The inaugural NY Cider Festival at Radio Social in Rochester, New York was nothing short of a fantastic success! With an initial goal of 300 attendees, we were thrilled to see the space filled beyond our expectations with enthusiastic cider lovers, foodies, and industry professionals alike. This event was truly a celebration of New York’s incredible cider community and the thriving local businesses of the Genesee Valley region. 

From the very beginning, the energy was palpable. Guests were greeted by the irresistible aromas wafting from the food truck Taste of Soul, which served up delicious soul food that perfectly complemented the crisp ciders being poured. There was a constant line of people eager to taste their offerings, and the buzz around the truck added to the vibrant atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the day was the Cider & Cheese Pairing sessions hosted by Rachel Freier, owner and cheesemonger of The Cheese Club. Rachel captivated audiences with her deep knowledge and passion, guiding them through two thoughtfully curated pairings. The first featured the unique flavors of Steam Punk Cider, while the second showcased the exceptional profiles of Embark Craft Ciderworks. The sessions were a hit, offering a perfect blend of education and indulgence, and providing festival-goers with new appreciation for how cider and cheese can elevate each other.

 

Live music by Cooper Scotti filled the space, creating a lively and welcoming ambiance that kept spirits high throughout the event. Cooper’s talent and engaging presence made him a crowd favorite, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for everyone in attendance.

The festival showcased an impressive lineup of participating cideries, each bringing their own distinctive flavors to the event. Local producers like Apple Barrel Orchards, Blue Barn Cidery, and Blue Toad Hard Cider, Blake’s Hard Cider, City Orchard, Donovan Orchards Estate Ciders, Embark Craft Ciderworks, Lake Drum Brewing, OSB Ciderworks, Three Falls Cidery, Tree Hugger Hard Cider, Star Cidery, and Steam Punk Cider delighted guests with their diverse selections. This range of offerings showcased the innovation and quality coming out of New York’s cider industry.

Adding to the local flavor, artisanal vendors such as Peters Pickled Peppers and Pickles, Oakfield Corners Dairy, Brighton Honey, and the NY Apple Association offered guests the opportunity to explore unique products that paired beautifully with the ciders. The presence of industry professionals, including bottle shop owners, pommeliers, restaurant owners, and members of craft beverage associations, highlighted the event’s influence in connecting key figures in the craft beverage world.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, whose mission is to bring awareness to the many small businesses in the Genesee Valley region. Their support ensured that the NY Cider Festival went beyond being just a tasting event; it became a platform for celebrating the region’s rich agricultural heritage and fostering connections among local producers and consumers.

After the main event wrapped up, the festivities continued at Muller’s Cider House, where attendees and participants gathered for a lively after-party. It was a perfect end to a magical day, leaving everyone excited for what the future holds for NY Cider Festival!

The excitement doesn’t end here. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be doing it all over again in New York City on November 16th at Location05 in Hudson Yards! This upcoming event will bring even more NY cideries and enthusiasts together for a day of exceptional tastings, live music, and more. We can’t wait to see everyone again for what promises to be another unforgettable celebration of New York’s cider community. Cheers to everyone who helped make this day a true success, and here’s to many more!

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NY CIDER FESTIVAL - NYC

While we’re still a couple weeks away from the start of Cider Week New York, the crew at Twin Star Orchards wanted to get September kicked off right, with a big old party featuring New York crafted beer, wine, spirits, and of COURSE cider. Headlined by Brooklyn Cider House, there was plenty of NYCA representation at this iteration of the Hudson Valley Craft Beverage Festival.

While the weather outside was a touch gloomy, and by the end of the first tasting session there was quite a storm that passed through, this did not dampen the spirits of the vendors nor the attendees!

In all, there were nine cider producers in attendance, seven with NYCA representation. The crowds were very enthusiastic about the entire event, with most tables having little downtime between thirsty consumers ready for another taste at great New York produced libations. In fact, even with the weather, it was announced that ticket sales were projecting towards one of the best attended festivals for Twin Star Orchards!

With such a scenic and spacious location to host events such as this, Twin Star Orchards has quickly gained a reputation as one of THE places to attend an event anywhere in the Hudson Valley. With the success of this year’s events, it’s easy to imagine that next year’s events will be even more anticipated by fans of NY Cider, throughout the state & beyond!

Author: Damin Sawyer

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!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Scott Ramsey

PHONE: (646) 772-5871

EMAIL: scott@newyorkcider.org

GET READY FOR CIDER WEEK NEW YORK 2024:

IT’S JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

(Beacon, NY_Sep 24, 2204) – Mark your calendars—Cider Week New York is back, kicking off on Saturday, Oct 5 and running to Sunday, Oct 13! Across all of New York State, cideries, restaurants, and bottle shops will be pouring, tasting, and celebrating the best of NY Cider. From exclusive tastings to chef-curated cider pairings, orchard tours to cider festivals and cider markets, there’s something for everyone. Want to join in on the fun? Whether you’re a cider lover, a cider enthusiast, or just cider curious, you can find the full calendar of events on the new NY Cider Trail App which can be downloaded from where you get your favorite apps or head to www.ciderweeknewyork.com for event details and updates, and don’t miss out on all the delicious action!

“Cider Week New York is the ultimate excuse to explore the state’s incredible cider scene! Whether you’re discovering and mapping out your very own cider trail adventure to discover hidden gems on our new NY Cider Trail app or hitting up a local festival, orchard, tasting room, or restaurant showcasing New York’s finest ciders, it’s the perfect way to sip your way through the New York State’s rich harvest. Get ready to experience the best of New York and NY Cider, one delicious pour at a time!" says Scott Ramsey, Executive Director, New York Cider Association.

“As a fifth-generation family of apple growers, crafting 1911 Established Hard Cider is our way of canning the essence of New York State's rich agricultural heritage. Each year, Cider Week New York offers us the unique opportunity to share our passion with fellow cider lovers and celebrate the deep connection between our family, the land, and our craft. This year, we’re thrilled to return as Presenting Sponsor and showcase our latest hard cider creations—each one a tribute to the seasons and the fruit we’ve nurtured for over a century," says Eddie Brennan, President & Co-Owner, 1911 Established Hard Cider.

Participating NY Cideries includes 1911 Established Cider, Angry Orchard Cider House, Apple Barrel Orchards, Black Diamond Cider, Blake's Hard Cider, Blue Barn Cidery, Brooklyn Cider House at Twin Star Orchards, Buried Barrel Hard Cider, Clarksburg Cider Co., Eve's Cidery, Finger Lakes Cider House, Graft Cider, Grisamore Cider Works, Hudson North Cider, Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, Lake Drum Brewing, Little Apple Cidery, Merchant's Daughter, New Leaf Cider Co., New York Cider Company, Nine Pin Cider, Original Sin Cider, Pennings Farm Cidery, Quartz Rock Cider House, Seminary Hill Cidery, Shrewd Fox Brewery & Cidery, South Hill Cider, Steampunk Cider, and Treasury Cider at Fishkill Farms.

Cider Week New York has been celebrated for over 10 years and is produced by the New York Cider Association. Directly tied to New York’s agricultural cash crop of apples, cider in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of over 2400% over the past ten years and now has a $1.7 billion total economic impact to the NY state economy. With over 120 producers making over 5 million gallons of cider every year, New York continues to rank first in the country for the number of cider producers and second for apple growers. For more information, visit www.ciderweeknewyork.com

Before diving into the world of cider, Chris Jackson enjoyed a vibrant career first as an Environmental Engineer and then as an Art Director, working with powerhouse companies like Disney, Pixar, and Lucasfilm. In addition to his creative work, Chris is also a lifelong musician, playing both solo and in a band called Nice Guy Eddie. However, it was love that ultimately brought him to New York. His long-distance relationship with his now-wife, Kelly, drew him across the country, where he would soon embark on a new chapter, both personally and professionally.  

Chris had always dabbled in home-brewing beer as a hobby, but his true introduction to cider came in 2017 when he stumbled upon a Cider Week event. One sip of Applewood Winery’s “Naked Flock” cider brand followed by Andy Brennan's "Aaron Burr" cider at a taproom event sparked his curiosity, and he found himself irresistibly drawn to the world of hard cider. Inspired, he and a friend purchased a cider press, sourced apples, and began experimenting with cider-making.

Not long after, Chris faced a pivotal moment in his career. He was offered a traditional job, but his heart was set on working in cider. A sales position at Treasury Cider caught his eye, even though his real passion was for production. Although the sales role was no longer available, he noticed an opening for an assistant cider maker. With his chemistry background and growing experience in home cider-making, Chris jumped in to help, quickly proving his talent and securing the role of assistant cider maker.

Then, the pandemic struck. When the head cider maker had to step down, Chris found himself in a new position—first as interim, then as permanent cider maker. His story is one of passion, persistence, and following the path that speaks to your heart. Today, Chris holds the prestigious title of one of the first 100 Certified Pommeliers in the world and serves as Vice President of the New York Cider Association.

            
When asked about his vision for cider’s future, Chris draws a comparison to music: “I’d like to see cider be more like Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats instead of Metallica,” he says. He believes that cider should be diverse and distinctive, not just the homogenous offerings often seen on grocery store shelves. Like when a unique band breaks through with a fresh sound, it’s exciting until others start copying it.

As for his work at Treasury Cider, Chris remains dedicated to his minimalist style—favoring ambient yeast fermentation and only introducing yeast at bottling to carbonate. Staying true to Treasury's "Tree to Bottle" mission is his guiding principle.
Chris Jackson’s journey from art and music to cider making is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and perseverance.

NEW YORK CIDER CAN FINALLY BE SHIPPED DIRECT TO CUSTOMERS!

Governor Hochul signs Direct-to-Consumer Legislation into Law

(Beacon, NY_August 19, 2024) – The New York Cider Association is thrilled to announce Governor Hochul has signed into law the landmark Direct-to-Consumer Shipment Bill for Cider and Spirits. Sponsored by Senator Skoufis and Assemblymember Lupardo, this legislation finally allows NY Cider growers, producers, and farmers, as well as manufacturers of NY craft spirits and mead, to safely ship directly to their customers in New York and also to other states that allow shipment. The ability to direct ship was made available to NY Cider producers during the pandemic but that allowance was rescinded when the Executive Orders ended. Being able to ship directly to consumers was a lifeline during the pandemic and will mean that NY Cider small farmers, growers, and producers, can connect directly with their customers and build their businesses in a safe and effective way. This new direct-to-consumer legislation will take effect in 90 days just in time for the upcoming holiday season.

 

“After years of needing this for our emerging industry, we are so grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Governor Hochul in signing the Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Bill into law. With her signature, she has recognized the significant contribution our NY Hard Cider producers bring to the agricultural and tourism economy of their communities and to this state. This legislation not only establishes parity with the NY Wine industry but also strengthens NY Cider’s capability to build this growing category for all parties involved and respond to the consumer’s needs in a contemporary 2024 marketplace. By allowing our NY Cider growers, producers, and farmers the ability to ship their world class NY Ciders and directly connect with their customers to build their small businesses in a safe and meaningful way, this legislation helps to secure NY Cider’s leadership status in this industry while also fostering the growth of NY Cider’s economic impact and viability to our state’s agricultural landscape,” says Scott Ramsey, Executive Director, New York Cider Association.

“As a NY Cider producer and a multi-generational apple farmer, and after years of asking for the same ability that the NY Wine industry has had for decades, I am thrilled that our industry can finally ship our products to our customers! This common-sense legislation allows us to connect directly with our customers, build our brands, and bring our full potential to the NY Cider sector. Being able to build our markets via direct shipment creates an opportunity for us as small agricultural businesses to maintain our leadership status and expand the category of NY Cider into markets that have not existed before. This will encourage travel and tourism and allow us to continue to reach forward and fully embrace our place as The State of Cider. We are incredibly grateful to see the value of our work acknowledged and supported by the Governor in such a powerful way!” says Jonathan Oakes, Steampunk Cider and President, New York Cider Association.

 

“We’ve worked long and hard to achieve this obvious modern-day option for consumer choice across New York State as well as to achieve needed parity among the craft beverage industry sectors.  Our sincere gratitude to Governor Hochul for signing the bill in time for the upcoming holiday season which provides farm cideries the opportunity to begin offering exciting cider options not found on the shelves to New York cider fans.  The establishment of this new channel of trade will position New York farm cideries to continue supporting the Empire State’s extraordinary orchards and farms – Drink NY Apples!” says Sonya del Peral, Nine Pin Ciderworks and chair of NYCA’s Government Affairs Committee.

 

Directly tied to New York’s agricultural cash crop of apples, hard cider in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of over 2400% over the past ten years and now has a $1.7 billion total economic impact to the NY state agricultural economy. With over 125 licensed producers making over 5 million gallons of cider every year, New York continues to lead the country in the number of active cideries and is second for apple growers in the country. To learn more and gain access to the newly launched NY Cider Trail app, visit www.newyorkcider.org.

Fly Creek, NY – The Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the title of Best Cidery in the United States by readers of USA TODAY. The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, which recognizes the best in travel, entertainment, and lifestyle, nominated 20 cideries nationwide. During the four-week voting period, readers were invited to vote for their favorite, and Fly Creek Cider Mill emerged as the top choice, finishing as the number one cidery in the country.

“The USA TODAY Network is one of the largest and most influential local-to-national publishing organizations in the country, and we are beyond excited to be recognized as America’s Number One Cidery for 2024,” says Bill Michaels, owner of Fly Creek Cider Mill. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff, who ensure every visitor has an exceptional experience. We are deeply grateful to our loyal fans and visitors who supported us with their votes.

Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, a premier agritourism destination in New York State, offers visitors a unique experience, combining history, tradition, and a passion for quality cider-making. Guests can witness cider being made on the historic 1889 water-powered, water-hydraulic press, which produces over 20,000 gallons each fall. Since 2002, the Mill has offered hard ciders and apple wines and was recently enhanced with a new tasting room that serves tasting flights and ciders by-the-glass.

This accolade is not just a win for the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard but is also a reflection of the vibrant cider and apple culture in New York State. As a proud member of the New York State Cider Association and the New York State Apple Association and a key player in the regional agritourism industry, the Fly Creek Cider Mill continues to uphold its reputation for excellence, shining a spotlight on New York agriculture.

The fresh-pressing season will kick off on September 12 with the arrival of the apple harvest. As the Fly Creek Cider Mill gears up for a busy fall season, visitors are encouraged to come and experience why Fly Creek was voted the best cidery in the nation. The Mill is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the season will run through December. For more information and to view the pressing schedule, visit the website at www.flycreekcidermill.com.

 

Rockland Cider Works is owned and operated by Elisabeth and Darin Van Houten. The Van Houtens have always run a charming garden center, offering annual and perennial bedding plants, local produce, cage-free eggs, herbs, and Christmas trees among many other products. One day, while enjoying a cold beer at one of their beautiful garden centers, they had a delightful idea: why not serve adult beverages in their picturesque garden? With Darin already homebrewing beer and a friend discovering an old apple press, they decided to try their luck at making cider.

They perfected a hard cider recipe using dessert apples that they coined Dry Run! It is a dry, unsweetened cider, unlike anything they had ever tasted before. The rest, as they say, is history. Five years ago, leveraging their existing farm and garden center, they ventured into the cider industry—an entirely new endeavor for their local region. It’s been a rollercoaster journey, but the Van Houtens have reaped the benefits of their hard work through the strong relationships they’ve forged. They cherish the friendships they’ve made with customers, many of whom they might not have met otherwise.

Due to some unfortunate ongoing litigations from their neighbors Rockland Cider Works was forced to closed their Pear River location. They opened a new location in the Catskills on Elisabeth's family farm to continue keep their dream alive. They hope to one day run both locations successfully.

They hope to raise awareness about cider among adult beverage consumers. They continue to face challenges regarding urban farming, agrotourism and disgruntled neighbors but they continue to fight For the cider and craft beverage industry as well as farming rights.   You can find more about their history on the Van Houten Farms website. The Van Houtens have strategically crafted certain ciders with the dream of seeing them in specific beloved locations. They aspire to see their Plantation Keys (pineapple cider) selling in the Florida Keys and their Crush It (orange cider) in Maryland.

Rockland Cider Works’ trademark slogan has always been “Growing Good Times,” a mission they live by and hope to continue contributing to our growing industry.

Cheers to Elisabeth and Darin!

 

Alex Gill has always been an admirer of Indian Ladder Farms, a centennial farm renowned for its seasonal pick-your-own berries, apples, and pumpkins, situated near his hometown. As a child, he cherished the times spent at their orchard, making lasting memories while picking apples. As he grew older, Alex found himself drawn to the food and service industry, working in coffee shops and food co-ops. Despite this, he yearned for more fulfilling work.

In 2016, Indian Ladder Farms opened their tasting room, and the owner, Dietrich Gehring, introduced Alex to their production process. Alex was instantly captivated by their cider and eagerly offered to help in any capacity. Recognizing Alex's enthusiasm, Dietrich offered him a bartending position. As Alex delved deeper into the fermentation process, his curiosity about the myriad varieties of cider grew, leading him to assist in all aspects of cider-making. His dedication and passion saw him rise to the role of head cidermaker, a position he has proudly held for six years.

Alex envisions the cider industry evolving towards greater consumer engagement and cultural appreciation. He believes this can be achieved through a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques. "A cidermaker must respect and pay homage to old-school cider-making while creating something approachable for first-time consumers," he says. In his personal journey, Alex aspires to build a strong cider-making team at Indian Ladder Farms and educate the public on the importance of orchards and farms to encourage them to explore the world of cider. His biggest piece of advice to aspiring cidermakers is to embrace mistakes, as they often lead to the greatest developments.

Raise a toast to Alex Gil, a remarkable asset to our industry!

For this month’s Member Spotlight, I take you all to the Finger Lakes; a region in New York State known for its incredible orchards, hidden gems of apple cultivars, and their wide array of cider. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Autumn Stoscheck of Eve’s Cidery in Van Etten, New York. Autumn had an igniting energy about her as we spoke cider. It is this infectious positive energy that reminds me why cider is growing in the adult beverage category. One thing she said that still resonates with me was: “apple farming is tough in both nature and climate, so we must be tougher”.

“Apple farming is not for the faint of heart. You take the unpredictability of nature, combine it with climate chaos and then try to make a living off of it. You have to love stress and risk at least a little bit.”

When Autumn was 19, she took a leave of absence from Cornell and got a job at a local U-pick orchard where she fell in love with orcharding. She began to wonder if she could figure out a way to make a living doing it. At the same time she was also waitressing in the evenings after working on the farm where she was introduced to the world of fine wine. A cover on a 1999 issue of Fruit Grower’s News, detailing grower Steve Wood’s efforts at bringing traditional English cider apples to his New Hampshire farm sparked an idea to bring these two interests together with dry, orchard-based cider. In 2002, Autumn opened Eve’s Cidery. Eve’s Cidery began as a way to use surplus fruit at the U-pick orchard but soon evolved into a much larger project of planting and growing over 50 different varieties of apples grown specifically for the purpose of fermenting. Today, Autumn and her husband Ezra, along with friends, family, apprentices and employees farm 20 acres of certified organic apples and ferment them into an array of ciders with a focus on natural cider making. Eve’s is distributed across New York and NYC, as well as in a half a dozen other states and in Scotland.

When asked where she would like to see her cider, she simply replied: “I’d like to see my cider as an everyday pantry staple. Just as you might always have some beer in the fridge or a bottle of wine in the cellar, I’d like my cider to be the example of a dry, local, orchard based libation that you serve to friends”