Girl Meets Dirt heritage Preserves specializes in single-varietal preserves & natural sparkling wines made from local heirloom orchard fruit. Grown by small family farmers & homesteaders- many varietals come from trees that have been producing their bounty for over 100 years, and some are exclusive to Orcas. Many visitors are surprised to learn that Orcas Island was a major fruit-producing region in the early 1900s -- we are blessed with a longstanding orchard legacy and we take the responsibility of preserving it seriously. That's why we classically prepare our preserves by hand in copper pots, with organic unrefined cane sugar, a squeeze of organic lemon, and fresh herbs from our kitchen garden. We don’t use commercial pectin and rely on time, evaporation, and concentration for the set; for us, it’s all about the fruit and drawing out its full potential. Stop by our jam shop to learn about our production, smell the pots bubbling, and grab a jar to take home. We are just a 5-minute walk from Eastsound proper, parking is available on the north side of the building.
We’re inspired by the fact that so many of these trees have been producing for over a century and want to highlight that terroir by keeping add-ins to a minimum. That’s also why we market our preserves not as jams, but as “Cuttings” and “Spoon” preserves - to encourage our customers to think about fruit preserves differently and to use them in different ways - our favorite being with a delicious cheese & charcuterie board (though they do just great on toast too!). We think this fruit is really special; we hope our preserves help tell their story.
Girl Meets Dirt has been featured nationally and locally in publications such as Epicurious, Sunset Magazine, Saveur Magazine, Edible Seattle, Conde Naste Traveler, Pure Green Magazine, Seattle Met, The Seattle Times, Departures, etc.
They've expanded their shop to stock your favorite hard to find local and artisanal foods - you are welcome to enjoy them picnic style at charming little cafe tables outside their Tasting Room, bathed in Orcas sunlight and the sweet smell of whats on in the jam pots that day. Honoring their love of perfect pairings, they will provide you a complimentary jam service to upgrade your charcuterie or seacuterie picnic.
How it works: visit their Tasting Room on Orcas Island and choose your favorites of their curated selection of delights. From local options (Orcas' own Lum Farm cheeses, Coro Salumi from Seattle and smoked salmon from Finley Vern Fish Co on Lopez Island) - you'll be spoilt for choice with the range of things to try. Add in sought after craft specialty foods such as rich, responsibly harvested tinned fish, artisanal nuts, gluten-free crisps, date-sweetened chocolates, olives and cornichon. With your purchase of two more more items, they'll visit your table with a bespoke jam service to compliment your selection with at least three handpicked flavors to dollop around at your leisure.
They offer beautiful things to imbibe alongside. Pop open a bottle of one of our natural sparkling wines to enjoy in the sun (yes! They make wine now!). Or, enjoy sans alcohol with a selection of sparkling waters or shrub sodas by the glass. This is the perfect recipe for a blissful summer afternoon on Orcas.
Picnic service is available during all Tasting Room open hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-4:30 pm and Saturdays noon-4:00 pm. Find all their handmade goodies at the local farmers markets on Orcas & San Juan Islands.
For more information on wines, booking tastings and bottle sales, please visit our wine website.
