Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, WA, will celebrate the limited season of its popular Piñata apple variety by providing consumers with a chance to win a getaway for two to Maui, HI, by entering its online sweepstakes now through Feb. 5.

“Our tropical apple, Piñata, is warming up produce departments right now and we’re excited to offer one lucky Piñata fan with the chance to warm themselves up through this first-of-its-kind sweepstakes at Stemilt,” Brianna Shales, communications manager at Stemilt, said in a press release.

The grand prize of the “Slice of Paradise” sweepstakes includes airfare for two to Maui, three nights and four days of hotel accommodations, and $500 in spending money for dining and activities. The winner is slated to be selected at random and announced around Feb. 12.

Stemilt is the exclusive marketer of Piñata apples in North America. The apple was bred in Germany in the 1970s and is a cross between Golden Delicious and two heirloom varieties, Cox’s Orange Pippin and Duchess of Oldenburg. Stemilt introduced Piñata as its signature variety in 2009, and quickly saw it became a sought-after apple among consumers.

“Piñata’s parentage gives the fruit a great crisp texture, balanced sugars and acids, and hints of pineapple for that tropical finish,” said Shales. “It’s a unique apple with a loyal consumer following that grows each year.”

Stemilt packs Piñata apples in a high-graphic, tropical-themed box with the fruit’s flavor profile, “classic apple flavors with a tropical twist,” messaged prominently. The apple is available from November to May each year, with nationwide availability starting in January. 

The Slice of Paradise sweepstakes joins other promotion activities Stemilt has done recently to get the apple in front of consumers. Stemilt featured the variety at a Meet the Growers dinner for bloggers in Seattle in September, at Food Fete in New York in October, at BlogHer Food in Chicago in November, and has partnered with Seattle chef Ericka Burke to feature the fruit in dishes at her three Northwest restaurants all winter.

“Reaching influencers in the food world and offering grocery shoppers a range of recipes helps inspire consumers to use Piñata apples in new ways,” said Shales. “The Slice of Paradise sweepstakes helps us raise awareness about the fruit’s availability in supermarkets and is a fun way to give back to the apple’s many fans.”