Our History
Edward Charles Fahey (Ted Senior) and his wife Ellen began farming at Darkes Glenbernie Orchard in 1939. Beginning with cutting and selling firewood, the family moved through various farming pursuits such as growing vegetables and keeping cattle until Edward (Ted Jr, pictured) convinced his father to grow fruit trees in the 1950's.
Six generations later, our family are still growing apples and stone fruits, selling them from our farm shop.
Most recently we have developed our award-winning apple cider, apple cider vinegar and honey mead, which can be enjoyed at our farm shop. Farm experience tours get you a back door look at the world of orcharding - bookings are essential.
We are really proud of our ‘pick your own’ and other special event days on the farm that celebrate horticulture and apple wine (cider) making.We are more than an orchard, we are a destination.
The Roots of the Business
- Apples, peaches, nectarines and persimmons are grown.
- Apple cider apples and heritage apples are grown for use in cider making.
- Fresh fruit is sold from the ‘Apple Shack’. Apples and other fruit are also sold to wholesale customers.
- Apples from our orchard are used in making ‘DARKES Cider’.
- Honey is harvested from within the farm and in the local area, and sold at our shop.
- Honey is made into DARKES Honey Mead.
Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Award winning clean, crisp alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
DARKES Brewing products are proudly produced using fruit from our 6th Generation Orchard. Taste test our apple cider and honey meads at our farm shop. Book a group tasting. Order online. Interested in stocking our apple cider or honey mead products for your business? Know someone that needs to stock our products? Get in touch!
