Union is a village of fewer than 300 people, but the Wostrel family has been growing fruit here for more than a century, and it shows. Eighteen apple varieties grow on the property, and in fall a covered hay wagon carries visitors out to the U-pick rows and back — the wagon driver usually talks through what’s ripe and what tastes like what on the way.
The Country Store is the real draw: fresh-pressed cider from the orchard’s own fruit, cider donuts, jams and jellies, and pies — classic apple plus the caramel apple pie that sets the bar for orchard pies across the region. On-site concessions add cider slushies, root beer floats, and hot cider, and there’s a wine tasting room pouring Nebraska wines. Come for the Applejack Festival (Sept. 18-20), Taste of Applejack (Sept. 26-27), or Focus on Pumpkins in October — and arrive early, because the best pies sell out on busy weekends.