About Us

Orchard Landing is located alongside Merkle Field, a grass strip developed by the late Pete Merkle. Merkle Field is a private runway available to patrons of Orchard Landing.

Nathan and Karen Greiner, along with their two sons, planted the first 400 apple trees in 2015. Nathan and Karen are both private pilots and wanted to create a business to complement their love for aviation as a way to keep their family’s airstrip active.

Orchard Landing now has over 1,800 dwarf apple trees of over a dozen varieties of apples. Apples are picked, sorted and bagged for shopper’s convenience. They press fresh cider several times throughout the apple season and make apple cider donuts on fall weekends. Visitors typically see planes land and takeoff while enjoying the sounds of local musicians at the outdoor venue.

The Galena Cider Company was established in October 2022. Hard Landing and Blackjack Berry are their two main flavors. Feature on tap flavors often include Sugar Camp Maple and Island Hopper.

The Greiner Family

Drive out (or fly in?) it's just 12 miles from downtown historic Galena, Illinois.

Visitors to Orchard Landing may be greeted by Lucy, our Goldendoodle and official greeter, pictured here.