Indigeny Reserve is a hard cider and organic brandy distillery located on a sprawling 120 acre preserve, covered in apple orchards. The scenic setting is home to various festivals and special events on weekends year-round and offers something for every member of the family during the week as well. Adults enjoy the tasting room and gift shop while children love playing on the expansive grass fields and picnicking alongside the population of local deer.
Parking at Indigeny Reserve
Although there is no public transportation to Indigeny Reserve, plenty of free parking is offered onsite. There is a paved parking lot in front of the main entrance to the tasting room and gift shop and several well-maintained unpaved overflow lots surrounding the property.
Best and worst time to go to Indigeny Reserve
Indigeny Reserve is open 7 days a week, Monday – Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Thursday – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To optimize your people watching experience, visit on a weekend when the grounds are at their busiest. The park-like setting is often utilized for weddings and special events on weekends, as well as an occasional festival. For a more serene experience, drop in during the week when it tends to be quieter and the chances are higher that you'll spot some of the native deer population.
Admission to Indigeny Reserve
There is no admission fee. The tasting room even offers free samplings of Indigeny's hard ciders and brandy (and apple juice for the kids). If you like what you taste, drop by the gift shop afterward to peruse the unique offerings and pick up some cider to take home and share later.
Must see/do at Indigeny Reserve
The Fall Festival is held every year, close to Halloween when the apples are at their peak of ripeness. Aside from catered food and local vendor booths offering local wares for purchase, the festival also features live music, a corn maze, a scarecrow contest, a pumpkin patch with several unusual and unique varieties of pumpkin and a children's game area with a fun apple theme. Don't forget your camera for some incredible Autumn photos of the family, especially by the gorgeous covered bridge.
Other places to visit near Indigeny Reserve
After touring the property and tasting the wares, head into town to explore Sonora's historic Washington Street and grab a bite to eat at Diamondback Grill. The family run restaurant is located in one of Sonora's incredible Gold Rush era buildings, serves delicious hand-crafted food (made from local ingredients) and has its own Wine Bar located next door. The restaurant is incredibly popular among locals so plan to wait a few minutes for a table, but the friendly environment, amazing food and great service make it worth the wait.
Insider tip for visitors to Indigeny Reserve
If you visit in the spring and are impressed enough to plan a return trip, ask about getting an apple in a bottle! The gift shop offers visitors the chance to sign a bottle that will then have an apple grown inside it. You can return in late fall to pick it up. What you do with it after that is up to you, but don't miss the unique opportunity to impress and confuse your friends!
Author's bio: Ann Milligan is a wife, mom, author and artist who resides in California's beautiful Gold Country. She can often be found painting wildflowers, dancing with her kids, and nom-nom-noming on local apples.