Scott Donovan, founder and former owner of BlackBird Cider Works and current owner of his newly launched brand Donovan Orchards Estate Ciders, has never been one to shy away from hard work. With a professional resume that includes experience in manufacturing management and later in Big Four Public accounting as an internal auditor, Scott’s professional journey has always been diverse. His love for cider, however, truly began during his time in the Pacific Northwest in the early 2000s, where the cider culture was just beginning to blossom. As an experienced home-brewer, Scott was instantly drawn to the craft, and his frequent trips to Europe for his work only deepened his appreciation. He sought out English, French, and Spanish ciders, refining his palate with each trip.
In 2006, Scott took the plunge, purchasing a lakeside commercial apple orchard in Somerset, NY. As he learned the complexities of growing apples and pears commercially, Scott and his team began experimenting with cider blends in small batches. Scott's passion for cider truly ignited after attending Franklin County Cider Days, where he connected with fellow enthusiasts and many of the OG cider makers.
With the guidance of his long-time friend and Finger Lakes winemaker, Steve DiFrancisco, the foundation for Donovan Orchard’s “BlackBird Cider Works” brand in 2011. By late 2011, after years of refining both their apples and their recipes, Scott and his team were officially licensed to produce and sell their cider. In March 2012, the Donovan Orchard Estate tasting room opened its doors. In 2015, their award winning New England Cider was recognized as a commercial example in the 2015 BJCP standards guideline, a significant achievement in the cider world. Scott’s contributions to the cider industry didn’t stop there. His love for the craft led him to serve as a judge at GLINTCAP—the world’s largest cider competition—where he’s graced the judging panel an impressive eight times!
From modest beginnings, Scott’s dedication has grown Donovan Orchard’s BlackBird Cider Works brand into a medium-sized producer of award-winning craft cider. With numerous gold medals from prestigious competitions like the New York State Commercial Wine and Cider Competition, the Great American Cider Competition, and more, his ciders have consistently proven their excellence. Scott sold the BlackBird Cider Works brand to Resurgence brewing company in 2023 and immediately launched his new brand, Donovan Orchards Estate Ciders. A collection of artisanal ciders made using fruit from their orchards and employing European cider making techniques including sparkling the ciders using the traditional method. Scott now enjoys operating a small cidery with a small team of talented employees.
Scott's overachievement extends far beyond the orchard. As a founding board member of the New York Cider Association, Scott has been instrumental in shaping the industry. Additionally, he has served on the American Cider Association board from 2014 -2016 (formerly the United States Association of Cider Makers), where he participated in the lobby effort for the passage of The US Cider Act, further proving his commitment to the craft. Scott Donovan is a cider legend and a true champion of the industry. Today, we raise our glasses to honor his passion, dedication, and the remarkable impact he’s made. Cheers to Scott!