History matters Zanger’s family has been farming the fertile soils around the Pacheco Pass since 1908. His ancestors were Italian immigrant farmers and winemakers from Calabria in search of a Mediterranean climate like that of their home country. They found it in the lush Pacheco Valley, where they planted the region’s first orchards and vineyards. Zanger’s great-uncles went on to operate a cannery and two wineries in Santa Clara County.
Farming the land Casa de Fruta started as a little cherry stand in 1947. In addition to cherries, the family has grown apricots, pears, prunes, walnuts and winegrapes. They still farm 3 miles south of Casa de Fruta, but Zanger says most of the orchards have aged out. Today, the land is devoted to producing winegrapes and fresh-market tomatoes. Casa de Fruta continues to serve as an outlet for not just that farm’s products but those of other local farms.
Customer favorites With Casa de Fruta’s range of goods and activities, pinpointing what’s most popular can be tough. Zanger says customers most often mention the fruit stand, “but I do not think it would be as popular if everything else Casa de Fruta has to offer were not here too.” What makes it special, he says, “is really the experience, the memories made.” Items such as fruit wines, flavored nuts, dried Blenheim apricots, pomegranate jelly and blackberry pies remain bestsellers.
Keep them coming back Zanger says his family works hard to maintain the grounds and provide an array of foods and activities to make the experience a fun time. “Sometimes it is the little more subtle changes that make the difference,” he says. “We are fortunate not to be like an amusement park that has to add a high-value thrill ride every few years to remain a popular park to visit.”
Ching Lee clee@californiabountiful.com
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