying the famous apple crisp, and watching the Saulsburys drive their iconic bus in the parade.

When the Saulsbury family sold the property, it became Glacial Ridge Winery, and with that transition came new traditions. Wine tastings, Thursday night live music, grape stomps, weddings, and themed parties quickly became community favorites.

When the Mackbee family purchased the property, they set out to continue those traditions while adding their own flair with delicious meals and fresh ideas. However, as owners of two restaurants and a bakery, they found that the care required for the property was more than they could take on. When we reached out to Mateo with interest, he knew we would honor the vision and carry it forward with care.

Our plan is to merge the beloved tradition of wine tasting with the Mackbees' legacy of exceptional food by creating The Tasting Grove—a Prohibition-style wine bar featuring 1920s-era cocktails, local beer, and curated charcuterie boards. We’re combining the vintage glamour of the Roaring Twenties with the rustic charm that already defines this special place.

Then there's Old Mill Orchard—where do we begin? Over the years, it’s been somewhat overlooked while other parts of the property thrived. We’ve inherited around 125 aging trees that need some serious TLC. Our mission is to breathe new life into the orchard by rehabilitating existing trees, planting 40–80 new ones in the spring, and relocating the healthiest trees to spots where they’ll thrive.

We’re excited to revive the tradition of orchard tours and educational field trips, helping the community learn how apples grow and how the trees are nurtured. We also envision wedding ceremonies nestled among the trees, concerts in the orchard, family portraits, apple cider pressing, u-pick apples, and even good old-fashioned apple bobbing!

While this is our vision, it’s just the beginning. We’re actively seeking funding from state and community grants to help bring it all to life. For now, we’re starting with the resources we have. All proceeds go directly to our orchard fund. We are proud to be working with a local nursery to ensure that, as we grow, we support other small businesses in our community. We appreciate all the support you have shown us throughout the summer and we plan to bring more fun to the community as we continue to grow.

With Love,

Emily & Dillon Martin