Crossing the Streams: From Winemaking to Cider

In an era of expression and experimentation in the alcohol world, the modern winemaker often discovers that having hands in multiple pots can be both profitable and enjoyable. This has led to a recent trend of winemakers who also produce hard cider—for most cider regions, the production license is one and the same. Some take a straightforward approach, while others attempt to blend the two arts together in a distinctive cider fusion. All around North America, winemakers are turning to cider. Here are a handful that already have.

Art + Science Winery || Sheridan, OR

A joint venture with its Roshambo ArtFarm, Art + Science Winery is a four-year-old boutique producer in Sheridan. Hitting the scene with small batch productions of Syrah and Pinot Noir, husband and wife team Dan Rinke and Kim Hamblin have upped their game by planting 430 apple tress (with 48 varietals) and 160 pear trees to someday produce more than one thousand gallons of cider and perry annually. || roshamboartfarm.com

Bowers Harbor Vineyards || Traverse City, MI

Mother and son duo Linda and Spencer Stegenga planted their first grapes in 1991, quickly learning the Old Mission Peninsula AVA next to Lake Michigan held numerous possibilities. First offering cider in 2009, Bowers Harbor now makes five distinct ciders in its Spirit line, in addition to the more than 30 wine options. || bowersharbor.com

Cider Brothers || Lodi, CA

In the past few years, the Scotto family of Scotto Cellars has put this Zinfandel-rich region on the map for its cider. Often making wine-infused scrumpy, Cider Brothers utilizes much of the same knowledge from five generations of winemaking. Co-owner and cidermaker Paul Scotto ventures into the genre with interesting fusions, like cider with Pinot Grigio. || ciderbrothers.com

Hoity Toity Cellars || Mildmay, Ontario

The focus at this northeastern Ontario winery is on cold climate grapes, apples and pears since first planting in 2007. Known as the oldest winery and cidery in Bruce County, owner, winemaker and cidermaker Gary Fischer has made Hoity Toity an Ontario favorite for their wide selection of red and white wine, award-winning cider, annual holiday celebrations and the occasional sheep roaming through their vineyards. || hoitytoitycellars.ca

Leonard Oakes Estate Winery || Medina, NY

This centenarian family farming operation first delved into the wine scene in 2003, and has since become a destination stop along the Niagara Wine Trail. Views from their tasting room patio take in acres of established apple orchards, which they use to produce their Steampunk Cider. || oakeswinery.com

This article originally ran in the Vol. 4 print edition of Cidercraft Magazine. For the full story and more like it, click here