A Short History of Romero’s Orchard

Romero’s Orchard is owned and operated by Clovis J. Romero, one of the areas most respected and experienced fruit growers. Mr. Romero has been operating the orchard since 1964. The orchard was originally planted by his father Octaviano Romero in the early 1900’s and has seen 1 replanting in the 1950’s. The orchard has roughly 330 trees, the majority of which are of the Red Delicious variety. Other varieties include Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Winesap, Stamen Winesap, MacIntosh, Johnathan, Red Rome, Johnny Red and some old summer apple varieties that come to harvest in early August. Other fruit trees include Lincoln and Bartlett pears; Hale, Alberta and Haleberta and Early Giant peaches; Italian plums; and several different varieties of Apricots.

The orchard requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice but Mr. Romero always found a way to juggle raising his family, having a full-time job at the State Land Office in Santa Fe (which he retired from in 1991), and operating the orchard. His late wife Nina and his two children Matias and Felice, helped out with the picking during the season.

Matias has helped his father with the orchard since moving back to the area from Phoenix, AZ in 1992 and plans on taking over operation of the orchard in the near future. Both Clovis and Matias consider working the orchard as beneficial “therapy” to combat the woes of everyday life. “There’s nothing like being outside among the trees breathing in the fresh air and taking in the exquisite natural beauty of the Embudo Valley”, says Matias. Both Matias and Felice now have their own families and their kids really love to go to Grandpa’s place and play in the orchard.

Please feel free to browse the photos of the orchard and immediate surrounding area as they truly capture the natural beauty of this “hidden jewel” of a valley. And, please come a visit us too!

The orchard is open for business beginning around Labor Day weekend and on through the first weekend in November which coincides with the Dixon Studio Tour.

Photos will be updated periodically.

Thanks and we hope to see you soon!

Clovis J. Romero
Matias A. Romero