Nearly 20 years ago, the Shadbolt family bought a Royal Ann cherry orchard located on 37 scenic acres in an historic cherry growing region, the Eola Hills west of Salem, Oregon. Mike and Marsh began working together to learn about organically growing their cherries, and then drying them without adding any preservatives, sulfites, sugars or oils. Their “cherry hobby” inspired them. And so began Cherry Country, a family owned and operated company based on showcasing the dynamic flavors and healthy benefits of cherries.

In 2001, when Mike retired from his “day job,” they decided to pursue the “cherry obsession” full-time. About this same time, daughter Celeste graduated from college and offered to give her parents “one year” of her time, which is now approaching six years. Today Cherry Country is dedicated to processing (sorting, pitting, drying, chocolate making, and other product pairing) the best cherries from their own Oregon Tilth certified organic orchard and neighboring family farmed cherry orchards (certified organic and non-organic) in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Cherry Country’s signature product is their Dried Cherries & Chocolate, which unlike the familiar cherry cordial does not contain anything other than a dried cherry in the center of the high quality milk or dark chocolate. In addition, Cherry Country now offers four different selections of sulfite-free and sugar free dried cherries and three flavors of cherry pepper jellies made with their best organic Bing cherries. Their newest creation is the award winning Triple Cherry & Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark, most recently featured on the Food Network’s “Road Tasted with the Neelys” in their episode “Trail Blazing Tastes in Portland. Soon, Cherry Country will be offering even more natural and preservative free cherry products.

From our orchard to your taste buds, we offer you our best cherry creations.

Mike, Marsh and Celeste Shadbolt
Cherry Country Orchard & Chocolate Factory
Rickreall, Oregon