Menu
Cosmic Crisp® apples are grown by a small group of 16 of Australia’s best apple growers who have been hand-picked for their expertise, dedication, and passion for producing exceptional quality fruit. Their orchards are located in the heart of Australia’s premier apple growing regions — the Yarra Valley (VIC), Batlow (NSW), and Manjimup (WA). This not only enables us to keep Cosmic Crisp® apples locally grown, but also benefit from each region’s unique climate which contributes to the distinct crunch, juiciness, and vibrant flavours of these exceptional apples.
Through our careful selection of world-class growers and the ideal growing regions, coupled with the superior qualities of the Cosmic Crisp® apple itself, we guarantee a consistently outstanding experience with every bite. Each apple is a promise of an eating experience that’s out of this world, from its delicious sweet-tart flavour balance and vibrant red skin, to its crisp juicy white flesh that’s incredibly slow to brown. Read on to meet some of our growers and discover the dedication that goes into every Cosmic Crisp® apple.
Michael, Joe, Max and Jack are second- and third-generation apple growers, whose family have been growing exceptional quality apples in Victoria’s pristine Yarra Valley for over 75 years. Located just an hour east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is renowned as one of Australia’s premier regions for apple and pear cultivation. Their family owns and manages several orchards here, which benefit from the area’s cool climate, ample rainfall, and fertile soil. They’re ideal conditions for producing Cosmic Crisp® apples with vibrant colour, delicious flavour, and the perfect crunch.
Michael, Joe, Max and Jack Napoleone represent the second and third generations of a family deeply rooted in the tradition of apple growing in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. “Our family began growing apples back in 1948, and being the third generation of an Australian-owned, family-run business – Red Rich Fruits – makes us especially proud,” Joseph said.
Their orchards benefit from the unique climatic conditions that the valley offers. “We’re in a cool climate region, which gives us the chill hours needed in winter for the trees during their dormancy period. Then, during the growing season, we receive enough rainfall and the cooler weather is just perfect for growing apples,” Max explains.
Since the early 2000s, their family has been exploring different apple varieties, and their interest was piqued by the Cosmic Crisp® around 2013. After observing its progress in the U.S., the business applied for and was granted the rights to grow and manage this variety in Australia in 2019, though the first trees were not planted until 2021. “We’ve just harvested our first crop in 2024 and anticipate full production by 2029. It’s been a 10-year journey from discovery to having the apples ready for the market,” Joseph notes, highlighting the long-term commitment and planning involved in introducing a new variety.
A key attribute they sought in new apple varieties was longevity and freshness post-cutting, which they found in the Cosmic Crisp®. “It’s crisp, tangy, crunchy, has an excellent shelf life, and importantly for families, it doesn’t brown quickly, making it ideal for use at home,” Max adds, pointing out the practical benefits that align well with the needs of modern consumers.
“We’re excited to be bringing locally-grown Cosmic Crisp® apples to Australian shoppers and can’t wait for you to try them” Joseph finished.
Situated in the heart of Batlow NSW, Domenic and Caroline’s orchard ‘Seven Springs’ is not only home to rows upon rows of WA 38 trees producing some of Australia’s finest Cosmic Crisp® brand apples, it’s also their family’s happy place. They love nothing better than spending weekends down on the farm. And every season brings something different and equally beautiful.
Domenic and Caroline couldn’t resist the chance to acquire the unique Seven Springs Orchard in the premier Australian apple growing region of Batlow, NSW when the opportunity presented itself. Viewing it as a seamless addition to their successful Sydney Markets wholesale venture, All Seasons Produce, they saw an opportunity to apply their extensive experience to elevate Seven Springs to new heights.
Since taking ownership in 2012, their focus on innovation has led to significant investments in hail netting and the introduction of new apple varieties, including the Cosmic Crisp® apple. Seven Springs and Batlow are cherished locations for Domenic and Caroline, providing a perfect getaway for their family, who are growing passionate about the art of cultivating and providing top-quality produce for the Australian market.
Mario is a third-generation grower, packer, and marketer of apples, pears, and stone fruits, whose orchards are spread across Western Australia’s pome growing regions. In recent years, he has diversified his orchards by introducing a variety of new fruit cultivars, including the innovative Cosmic Crisp® apple. Mario is particularly excited about the Cosmic Crisp® due to its non-browning attributes, which he believes will make it a hit, especially for uses like slicing into lunchboxes or foodservice, where appearance is key.
Situated in the prime apple-growing locales of Manjimup and Pemberton, Mario’s WA 38 cv. orchards which produce Cosmic Crisp® brand apples benefit from a unique microclimate. The area boasts loamy soil, annual rainfall between 1200 and 1300mm, and some of the cleanest water in the world. This combination of factors contributes significantly to the superior quality of the fruit produced. “There’s no other place in the world like it, and that’s why we get such good fruit,” Mario asserts.
Mario also advocates for the healthy lifestyle choices his produce can support. “Instead of having ice cream at night, cut up a Cosmic Crisp® apple. You’ll feel just as full, but believe me, the next morning you’ll feel a lot better,” he advises.
Yarra Valley Region, VIC
The Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia, is blessed with a cool climate, ample rainfall, and rich soils, creating ideal conditions for Cosmic Crisp® brand apple orchards to flourish.
The region's crisp air and distinct seasonal changes enhance the apples' vibrant colours, intense flavours, and firm texture. These cool conditions allow for a slower ripening process, enriching the apples with natural sugars and acidity. The result is consistently high-quality Cosmic Crisp® apples, meaning you get the perfect piece of fruit every time.
Batlow Region, NSW
The Batlow region in New South Wales is renowned for its fertile soil and crisp mountain air, making it a prime area for cultivating Cosmic Crisp® brand apples.
A cool climate zone, the fresh, cool air and significant seasonal shifts result in apples with deep colours, robust flavours, and a crisp texture. These conditions promote a gradual maturation, intensifying the fruits' natural sweetness and tartness. Batlow's unique combination of natural resources and climatic advantages establishes it as a top producer of premium apples, highly valued across Australia and beyond.
Manjimup Region, WA
The Manjimup region in Western Australia is a pristine landscape known for its cool, wet winters and mild summers, creating perfect conditions for growing apples. The area is graced with deep, loamy soils and a consistent climate that fosters the cultivation of crisp, flavourful Cosmic Crisp® brand apples.
This region's clean air and moderate temperature variations allow apples to develop vibrant colours and firm textures. The gradual ripening period enhances the apples’ natural sweetness and acidity.
The WA 38 apple trees which produce Cosmic Crisp® brand apples typically reach full bloom about five to seven days following the ‘Gala’ and ‘Red Delicious’ varieties; their blooming period is slightly shorter than that of ‘Red Delicious.’* Each bud typically hosts four to six blossoms, with individual flowers measuring large at approximately 53.9 mm across. The petals are white, accented with red-purple highlights, and the sepals show a yellow-green colour with tips tinged in red-purple.
The fruit matures from late March to early April in our key growing regions, around four weeks after ‘Gala’ and three weeks before ‘Fuji’, coinciding with the ‘Red Delicious’ harvesting period. The fruit is notably large, akin to ‘Fuji’ in size and bigger than ‘Gala’, and is round conical in shape. The average measurements include an equatorial diameter of 8.4 cm and an axis length of 7.9 cm.
At the time of harvest, the fruit displays a distinct bloom (the fruit’s own natural protective coating), and the skin’s undercolour belongs to the red group with overstreak from the grayed purple group. The skin is populated with numerous, small, round, and smooth lenticels. The skin of the fruit is smooth, with no russeting noted.
The perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavour and crisp crunch of Cosmic Crisp® apples, combined with their incredible slowness to brown and ability to last in the fridge makes them a versatile ingredient to have on-hand in the crisper drawer.
Returning to Australian supermarkets and greengrocers in July 2025.
Calling all chefs, astronauts, science nerds, dreamers, and all apple lovers! Get Cosmic Crisp® news, giveaways, recipes, exclusive downloads, invite-only content, and more.
© 2024 Red Rich Fruits