Bishop's Orchards

What Bishop's Orchards does

Bishop's Orchards, legally B.W. Bishop & Sons, Inc., is a sixth-generation family-owned farm and agritourism destination headquartered at 1355 Boston Post Road in Guilford, Connecticut, stewarding over 300 acres (313 acres per land disclosure) and more than 18,000 trees dating to a commercial orchard first planted in 1909. The business operates a year-round Farm Market with bakery, kitchen, deli, cheese, and grocery departments; multi-crop Pick-Your-Own orchards (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, pears, apples, pumpkins, and flowers); an on-site Winery founded in 2005 producing fruit wines and hard ciders from farm-grown inputs (over 455 medals since inception); and a 2024-launched Creamery serving house-made ice cream. Supporting products and services include an 18-week Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program introduced in 2011 (Full $700, Medium $500, plus specialty add-ons at $250), the Little Red Barn event venue, online ordering with click & collect via StorebyWeb, gift cards/baskets, and a Preferred Customer Rewards Program launched in 2002.

The technical backbone centers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with weekly independent pest-advisor surveys and predator monitoring, on-site stainless-steel pressing with HACCP-compliant sanitation for cider, fruit-wine and hard-cider production (11-12% ABV wines, 6-7% ABV ciders), and a 477 kW combined solar array (1,108-panel ground mount and 381-panel roof array) producing approximately 80% of the farm's annual electricity under the CT DEEP-PURA Agricultural Virtual Net Metering program, partially funded by USDA REAP and CT ZREC. Back-office technology is intentionally minimal: PCI-compliant payment infrastructure, Google Analytics, and StorebyWeb e-commerce; no disclosed AI, ML, or proprietary platform components.

The revenue model is direct-to-consumer across multiple streams: in-store Farm Market retail (year-round), seasonal PYO per-weight container sales (June-October), CSA subscriptions (recurring, prepaid), winery tasting-room sales ($10/person tasting fee) plus wholesale placement in Stew Leonard's of Newington and on-tap at Thimble Island Brewery, creamery retail, venue/event rental at the Little Red Barn, and donation/fundraising programs within a 20-mile radius. Customer segments are primarily local CT shoreline consumers, CSA subscribers, PYO families, wine/cider enthusiasts, and specialty-diet shoppers, with no enterprise or large-account dependence.

Name

Bishop's Orchards

Legal name

B.W. Bishop & Sons, Inc.

Website

https://bishopsorchards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1871

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bishop's Orchards is a sixth-generation family-owned farm in Guilford, Connecticut, stewarding 300+ acres and operating a year-round farm market, Pick-Your-Your orchards, an on-site fruit winery and hard-cider producer, a CSA program, and a 2024-launched creamery serving local CT shoreline consumers primarily through direct-to-consumer retail and subscription channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farm Market Retail and Agritourism

NAICS

Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113), Apple Orchards (111331), Fruit and Vegetable Retailers (445230), Berry (except Strawberry) Farming (111334), Strawberry Farming (111333)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Retail-Grocery Stores (5411)

akta.pro primary industry

Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cider & Orchard Fruit Production (Apples/pears for cider & processing) (AFAGACAJ), Stone Fruit Orchards (Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Cherries, Apricots) (AFAGACAC), Berry Farming (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cranberries) (AFAGACAD), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Produce Markets & Greengrocers (CRAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Farm fresh produce
• Pick your own fruit
• Fruit wines ciders
• CSA farm shares
• Agritourism experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Guilford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Farm Market Retail Sales: Year-round retail sales at the Farm Market featuring fresh produce, bakery items, prepared foods, grocery items, dairy, meats, cheeses, and specialty products. The market is open daily and generates revenue through in-store purchases.
2. Pick-Your-Own Operations: Seasonal Pick-Your-Own fruit operations including strawberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, pears, apples, pumpkins, and flowers. Customers pay per weight or container to pick their own produce.
3. CSA Subscriptions: Community Supported Agriculture program offering 18-week seasonal shares (June-October) with weekly produce distribution. Provides upfront capital for farm operations.
4. Winery and Hard Cider Sales: Award-winning fruit wines (11-12% ABV) and hard ciders (6-7% ABV) produced from farm-grown fruits. Sales through on-site tasting room, farm market, Stew Leonard's of Newington, and online ordering.
5. Creamery/Ice Cream Sales: Bishop's Orchards Creamery offers ice cream, sundaes, and specialty items including the Bishop's Blitz. Open seasonally with extended summer hours.
6. Events and Venue Rentals: Little Red Barn venue hosting live music, trivia nights, and special events. Also offers private event hosting and fundraising programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bishop's Orchards operates a year-round farm market retail store on Route 1 in Guilford, CT selling its own produce, baked goods, prepared foods, dairy, meats, cheeses, and specialty items. It runs seasonal Pick-Your-Own orchards for strawberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, pears, apples, pumpkins, and flowers, and operates an on-site winery producing fruit wines and hard ciders from farm-grown fruits, plus a creamery and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription program.

Product overview

Bishop's Orchards is a family-owned farm market and winery destination offering a diversified portfolio of products and experiences. The core offerings include a year-round Farm Market retail operation, Pick Your Own orchards (seasonal, June-October), an on-site Winery producing fruit wines and hard ciders, and a Creamery serving ice cream. Supporting services include Bakery & Kitchen (prepared foods and baked goods), Sweet Apple Cider production, a Farm Share (CSA) subscription program, Gift Cards/Gift Baskets, the Little Red Barn event venue, Online Ordering with Click & Collect, a Preferred Customer Rewards Program, Construction Tyme children's activity, and Pick Your Own Flowers. The business operates on a platform-plus-services model where the Farm Market serves as the central hub, with Pick Your Own, Winery, and Creamery as distinct revenue-generating sub-brands, and CSA, Online Ordering, and Rewards Program as add-on services that drive customer retention and recurring revenue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Farm Market
• Pick Your Own (PYO)
• Winery (Fruit Wines)
• Hard Ciders
• Bishop's Orchards Creamery
• Bakery & Kitchen
• Sweet Apple Cider
• Farm Share Program (CSA)
• Gift Cards and Gift Baskets
• Little Red Barn Event Venue
• Online Ordering and Click & Collect
• Construction Tyme
• PYO Flowers
• Wine and Cider Tastings

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Stew Leonard's of NewingtonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBishop's Orchards wines are available for purchase at Stew Leonard's of Newington, extending distribution to a well-known regional grocery chain.
• Thimble Island BreweryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBishop's hard ciders are served on tap at Thimble Island Brewery, a regional craft brewery partner.
• Hopkins VineyardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Connecticut Wine Trail network of farm wineries, participating in joint wine trail events and marketing.
• Jones WineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Connecticut Wine Trail network, collaborating on statewide wine tourism initiatives.
• Sunset Meadow VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecticut Wine Trail partner collaborating on wine events and promotional activities.
• Jonathan Edwards WineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecticut Wine Trail partner for joint wine trail events and marketing initiatives.
• Connecticut Wine TrailcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBishop's is a member of the CT Wine Trail, promoting statewide wine tourism with passports and tasting events at participating vineyards and wineries.
• Fair Weather AcrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner farm providing produce for CSA shares when needed, supporting diversified crop offerings and supply resilience.
• VanWilgen's Garden Center of North BranfordcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred plant supplier partnership in its 6th year, providing horticulture products at Bishop's location from April through October.
• Connecticut Farm Bureau AssociationminorOthersMember of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association supporting agricultural advocacy and farm resources.
• CT Agricultural Experiment StationminorOthersPartner in agricultural research and experiment station programs supporting farming best practices.
• EversourceminorOthersElectric utility partner for CT DEEP-PURA Agricultural Virtual Net Metering (VNM) program, providing credits for solar power generated.
• Boar's HeadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelected as deli meat provider for Bishop's Farm Market Fresh Sliced Deli Meats Program, known for exceptional quality with no gluten, artificial colors, MSG, or fillers.
• Cato Corner FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Connecticut artisan cheese producer featured in Bishop's cheese department.
• Liuzzi CheeseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Connecticut cheese producer available at Bishop's Farm Market.
• Cabot CheeseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative cheese brand available at Bishop's Farm Market.
• SARAH FoundationminorOthersLocal non-profit partner supported through donations and community relations programs.
• Guilford RotaryminorOthersLocal service organization partner for community events and fundraising.
• Guilford Chamber of CommerceminorOthersLocal business chamber partnership supporting community commerce and networking.
• Community Dining RoomminorOthersLocal soup kitchen receiving donated produce and support through community relations program.
• Maple Lane FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConnecticut farm source for black currants used in Bishop's Currant State of Mind wine blend.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fishkill Farms: Fishkill Farms is a Hudson Valley, NY (Fishkill) farm with a farm store, Pick-Your-Own (apples, berries, pumpkins), CSA, and on-site hard cider. One of the closest analogs to Bishop's model — diversified farm market, PYO, CSA, and farm-grown cider — in a neighboring Northeast market.
• Lyman Orchards: Lyman Orchards is a large multi-generation Connecticut orchard (Middlefield, CT) with a year-round farm market, extensive Pick-Your-Own, and a winery/banquet facility. Most direct peer to Bishop's — same state, same farm-vertical-integration model, similar PYO/farm-market/winery product mix, but at larger scale with additional amenities (golf, banquet hall).
• Weaver's Orchard: Weaver's Orchard (Morgantown, PA) is a family-run orchard with a farm market, Pick-Your-Own, and cider production. Comparable to Bishop's in the orchard + farm market + cider model and family-business profile.
• Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard: Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard is a Connecticut orchard (Shelton, CT) producing fresh-pressed apple cider, Pick-Your-Own apples, and a farm market. Direct peer in CT, focused on apple/cider production with a PYO and farm market model closely matching Bishop's cider and PYO operations.
• Red Apple Farm: Red Apple Farm (Phillipston, MA) is a family-owned farm with a farm store, Pick-Your-Own apples, hard cider, and on-site events. Comparable in size and model to Bishop's — multi-generation farm with farm store, PYO, and a small cidery.
• Terhune Orchards: Terhune Orchards is a Princeton, NJ farm with a year-round farm store, Pick-Your-Own, winery, CSA, and agritourism events. Closely mirrors Bishop's farm-vertical-integration model (farm market + PYO + winery + CSA + events) in a similar suburban Northeast setting.
• Carlson Orchards: Carlson Orchards (Harvard, MA) is a multi-generation New England orchard with a farm store, Pick-Your-Own, hard cider production, and wholesale apple distribution. Comparable to Bishop's in the multi-generational orchard + farm store + hard cider model.
• Hilltop Orchards: Hilltop Orchards (Richmond, MA) operates a farm market, Pick-Your-Own, and an on-site winery (Furnace Brook Winery) producing fruit wines and ciders. Closely comparable to Bishop's in the combined orchard + farm market + winery model with a focus on fruit wines.
• Linvilla Orchards: Linvilla Orchards (Media, PA) is a large farm market with Pick-Your-Own, bakery, garden center, and extensive agritourism programming. Direct peer with similar farm market + PYO + bakery + events mix, though more agritourism-heavy than Bishop's.
• Rogers Orchards: Rogers Orchards operates two Connecticut locations (Southington, CT) with a farm market, Pick-Your-Own apples, and seasonal produce. Direct peer sharing the same Connecticut farm market and PYO model, with a multi-generation history and similar product mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bishopsorchardsfarmmarket
• Instagraminstagram.com/bishopsorchards
• Xx.com/BishopsOrchards

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bishop's Orchards