Solferino Cherries is located in the South West Slopes region of Young NSW. The property was purchased by Samantha and Tony Flanery in 2019 where ‘diversification proves the cherry on top for
the Flanery Family’.

Samantha and Tony Flanery run a highly diversified operation and for the past thirty years their focus has been fine wool and lamb production in conjunction with broadacre cropping.

A run of dry seasons experienced between 2000 – 2019 prompted the couple to explore how they could use their land more intensely, for increased production and further business growth. After years of consideration, in 2019 they purchased another mixed farm, 35 kilometres from their home property.

While Tony had some previous experience growing dryland cherries, the couple admits they jumped into the deep end relatively blind. “Ignorance really is bliss” Samantha laughs.

Young, is a prime cherry growing region, benefitting from rich soils,  an advantageous climate, and an altitude high enough to achieve fruit sweetness.

Samantha and Tony note that “growing cherries is a delicate balance of nature and science. The correct pruning and nutrition schedule is critical to the following year’s production, and as bud development occurs pretty much as soon as the cherries are picked, there really is limited
downtime”.

Harvest ends around Christmas time, with pruning beginning in February. Currently, Solferino grow ~10 different cherry varieties each with its own genetics and unique pollination requirements – a further aspect of production facilitating newfound knowledge and skills.

Growing ten varieties enables staggered fruit production throughout the growing season, however, come harvest time it’s one month of pure intensity.

Harvest begins in mid-November, ensuring cherries are adorning tables throughout the festive season.

“I get excited about cherries as we don’t have them all year round, they’re so specific to the time when the whole of Australia relaxes and has a family time, they really are associated with fun, vacations and happy times”.

Cherry season is just around the corner, and for orchardist Samantha Flanery, that sweet crunch through the glossy fruit is synonymous with joy.