There’s something about the first cherries of the season that feels like a promise kept. After months of gray skies, muddy boots, and pruning loppers, we finally step into the sun — and taste that bright burst of summer again. At Chelan Ranch, the season begins with Santina cherries, our earliest-ripening variety. They’re glossy, deep-red, and perfectly sweet — and we’re shipping them fresh off the tree, straight to your doorstep.

If you’ve been waiting all year for that first bite of a Pacific Northwest cherry, this is the one.

What Makes Santina Cherries So Special?

Santina cherries are the early birds of the orchard. They ripen before any of our other dark sweet varieties, and they do it with style — heart-shaped, deep red, and firm with a subtle crunch when you bite in. We grow them organically on the east slopes of the Cascade mountains, where long sunny days and cool nights give them their color and concentrated sweetness.

These cherries are our season’s first harvest and are always the most eagerly awaited. People ask about them like they ask about old friends: “Are the Santinas ready yet?”

And when they are, you’ll know. We pick them in the cool morning hours, pack them the next day, and ship them out carefully. No long detours. Just good fruit, grown with intention.

So, How Long Is Cherry Season?

Cherry season here in Washington is short — and frankly, a little dramatic. It sweeps in quickly, thrills everyone, and then leaves before the cucumbers even get their act together.

Here’s a quick look at the timeline:

• Early June: Santinas arrive — first to ripen, first to ship.
  
• End of June through July: Our other cherries come in—Lapins, Skeena, and, if you’re lucky, Rainiers.
  
• Late July: The last high-elevation cherries bow out and summer shifts again.
  

If Santinas are the opening number, you don’t want to miss them.

Grown Right

These cherries have been grown for generations. We’ve been certified organic since 1995, long before it was trendy. To us, it’s always just been the right way to farm.

We feed the soil, protect our pollinators, and never treat our fruit with anything we wouldn’t feed our kids (and grandkids). If you’ve ever wondered what real food from a real farm tastes like, here’s your answer.

How to Store and Enjoy Santina Cherries

When your box arrives — and yes, it’ll feel like Christmas in June — here’s how to keep your cherries at their best:

• Store them in the fridge right away
  
• Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat.
  
• Eat them straight from the compostable bag like a wild animal — or if you’re feeling fancy, try them:
  
  • Over Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey
    
  • In a summer salad with arugula and goat cheese
    
  • On a charcuterie board
    
  • Frozen on a hot day (trust us)
    

And when the season ends, our freeze-dried cherries are a smart backup plan — no pits, mess, and all the flavor.

Why Order from Chelan Ranch?

We’re not a giant operation. We’re a family farm with a small, committed team and much love for the land. Every cherry you buy from us is hand-picked, carefully packed, and shipped from our farm to your door in days.

We ship your cherries in Green Cell Foam, a compostable, plant-based insulation made from non-GMO U.S. corn. It's soft, protective, and totally backyard-compostable—or you can just rinse it down the drain. It's good for your cherries and great for the planet.

Here’s what you get:

• Certified organic, tree-ripened cherries
  
• Direct-to-you shipping — no middlemen
  
• Sustainable packaging
  
• A connection to a place and a family that genuinely loves growing food
  

Here’s what our customers are saying:
“These cherries were ridiculous. I’ve never had fruit this fresh show up at my house. My kids ate an entire bag in two days.”
— Megan C., Denver

Order June 10 — Santina Season Is Short

We’re not kidding — Santinas only stick around for 2–3 weeks. If cherry season were a party, Santinas would be the guests who show up first, look great, and leave early (before anyone gets weird).

So don’t wait. Get them while they’re here.

Let’s Get You Some Cherries

Whether you’re treating yourself, surprising a friend, or just ready to celebrate that summer is finally here, we’ve got a box with your name on it.

👉 Plan to Order Santina Cherries – June 10
👉 Sign up for Cherry Season Updates so you never miss out on the good stuff

FAQs

Q: Why does the branding on the packaging say Chelan Beauty rather than Chelan Ranch Organics?                                                                                                               A: We rebranded from Chelan Beauty to Chelan Ranch Organics in 2023—same company, different name.

Q: How long are Santinas available?                                                                                        A: Just a few weeks in early June. They’re the first to ripen and the first to disappear.

Q: Can I send them as a gift?
A: Absolutely. Leave a note at checkout and we’ll include it in the box.

Q: Are these organic?
A: Yes — certified organic for nearly 30 years. We don’t cut corners.

Q: Can I visit the farm?
A: Yes! Our U-Pick cherries start in July. Check out our U-Pick page and plan your trip.