What Are Gravenstein Apples and How Can I Order Them?

It’s Gravenstein apple time! The FruitGuys has celebrated the Sebastopol Gravenstein for almost twenty years. Every August during the harvest, we highlight this specialty apple by packing it in our limited-time Annual Gravenstein Apple Box. Last year, we got a lot of questions about the Grav, so I thought I’d answer some of them for you. Let’s start with the basics: What are Gravenstein apples?

1. What are Gravenstein apples, and what makes them special?

The Grav is special because it’s considered a heritage apple (Russian trappers brought it to California in 1811), and only a handful of farms in California still grow it. The Sepastopol Grav is even listed as an endangered food in Slow Food USA’s Arc of Taste. Locals love the Gravenstein for its rarity and sweet-tart flavor. If you happen to be in Sebastopol on August 9–10, 2025, you can check out the Gravenstein Apple Fair that’s been held in Sonoma County since the 1970s.

2. Why are Gravensteins only available for a few weeks each year?

Gravensteins taste the best when they’re fresh-picked—just as nature intended! Farmers usually start harvesting them in late July or early August, and since they’re rare, the supply only lasts a few weeks.

3. I’ve seen red and green Gravensteins—what color are they supposed to be?

Gravs can vary in color. Some are more green than red, while others are red with green hints. There are even striped “Rosebrook” Gravs! But they’re all sweet-tart and delicious. Many people use them for pies and applesauces.

4. What size are Gravenstein apples?

Gravs vary in size based on weather, which farm they come from, and other factors. One farmer told us that last year’s apples were smaller than average because of the heat. This year, he said they’re looking bigger. Because Gravs are an heirloom apple and there are only a few orchards left, they’re not as uniformly large as most grocery store apples, but they make up for their varying size with abundant flavor.

5. Are Gravensteins more delicate than other apples?

Gravensteins are best handled with care because they have soft skin that bruises easily. We baby them and pack them by hand, but they still get the occasional bruise during transport. Luckily, those bruises are only skin-deep and don’t change their sweet-tart flavor.

6. Why do Gravensteins cost more than other apples?

So many people love Gravensteins that there aren’t always enough to go around. They’re a prized, limited-time treat, especially when they’re grown with organic practices. We’re packing only the best organic Gravensteins in our 2025 boxes!

7. Where does The FruitGuys get its Gravensteins?

We source organic Gravensteins from two farms: Devoto Gardens & Orchards and Appleseed Farms. Watch our video to learn more about the farmers, Stan Devoto and John Kolling. We give Stan and John an additional 16% of the proceeds from the Gravenstein Apple Box to help them continue cultivating this special apple.

8. Where can I buy Gravenstein apples?

If you can’t make it to Sebastopol to check out the 2025 fair, we’d love to send some Gravs your way. You can preorder them now on our Annual Gravenstein Apple Box page, and we’ll start delivering them the week of August 18. We have a couple of different box sizes to choose from. They’re a great treat for the office or gift for a baker in your life!

Still have questions about Gravensteins? Check out our blog “Ask a Farmer: FAQs About Gravenstein Apples.”