Vander Meer Orchards

Pieter Vander Meer planted his first cherry block in Oliver in 1994 after a decade working other people's orchards. He grows late-season varieties bred in BC — big, firm, almost black when they're ready.

Cherries are a sprint: a block comes ripe over about ten days, and what doesn't sell fresh is gone. A tilted drop means Pieter picks knowing every kilogram already has a home. “First year a drop tilted on a Tuesday, I slept properly for the rest of the season.”