Novakovich Farms is a hidden gem and a living legacy, lovingly cultivated by the third and fourth generation of the Novakovich family. Located in the heart of what was once the Valley of Heart’s Delight, this orchard preserves the rich agricultural heritage of a region once known worldwide for its vibrant fruit industry.

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The Novakovich story begins in 1911, when newlyweds Matt and Mary Novakovich left their homeland in Yugoslavia for a new life in California’s Gold Country. Like many early settlers, they sought opportunity and a fresh start, first in Argentina, then working as a butcher, and finally making their way to the Nevada and California gold mines. In 1925, they found their permanent home in Saratoga, purchasing 23 acres of orchard land on Fruitvale Avenue with a bag of gold dust. Here, they raised their four children on a farm filled with apricot and prune trees, pigs, and chickens, nestled in a charming Queen Anne farmhouse built in 1890.

 

By the 1920s, Santa Clara Valley was a thriving agricultural hub, partnering with over 39 canning companies like Del Monte, Sunsweet, and Valley View Packing, whose goods traveled across the globe. Known as the "Valley of Heart's Delight," the region embodied the spirit of hard work, collaboration, and a commitment to quality that defined the era.

 

In the 1950s, George Sr. and his wife Leah, the second generation of Novakoviches, took over the family farm. George, a volunteer fireman, met Leah, a Southern belle and student at San Jose State, at the Village Creamery on Big Basin Way. After marrying in 1952, they continued the family tradition, raising three sons—Matt, George Jr., and Dan—who grew up immersed in the rhythms of orchard life. George Sr. also served as Fire Captain for the City of Saratoga, managing both his fire department responsibilities and orchard work with Leah and their sons.

 

As the valley transformed, the Novakovich family faced the challenges of urban development and the decline of the Santa Clara Valley’s orchard industry. In 1966, the state purchased part of their orchard land for the construction of West Valley Community College. Unlike many families who sold their farms, the Novakoviches held on, preserving their original land and its heritage amidst a rapidly changing landscape.

 

In 1978, George Sr. took on the management of Saratoga’s Heritage Orchard, a city-owned orchard preserved as a reminder of the valley’s agricultural roots. Even after his passing in 1989, the Novakovich sons carried on their father’s legacy. Matt managed both the family farm and the Heritage Orchard, continuing the family’s dedication to producing the highest-quality Blenheim apricots, French prunes, and cherries.

 

Today, the third and fourth generations of Novakoviches are still at work, tending the same land their grandparents cultivated. While Silicon Valley’s tech giants operate just miles away, the Novakovich family maintains this historical orchard, providing fresh, seasonal fruits and holiday treats to loyal customers in Saratoga and beyond.

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Visitors are always welcome to stop by, chat with the family, and buy fresh produce. Novakovich Farms is more than just an orchard; it’s a steadfast reminder of a bygone era, a testament to resilience, and a symbol of the rich agricultural history that still thrives in the Valley of Heart’s Delight.