A Few of the Loacl Apples We Use in Our Ciders
Rooted in History, Crafted in Southwest Michigan
We are truly blessed in our little corner of Southwest Michigan. Not only is the region gorgeous—with our cidery sitting just a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan—but Michigan itself is the second most biodiverse state in the country (right behind California). Even better? Berrien County is the single most biodiverse county in the state.
For decades, Benton Harbor was home to the largest open-air fruit and produce market in the world. While it operates in a slimmed-down form today, that market still thrives just a few miles down the road from us.
A Legacy of Heritage Apples
Back in 1976, Herb Teichman—one of the area’s visionary orchardists—planted 276 different varieties of heirloom apples to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. Although his legendary orchard, Tree-Mendus Fruit, is no longer open, many of those heritage trees still stand. Today, we’re proud to source many of the oddly named apples we use in our ciders—like Sheep’s Snout and Knobbed Russet—directly from Herb’s family.
When we say you’re tasting apples you’ve probably never heard of (much less tasted), we mean it.
A Taste of the Uncommon
In addition to the varieties above, here’s a peek at just a few of the unique apples we’ve pressed and fermented into your ciders over the past few years:
The Heirlooms & Rarities: Hoople’s Antique Gold (pictured!), Black Twig, Blenheim Orange, Adams Pearmain, Calville Blanc, Foxwhelp, Orange Pippin, Wickson Crab, King David, Lubsk Queen, Médaille d’Or, Nehou, Grannywinkle, Pitmaston Pineapple, Esopus Spitzenburg, Arkansas Black, Roxbury Russet, Ashmead’s Kernel, Kingston Black, Harrison, Hewe’s Virginia Crab...
The Classics & Fan Favorites: Empire, Gala, Ginger Gold, Rome, Winesap, Baldwin, Cameo, GoldRush, Wealthy, Wolf River...
...plus dozens of common varieties you know and love, along with a few others we’ve probably forgotten!
Every time you sip one of our ciders, you are enjoying an experience unique to Southwest Michigan, supporting local growers, and helping preserve piece of American apple history that might otherwise be lost.
Cheers, and thank you for growing with us!
