It all began in 1975 when my parents traded their globe-trotting adventures for the scenic charm of the Capay Valley in Northern California - where the veggies are fresher than your Instagram feed. After a few years of rustic living, they had a lightbulb moment: why not grow something on all this gorgeous land? Plus, they had two energetic kids (yep, yours truly!) who were destined for college. Thus, a walnut farm and a college fund were born - because who needs a trust fund when you can cultivate an entire orchard of nuts?
Fast forward to post-graduation (the “nut” fund worked wonders!), and this farm girl was diving headfirst into the chaos of NYC, launching my interior design firm and hosting those binge-worthy home renovation shows. Every holiday, I’d cram bags of freshly harvested organic walnuts into my suitcase - my secret stash for surviving long hours on set and the subway. Friends, clients, and local chefs would beg for them, raving about how “incredible” they were. I appreciated the compliments, but honestly? I was baffled. Were they tasting walnuts or the elixir of life?
Then came my “a-ha” moment, courtesy of my husband, Eric. Early in our dating days, he sweetly gifted me a bag of organic walnuts from a trendy health store. I took a bite and - yikes! - had to spit it out faster than a contestant on a cooking show facing a mystery ingredient. It tasted like regret: old, dry, and bitter. The look on Eric’s face was pure comedy - like he’d just realized he’d forgotten my birthday.
That hilarious moment made us realize that most people don’t have access to the incredible experience of freshly harvested organic walnuts - those crunchy, flavorful bites that put store-bought varieties to shame. Spoiler alert: now you do!
For over 40 years, I’ve watched my dad, affectionately known as “Corky,” pamper his trees like they’re part of a high-maintenance family. With all that love and dedication, I knew we had to share these fresh, delicious nuts with the world. That’s how CORKY'S NUTS came to be - honoring my dad and ensuring everyone can enjoy walnuts that taste like a warm hug from Grandma. Because let’s be honest, who doesn't want a tasty crunch that feels like a cozy hug in snack form?
- Nicole (the farmer's daughter and now farmer)
Here I am (Nicole), already offering fresh seasonal goods (almonds) before our walnut orchard was put in.
OUR COMMITMENT
Did you know that when you buy organic or even conventional walnuts from a store or a big online retailer, that bag could be up to two (maybe even three) years old? After the fall harvest, most walnuts are stored in who-knows-what conditions until someone finally decides to snag them off the shelf. The only hint you get about their age is the expiration date on the package. Good luck figuring out how long those nuts have been sitting around - you might as well slap a “vintage” label on them.
Let’s be honest: who wants old nuts? We certainly don’t! That’s like biting into a day-old doughnut - disappointment wrapped in a sugary façade.
In the US, 99% of walnuts are grown in California and harvested between September and October. Our certified organic (CCOF/USDA) walnuts begin shipping directly to you in early December, right after harvest. We craft our award-winning small-batch provisions in our own certified organic commercial kitchen and hand-pack them with care - because every nut deserves a little extra love!
CORKY'S NUTS is here to change how you think about walnuts by delivering fresh, seasonal, organic goodness straight from the farm. Imagine sweet, creamy, buttery bites that turn every snack time into a treat. Sounds pretty fantastic, right?
As we always say, "You haven't truly tasted a walnut until you've tasted CORKY'S NUTS." Trust us, your taste buds will thank you for the upgrade!