Gould Cider & Apple Pressing

I’ve been looking for a cider mill like the ones I grew up with in Michigan, and this is the closest I’ve come. I wanted a small farm operation that is focused on being a cider mill, and not trying to be an amusement park. Gould’s delivered. This will now be our go-​to Fall outing.
From the NW of Chicago, it took about an hour each way. The location is pretty simple to get to. It was a beautiful fall day, once the rain stopped, with the maples in full blaze. When we arrived, they had just finished a pressing — they were washing apple bits off the press which is in clear view of the sales desk.
They had a nice little bonfire going, which my kids enjoyed while they munched their donuts. They also had a large chicken coop, which my city kids found fascinating. Kids ran among the trees in the orchard. A few families snapped pics, but most of the traffic was people coming in to get their cider and donuts and go on about their day. The chatter around the bonfire seemed neighborly, and the pace in general was relaxed and comfortable.
Gould’s keeps bees and had honey for sale. They also had fresh apples for sale. Two gallons of cider and a bag of fresh donuts came to $ 21. They accept cash and checks. On a sign in the shop it said their last weekend this year would be Oct 31/​Nov 1, but check their Facebook page to be sure.

100yr+ cider mill still going strong. Go early to get some cider donuts too. One of the few places you can still get unpasteurized cider.
Here is a short video I did of the operation:

Don’t want to wait in line at Kuipers? Look no further, this place has your apples, apple cider and apple cider donuts.
The cider is great, similarly priced to other apple orchards. The apple cider donuts were good, a bit more dense than Kuipers donuts, but still tasty. It won’t take more than 5 minutes to get your donuts including the walk from the car. Easy to get to (across the street from a large horse farm) with a small parking lot.
The staff are friendly and cordial.
Insider tip: Donuts are made on Saturdays only, so that’s the only day you can get them.
It’s worth the trip out. I’m not 100% sure when they close down for the winter.

Great place. It was a bit of a drive, but I didn’t mind at all. I really like partaking in these kinds of things that people just don’t appreciate any longer.
We got there about 15 minutes before closing. They weren’t pressing any more for the day, but he had about 10 gallons left. We bought three. The cider was excellent. We got there too late for donuts and stuff, but did buy some apple butter and other preserves. The three gallons lasted us about a week; I think we’ll head out either tomorrow or next weekend to get some more before the season is over. I’d like to use some in my Thanksgiving brine, and I’ve learned you can freeze it for a year, so it might be nice to have some later in the year.
Looking forward to heading back and going a bit earlier when things are swingin’ a bit more. And — of course — to get a yummy apple cider donut or two.

LOVE it! Great place to take the kids… very nice folks!

Took a leisurely drive out into the «country» this morning to visit this cute little farm that has history back to the late 1800s. My sister tipped us off to the «to die for» apple cider doughnuts, and she wasn’t kidding.
We were greeted as we entered the farm by a yellow dog that closely resembled Martha (those with little ones will know who she is), and a stray kitten who seemed to immediately take a liking to me.
We bought a bag of donuts and sampled their cider, then followed with a half gallon of cider to take home. We sat outside around a campfire and enjoyed some donuts, cider and our new furry friends who seemed to like the doughnuts as much as we do.
Overall, a wonderful autumn Sunday morning with delicious cider and doughnuts, perfect weather, friendly people and a fun run through the leaves with the baby.
We’re already almost out of doughnuts, and we can’t wait to go back for more.
Bring cash and don’t wait too long after they open at 10am, because the doughnuts sell out fast. It’s worth the drive.

What a cute little place — well worth the drive out into the «country» on a lovely fall day. Outside, you will see a couple of goats, a very luxurious dog who seems to have a very good life, some indoor-​outdoor kitties and a cute little house, along with the shop where the cider and other goodies are sold. The doughnuts are quite excellent and the other items like honey are reasonably priced. The best thing, of course, is the cider. Super delicious, 100% apple goodness in every sip. If there’d been more room in my fridge, I’d have gone home with several more gallons than I got. Very good stuff. Folks were very friendly, too. Definitely somewhere we’ll visit again!