Five Generations of Integrity with Bauman’s Cider Company

by | Nov 18, 2016

Looking down rows of orchards with picturesque Mt. Hood in the backdrop, Christine Walter of Bauman’s Century Farm Cider carefully explains the 38 varieties of apples on the 700 acres of Bauman land.

“We have lots of cool heritage and specialty apples,” she says of her family farm that has seen five generations tend to the land. “Some of my favorites are the Corail or Pinova apple, which is a German cultivar; the Braeburn, out of New Zealand and the Melrose, an American cultivar and the state apple of Ohio.”

The Bauman clan moved west in 1895 to Gervais, Oregon, all the way from Minnesota and planted literal roots in the Willamette Valley. Back in the early 1900s, Walter’s great-grandfather created cider of his own before Prohibition hit, but, as it did across the country, the effects of the embargo sadly caused the fermentation to end.

With these storied varieties grown on her property, Walter, who also has a degree in biochemistry, started her own cider company from the estate Bauman’s Farm & Gardens in early January by following in her ancestors’ footsteps and using the fruitful family land. Today, Bauman’s Century Farm Cider produces three signature ciders and few seasonal blends with Walter at the cidermaking helm.

Keeping vintage cidermaking techniques in mind, she says she honors her ancestors with two ciders in each of their names. Her great-grandfather, Stephen, has the Stephen’s Subtly Sweet cider and her grandfather, Clyde, has the Clyde’s Dry, which is a tribute to his 92-years living on Bauman Farms. The last signature cider is the Obsidian, made with a blend of handpicked blackberries, traditional cider and a drizzle of honey from bees onsite.

As part of the annual Bauman’s Harvest Festival, a regional cider tasting affair was also hosted, providing both guests and Walter with perspective on the local scene. “Everyone was totally different, so special and so intriguing, not trying to fit in this box,” she says of her Oregon cider colleagues at the tasting. “Here in Oregon, and in the Northwest in general, we can do anything we want. We’re pioneers out here in an industry that’s so ready to be built and grown. So it’s a special time to not have to feel like you’re playing by the rules because we’re making the rules.”

Looking forward, Walter is hopeful of what the Bauman Cider name may become. Within less than a year of production, the ciders are on tap in over 40 restaurants in the Portland Metro and Salem, Oregon, areas. They will begin bottling cider by the end of this year, allowing for expansion into neighboring states. Walter says her biggest hope is to keep the family integrity intact while also pushing herself to a greater success.

what’s new

Week of Events

Featured

2025 NW Cider Symposium

Follow US

get the latest

SIGN UP FOR THE CIDERCRAFT NEWSLETTER.

By subscribing online, you are opting in to receive our CIDERCRAFT Insider e-newsletter— with the latest coverage in the cider beverage scene, product reviews, libation destinations, events + more.

Pin It on Pinterest

CIDERCRAFT
Hard cider made some waves this past winter! 🍎✨

From the success of @ciderconference in Chicago to exciting market growth, regional cider heritage, and even smoked cider innovations, the craft cider scene is buzzing. 

Want to know more about these juicy headlines? Check out Cidercraft’s top picks for cider stories this season, now live on our site. Don’t miss this roundup of trends, industry highlights, and new milestones! 

📖 Read the full article at cidercraftmag.com

#CraftCider #CiderCon #HardCider #CiderLovers #DrinkCider
@carlsonshardcider just unveiled a stunning new look for 2025, and we’re here for it. 🙌

Not only is their design getting a glow-up, but they’re also launching exciting new flavors like Cherry, Oak Barrel Blend, Bare Hill Blush, and Peach Cobbler. 🍒🍑

Get the full scoop on their rebranding and taste innovation over on Cidercraft Magazine.

🍏 Read the full article now by heading to the link in our bio.

#CarlsonOrchards #HardCider #Cider
Now Accepting Entries for the 8th Annual Cidercraft Awards!

The Cidercraft Awards return for their eighth year, celebrating the best in cider! The top four winning ciders from each category will receive Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, and Silver medals, creating the ultimate resource for cider lovers and industry professionals.

Tag a cider producer who shouldn't miss this opportunity!

Deadline to submit and receive product is Friday, April 25
Competition will be held on May 13 – 14, 2025
Results will be released on June 12, 2025

Submit Your Cider Now at Cidercraftmag.com
@schillingcider isn’t just changing the way we drink cider—they’re changing the game for sustainability, too.

From fun, flavor-packed ciders like Apple Pie and Mixed Berry to their bold leap in creating climate-neutral 6-packs, Schilling is proving that great taste and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

With a fleet of electric vehicles, recyclable cans, and partnerships to neutralize their impact, this Auburn-based cidery is setting a standard the entire industry should aspire to.

Want the full story behind how Schilling is raising the bar for cider and the planet? Head to Cidercraftmag.com now.

#SchillingCider #ClimateNeutral #CraftCider

Story by Neil Ferguson
Images courtesy @schillingcider
New Release from @starcutciders Toucana is here—crafted with real guava juice for a kick of Caribbean flavor, balanced with crisp apple and a semi-dry finish. Naturally gluten-free, with no added sugar—just real fruit and real flavor. 🍏✨

Now pouring at the Pub and Pull Barn—and hitting shelves soon in Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan!
undefined
Hard cider made some waves this past winter! 🍎✨

From the success of @ciderconference in Chicago to exciting market growth, regional cider heritage, and even smoked cider innovations, the craft cider scene is buzzing. 

Want to know more about these juicy headlines? Check out Cidercraft’s top picks for cider stories this season, now live on our site. Don’t miss this roundup of trends, industry highlights, and new milestones! 

📖 Read the full article at cidercraftmag.com

#CraftCider #CiderCon #HardCider #CiderLovers #DrinkCider
undefined
Share This
Complete your gift to make an impact
Donate