By Ria Windcaller | eCiderNews When Alan Shapiro co-founded the first Cider Summit in Seattle in 2010, he wasn’t sure anyone would show up. His small team scrambled to assemble about 40 ciders from roughly a dozen producers, navigating permits, licensing, and the countless logistics of a first-time event. Nearly 500 people walked through the … Read more
From the heart of Latvia comes one of the Baltic region’s most respected fine cider producers. In this episode, Ria Windcaller sits down with Dace and Māris Plūme, the husband-and-wife team behind Mr. Plume, whose thoughtful approach to cider has earned international recognition while remaining deeply rooted in their homeland. Hear how their story begins … Read more
An intentionally low-alcohol cider inspired by the historic ciderkin style has emerged as one of the standout winners at the 2026 Northwest Cider Cup held in Portland Oregon in late June. Heartland Ciderworks, based in Oregon, earned Gold in the Low Alcohol/Alcohol Removed category with The Little Rose, which also received the competition’s Best of … Read more
Last week, eCiderNews reported on the American Cider Association’s decision to co-locate CiderCon 2027 with the Craft Brewers Conference in San Antonio. The announcement sparked one of the most active discussions the cider industry has seen in recent years. To explore those questions, Cider Chat host Ria Windcaller sat down with ACA Board President Christine … Read more
Sometimes all it takes is one sip. It happened to the founders of Woodfolk Cider, Martha Lowry and Alistair Whitehead, and it can happen to You!. What began as a shared love of food, drink, and hospitality eventually led them to plant orchards, build a cidery, and welcome visitors to their 87-acre farm in Ontario, … Read more
A draft proposal that could reshape how cider and perry are defined across the European Union is scheduled for discussion by national representatives on June 9 in Belgium. The working document, prepared for a Wine & Spirit GREX meeting, outlines possible marketing standards and reserved terms for cider and perry products. While still under discussion, … Read more
What does it take to carry a family cider business into its next generation while staying true to craftsmanship and quality? In this episode of Cider Chat, I sit down with Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House. We discuss growing up in a family passionate about food and beverage, learning from his father and cider … Read more
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