203: The Business of Cider | FLX Cider House, NY

Good Life Farm was started in 2008. On this same spot of land overlooking Cayuga Lake after the barn was built, the Finger Lakes Cider House opened 6 years later in 2014. Both the farm and the Tasting Room and Cidery were founded by Melissa Madden and Garrett Miller. Much has changed over the years the past 11 years. Madden and Miller have parted way and what was once a corn field now stands an formidable barn. That barn houses the cidery in the lower level and a full service Tasting Room and Cider Store on the main floor.

There is now a pond in the center of the field, rotating crops, and a flock of geese that are both entertaining and semi watch dogs of the hawks overhead. This site is a destination stop that is worth taking your time to settle in drink cider, have a bit of food, and take in the beautiful surroundings.

In episode 96 of Cider Chat, Alex Kroh interviewed both Madden and Miller on the farming practice known as permaculture used at the farm on site called “Good Life”.

Jimmy Miller in the Finger Lakes Cider House — A well organized cidery!

In this episode, I speak with Garrett on the journey of starting a business at 22, and looking back at lessons learn and the future of the Finger Lakes Cider House and Good Life Farm looking forward.