Planted in the 1930’s, Sky Valley Ranch is a unique combination of climate, soil, sunshine, and root stock. The Ranch consists of over 280 acres of premium citrus fruit highlighted by more than 200 acres of what are called “Old Line Washington Navel Oranges.” In the 1930’s this was the primary type of navel orange planted in California. These are the navel oranges that gave California its reputation for the best tasting citrus in the world. The Sky Valley navel oranges were planted using sour orange root stock, commonly used in first half of the 20th century but seldom used anymore. With the advent of the faster growing and hardier root stocks developed in the last forty years, the sour orange stock has fallen out of favor. In fact, what once was common now requires a special order and a two year wait to receive trees developed with this root stock. For the large scale commercial grower this root stock and variety are no longer desirable as they do not produce as quickly or as heavily as the newer stocks. It is, however, the root stock and the age of the trees that gives Sky Valley its unique flavor profile and allows us to call its fruit heirlooms.

Cotter Orchards and its sister company Cecelia Packing are only the fourth owner of Sky Valley. We have spent thousands of dollars per acre in cultural costs including the redevelopment of the irrigation and drainage systems to allow these old trees the best opportunity to continue producing this magnificent fruit. In fact, we managed the farming on this property for fifteen years prior to buying it. With that knowledge and the belief that this is a type of fruit becoming increasingly rare in California, we have developed the “Sky Valley” label to be used exclusively with oranges that meet this profile. Sky Valley Navel oranges are a reminder of another time when fruit was grown for its flavor and enjoyment, not its sizing or its timing. When you see the Sky Valley label you have the assurance that only our finest heirloom Navels go into this package.

Each year we will develop a harvest schedule for Sky Valley Navel Oranges so you will know well in advance how the fruit will be harvested. Along with the schedule we will have projections on sizing and volumes as well as price projections to allow you the best chance to take advantage of the limited offering of this classic California Navel orange.