Jeter Mountain Farm sits on 400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Hendersonville, NC — a first-generation apple orchard built by a fifth-generation farming family that has turned itself into one of western North Carolina’s most complete agritourism destinations. Beyond the u-pick apples, it’s home to a hard cider taproom, a smokehouse, a bakery, a coffee house and a full retail market, which makes it a genuinely full-day stop rather than a quick tasting-room drive-by.
A Florida Tomato Farm’s Fifth Generation, Planting Their First Apple Trees
Jeter Mountain Farm is owned and operated by the Hunsader family — brothers Jared and Tyler, along with Jocelyn and Kelsey — who represent the fifth generation of a farming lineage that traces back to a roughly 1,000-acre tomato operation in Florida. The Hunsaders acquired the 400-acre property, previously used as an equestrian farm, in 2005, and it took until 2014 for the family to plant its first apple trees, working alongside patriarch Mike Hunsader. The farm began growing commercial tomatoes in 2015, but apples became the centerpiece: today the orchard grows more than 20 varieties of apples plus peaches, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, elderberries and pumpkins across roughly 75 acres devoted to agritourism. Jeter Mountain Farm opened to the public for its first u-pick season in fall 2020, and by their own account is now in its sixth-plus year of business.
What to Taste — and Do
The centerpiece for visitors who want something to drink is The Cider Co., the farm’s on-site hard cider taproom, where all ciders are crafted, kegged and canned from apples picked and pressed right on the property. The taproom debuted with a single tap of “The Original” hard cider and has since grown into a rotating six-tap lineup, with flights, pints and mix-and-match four-packs available. For several years, the taproom also served as the featured pour location for Flat Rock Cider Company’s fruit ciders — including blackberry, mango, pineapple and cherry varieties — so a visit here can double as a tasting of both brands. Beyond cider, the farm runs the 1813 Smokehouse for in-house smoked barbecue, an Orchard Coffee House with locally roasted coffee, the Orchard Baking Co. for scratch-made goods, and the Orchard Scoop for small-batch ice cream — plenty to round out a visit that started with u-pick apples.
The Setting and the Experience
Jeter Mountain Farm leans hard into being a family destination: a 6,000-square-foot indoor children’s play area, weekend live bluegrass, a large farm market and gift shop, and a 6,000-square-foot back porch with a bar and mountain views. U-pick requires a reserved time slot — apples, berries, flowers and pumpkins depending on the season — but general admission to walk the farm, shop, eat and visit the taproom is free. The property is largely handicap accessible, including the market, taproom, coffee shop, bakery and back porch, with a wheelchair lift available on one of the orchard wagons. Dogs are welcome per the farm’s pet policy.
What Else Is Nearby
Jeter Mountain Farm is a short drive from both downtown Hendersonville and Brevard, two of the more walkable small-town centers in the region, and a quick trip from Asheville. That geography makes it easy to pair with a Flat Rock Cider Company stop, another Henderson County cidery, or a walk through downtown Hendersonville’s Main Street shops and galleries as part of the same day.
Planning Your Visit
From Boone, plan on roughly 105–115 miles and about 2 to 2.25 hours of driving each way via US-221 and I-40 — this is a full-day trip, not an afternoon errand. Jeter Mountain Farm’s hours change seasonally: as of the current season the farm has been open Saturdays and Sundays 10am–5pm during the summer, with added Thursday and Friday hours in the fall harvest season, and the farm notes that the last u-pick wagon heads out at 3:30pm — so arrive with enough daylight left if u-pick is on the agenda. A reservation is required for u-pick time slots but not for general admission. Given the distance and the winding roads on both ends of the trip, a private vehicle with a professional driver lets your whole group enjoy the taproom and the orchard without anyone needing to stay sharp for the drive home.
Wine Tour Transportation to Jeter Mountain Farm
Ashe County Livery offers private, chauffeured wine tour transportation to Jeter Mountain Farm from Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson and across NC’s High Country. Our Jeter Mountain Farm trip-planning page covers drive times, tasting-room hours, group sizes and pricing.
Travel in a luxury SUV, sedan, or Sprinter van with a professional chauffeur — everyone in your group gets to taste, nobody has to drive. Plan your Jeter Mountain Farm tour or call (336) 484-1350.
Other High Country wineries we serve: Flat Rock Cider Company · Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards · Point Lookout Vineyards & World’s Edge Meadery — or browse every High Country winery, cidery and meadery we provide transportation to.
Explore More from Ashe County Livery
- High Country Wine Tours — Mountain winery shuttle service
- Yadkin Valley Wine Tours — Explore NC’s premier wine region
- Wine Loop Shuttle — Hop-on hop-off winery tours
- Wedding Transportation — Luxury shuttles for your big day
- Wedding venues we serve — 40+ High Country venues
- Airport Shuttle Service — CLT, AVL, GSO & TRI transfers
- Airport shuttles by town: Boone · Blowing Rock · Banner Elk · West Jefferson · Linville · Beech Mountain
- Ashe County Livery — Premium transportation in NC’s High Country
- Request a free quote — or call (336) 484-1350
🍷 Planning a Wine Tour in the NC High Country?
Ashe County Livery offers private, luxury wine tour transportation throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skip the driving and let our professional chauffeurs take you from winery to winery in comfort and style.
Serving Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and all NC High Country destinations • (336) 484-1350
You Might Also Like
