Who doesn’t know Harry & David?! When I was growing up I remember our family frequently getting boxes of Harry & David fruit at Christmas–crisp apples, tender pears, and juicy citrus. A few weeks ago I got to visit the place where all that succulent fruit comes from! I was part of a Harry & David blogger trip in Medford, Oregon.
It’s a given that Harry & David know their fruit, but I also discovered they know hospitality too. Our trip started with dinner–not at a restaurant, not at their offices, but at the home of fellow blogger, Sandy Coughlin of the Reluctant Entertainer. Sandy makes having people over easy, doable, and downright fun.
She welcomed us immediately with wine, appetizers, and a beautiful outdoor, fireside meal that included a delicious Harry & David Wild Mushroom and Leek Soup that she ‘beefed’ up for our crowd. In my hungry haste to get to Sandy’s, I forgot my camera, but I did manage to nab our group shot from Sandy! (That’s me on the end with the glass of wine!)
The next morning Harry & David‘s wonderful Orchard Director of 13 years, Matt Borman, gave us a grove tour. He explained how much care and attention these trees take. (They don’t just shake the trees and hope for the best, they handpick each pear!) No GMO seeds either. Instead they use old-fashioned grafting, taking the roots of smaller trees (in this case quince) and graft them to their beautiful Royal Riviera pear trees. This way they get pears they want, but on smaller, more manageable-sized trees. Pretty brilliant, right? The result is row after row of perfect little pear trees.
Naturally we enjoyed many of Harry & David‘s signature Royal Riviera pears during our trip. I remember the gold foil-wrapped pear in the boxes we used to get… and there it was! These pears are just as sweet, succulent, and juicy as they are beautiful–hand picked, carefully washed, and gingerly wrapped, before shipping off.
Along with other tasty treats, Harry & David‘s Chef Tim Keller served this gorgeous appetizer–endive spears filled with stunning Rogue Creamery blue cheese and diced pear, at once light and full-flavored. The pear and blue cheese flavor combo was so good it inspired my pear galette with blue cheese crust for the upcoming Pie Party Live in New York City.
Around this portable picnic table (the same ones used by the field workers) we enjoyed hot apple cider tea and nibbles while learning about planting and pruning, harvesting and shipping. During peak harvest season, Matt says Harry & David serves over 1,000 meals–three hearty meals for their 300+ strong harvesting team–each day.
We also got a sneak-peak at some of their new holiday additions. There were the classic fruit baskets, but there were some new things too…
…from cakes and truffles to gorgeous cookies and a perfect Bouche de Noel! It may only be October, but I’m ready for the holidays!
After seeing all these sweets, treats, and gifts, I was in the mood for shopping. Thankfully we were given some time at the Harry & David Country Village store in Medford, Oregon. I loaded up on tons of goodies including local beer, Rogue Creamery cheese, Royal Riviera pears, and Harry & David’s famous Moose Munch.
In the spirit of giving gifts you’d actually like yourself, I took a moment send gift boxes to my family. I carefully picked each item, and then shipped packages to Sharon and Tony, Mom and Dad, Granny and Papa, and of course, Andy, who was missing me very much by that point. As I left the store, I was giddy with excitement: I could not wait for my family to receive their gifts! I wrote on each one, “A little taste of Oregon from me to you!”
The guiding principle of Harry & David is bringing joy to people, and it works! My grandparents were so touched by the gift of Moose Munch. (Granny pretended she didn’t like her dinner so she could go back to her room and eat the Moose Crunch instead!). And as my sister was eating one of the pears she texted, “Hands down, this is the best pear I have EVER had. No contest. It’s so ripe and creamy inside!” Mom, who had just finished running a half-marathon, came home to a cold ale, ripe pears, and local cheese. She called with a heartfelt ‘thank you’. This was just what she needed. Knowing what your gift means to someone makes you want to just keep doing it!
Before we left, this incredible group of bloggers had to have a photo in front of Max the Moose! Some were already dear friends, others were people I had just met, but by the end of our three days together, we were all a lot closer. It just happens when there’s good food, good wine, good people, and good hosts.
The final night, there was a surprise. As soon as we arrived at dinner we smelled it–Harry & David’s 2013 brand new line of wines! The collection includes four whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Gewürztraminer) and five reds (Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo and a blend–Royal Crest Red). Each is spectacular– I tried them all (part of the job!) but my favorites were the Tempranillo, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Finally, Harry & David has offered a gift box giveaway to our readers! I chose the one with the items I loved most – six of their perfect Royal Riviera pears and four of Rogue Creamery’s finest cheeses. Since I so enjoyed giving my Harry & David gift boxes, I thought it might be fun for our winner to send the box to someone who needs a boost. But if you need a pick me up, we’d love to send you it to you too!
To enter, answer the following question in the comments below:
Who you would send this gift box to and why? (You can say yourself!) – WINNER ANNOUNCED: JENNY C
Giveaway ends Sunday, October 28 at 6 PM EST.
A big thank you to Harry & David and their entire team (including Sandy Coughlin) who made this trip so memorable. Harry & David paid for my transportation, accommodation, and meals, but the opinions expressed in this post are my own.
I would send the package to my parents. I can only see them once a year, so this would be a lovely way to say I was thinking about them.
I would send a gift box to my brother and his wife. They are both surviving with cancer and cancer treatments. The holidays are rough for them to keep up with. I think a Harry and David gift box would be a welcome addition to their holiday cheer.
What a wonderful giveaway. I would send the gift to my 93 year old father-in-law. He loves fruit and goodies!
I have been to Harry & David, too. It was a long time ago, and was a great experience. Love their fruit and have sent it many times as gifts. I would want to get the gift myself, however, that would selfish, so I might just send to my wonderful brother and his wife (if I am in a giving mood!).
What an awesome giveaway! I would send the giveaway to myself because I love Harry and David’s pears and Rogue Creamery cheeses. What a perfect combination pears and Rogue Creamery blue cheese. What a treat! I would enjoy sharing this giveaway with my husband! Moose Munch is quite a tasty treat at anytime!
I would send this to myself to be shared with my co-workers – for two reasons. First, I’m a northwest girl and I miss these tastes of home. Second, I have an amazing team that deserves to enjoy some of Oregon’s finer things. What a great giveway!!! And your tripped looked amazing.
This would go to my parents.
The two have been through a lot in the last year as my father had a stroke and my mother has had two open heart surgeries. This would be a treat for them to receive.
I will send the package to my nephew. He has never eaten pears before in his life. I would want him to try the best out there for the first time. Also, he loves cheese. He will definitely enjoy the contents of this box!
I would send it to my friend who is going through a hard time right now. It looks like the perfect thing to put a smile on her face!
I’d send the gift box to my best friend in Canada, because she needs to be pampered more… she’s always pampering me! 🙂
I would share it with family during holidays
I would send it to myself! My son LOVES pears and my husband and I would love the cheese (and pears). Since I am 37.5 weeks pregnant it would also be a great treat for our family that I wouldn’t have to go to the grocery store to purchase 🙂
I would send this to my son and daughter-in-law. They just had their baby girl on October 12 and are very sleep deprived. I am sure this would help fortify them and bring a few more smiles. Harry and David pears and cheeses. Wonderful.
I would send to my inlaws because they live far away from us and we want them to know that we are thinking about them
I would send it to my 88 year old grandmother in Goshen Indiana. Everyday she gets rides to the nursing home where my 92 year old grandfather is. She spends hours with him each day keeping him company. She also tries to lift up others whether they are residents, staff or family visiting loved ones. This would be fun treat just for her, but knowing my grandma she would share it too!
I would send it myself because my birthday is this weekend and what better gift than fresh pears with cheese. I know my roommates would enjoy it too and it would be a great treat for the party.
I’d send it to my mama. She needs the love and she loves good food.
I’d send it to my husband (sending seems odd since he lives her). He loves fresh fruit, nuts, and sweets. He would so happy.
I would send it to my parents
Don’t enter me in the giveaway, Maggy, but I love your post. Your writing is beautiful, as are you, and I love your photos. You captured it all so well, down to the last night. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying all of your HD products. I LOVE the cheeses, I went back and bought more! 🙂
Great recap of the trip – I can hear the laughter from Sandy’s dinner all the way here in Michigan!!
I would send it to my daughter, in her senior year of college. I can’t imagine a better care package.
Diane
I would send this package to myself & then I would invite family & friends over to enjoy it! The more the merrier!! I love the Fall!!
I would send it to a dear friend who just lost her father.
I would send the box to myself 😉 I have been wanting to try those gorgeous pears for a while now.
I would send this to my co-worker who had heart surgery last week and will be out of the office for the next few months. He and his wife have a two-year-old and I’m sure she would love the pears as much as they would love the cheese.
I would send this to my housemate, she gives of her self to much to me, helping me with my Mom (bedridden) taking over so I may have quiet time and some much needed sleep. She helps when my cash flow runs a bit low, runs errands for me, just like an extension of me when I need her. She loves wines and cheeses, but rarely complains if the budget falls short and we skip a month. I know this would thrill her and be a wonderful surprise especially so close to the holidays. (We are both widows and have been best friends for years) Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity.
I would share it with my sweet parents that live right next door. There are so many thing they can’t eat anymore and this would be a wonderful treat.
I would send these to my daughter, who is going to college out of state. Just a little something to know she is missed and loved.
I would send one to my parents. They have done so much to support me this last year. Plus I might be able to sneak few pears for myself 😉
I would send it to my mother-in-law!
I’d send it to my mother-in-law -she’s the one who introduced me to Harry & David’s in the first place and she always buys my husband and I the H&D coffee sampler at Christmas. (And then I’d head to her house for an impromptu visit …)
this delectable gift would go to my sister-in-law who recently lost her young husband to melanoma. she is french and loves fruit and cheese. we live in oregon, not too far from harry and david, and have visited the rogue river creamery as well, with their amazing blue cheeses. we’d love to send a little piece of oregon, where martine has never visited, to her in massachusetts, to brighten her day and give her something to look forward to when she comes homefrom teaching challenging kids at headstart and is too tired to make a meal. a tenderly buttery and sweet harry and david pear, perfectly ripe, along with a wedge of creamy rogue river cheese would go a long way to making her smile!
I would send it to my husband who loves pears and cheese.
Well, I’d have to be perfectly honest and say that I’d probably enjoy it with my kids. I love introducing them to the finest and the best in the food world.
I would send this box to my Oklahoma cousins so that they can experience a “real” fall!
I would send it to my boyfriend who is convinced pears taste like nothing. I would love to share how amazing pears can be when they are in season and grown with love. Oh, and adding cheese to the mix would just put it over the top.
This would be for my adorable husband…he’s so fond of everything fresh and gourmet!
I would send this gift box to my dear friend Becky. I live in Portugal and she lives in the US. She has come to see me more times than I can count, but because of life and other details, I have yet to go see her. She is always in mu thoughts, though, and I would love to tell her Hi and I Love You with a gift of food, the best I know!
Definitely to my sister because she is such a foodie that she would appreciate the yumminess more than most!
I would send it to my kids they love pears and cheese.
I would send it to my mother. She needs a little pick-me-up right now!
I would send it to my Mom. Because not even all of the gifts in the world could ever repay her for what she has done for me!
Would love to send to my mom who is middle of chemo treatment. She needs to eat fresh food PLUS needs to eat high calorie with out sugar. Sounds like pears and cheese to me!
I’d send it to my daughter in Minnesota, she loves this sort of gift!
I would send it to myself, but share it with my husband and my sister-in-law and her fiance. Paired with the perfect beer and wine, it would be a great night to catch up, and discuss plans for the upcoming wedding!
My son and his wife would love this!
My wonderful boyfriend who supports me in all aspects of my life!
I would send this lovely gift box to my husband and daughter– he loves cheese and she loves pears, so it would be perfect for them. Maybe they would even share a little with me… I love both!
I would send it to myself 🙂 I’ve never had a Harry and David box, and me and my hubs would love to give them a try 🙂