“You could have cider that could be from anywhere – we want to make cider from somewhere.” Tom Heeman Heeman Cellars is a multi-generational farm near London, Ontario that grew from strawberries and bees into cider and mead production focused on heritage apples, blending, and terroir. In this conversation with Tom Heeman, we taste through … Read more
This archival episode of Cider Chat brings together five experienced cider makers answering real-world questions from beginners at CiderCon 2019. Originally released as Episodes 174 and 175, this combined feature presents a comprehensive Q&A covering everything from fermentation and stabilization to business strategy, equipment, and scaling a cidery. The discussion bridges the gap between hobby … Read more
Liberty Ciderworks in Spokane, Washington is an urban cidery focused on traditional methods. While located in the city, their cider reflects deep agricultural roots. Cider maker and founder Rick Hastings ferments with wild yeast, ages cider for 3 to 12 months, and source fruit from nearby orchards. This approach creates cider with structure, balance, and … Read more
In this episode of Cider Chat, we hear from Tom Hart of Humboldt Cider Company, located in Eureka, California along the rugged Pacific coastline behind what locals call the Redwood Curtain. We also discusses preserving the original Albert Etter orchard in Humboldt County and continuing the legacy of these historic cider apples. Humboldt Cider began … Read more
This episode of Cider Chat explores the growing Maine cider scene through Absolem Cider Company in Winthrop, a farm-based cidery helping shape New England’s evolving cider identity. Located on a 60-acre farm in Winthrop, Maine, Absolem Cider Company is a cidery that expresses place, heritage apples, and hospitality. In this episode, Ria sits down with … Read more
Tom Oliver is delightfully talented, mischievously witty, and not only a renowned cider maker but also a top-notch perry maker. He may say, “If you’re going to make perry and work with pears, you’ve already identified yourself as being criminally insane,” but what we found was simply a bold maker willing to go the extra … Read more
At the base of Burrow Hill life moves at the pace of apples and oak. Here, Julian and daughter Matilda Temperley are testment to the value of family for carry a business such as cider and brandy forward into the next 100 years. “You have to believe in the Romance of it because you are … Read more
Newton Court Cider began as a 30-acre farm selling apples to Bulmers. When the market changed, Paul Stephens turned those same orchards into a modern day cider business. His early inspiration came from Brian Shanks, the co-founder of Bold Rock Cider in Virginia. Though Bold Rock produces cider on a large, industrial scale, it was … Read more
Cider Maker and Founder Lee Van DeWater of Pierrepont Cider shares his how he is foraging apples to share a taste of terroir from New York’s North Country. Foraging Apples for Cider – Sustainable? Lee’s cider journey started with childhood memories of sweet cider and apple trees planted by his great-grandfather. But it wasn’t until … Read more
How Canton Apples and Frosty Twig Fused Two Brands into One In New York’s “North of Upstate” region, in the town of Canton is the Canton Apples production building. It is now also home of a partnership shaping the local cider scene. Owner Joel Howie and cider maker Dan Gallagher live just a mile apart, … Read more
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