No one could have predicted the explosion in hard cider production and cideries in New York State over the last few years! That is except for a few visionaries that took a gamble with a dollar and a dream. In 2013, an inspired young man from Columbia County had a dream to support New York agriculture by crafting quality hard ciders using apples grown in Hudson Valley orchards -- those that he explored, harvested and enjoyed throughout his childhood. Choosing an unassuming, gritty industrial warehouse near the Hudson River in Albany (and just under the shadow of a 32-ft. high towering rose that his artist father had painted 20 years earlier on the neighboring building’s brick wall) Alejandro del Peral established Nine Pin Ciderworks -- New York’s FIRST Farm Cidery in Albany’s revitalizing Warehouse District, just north of Downtown. A licensed "farm cidery" must manufacture more than 50 gallons and less than 250k gallons of hard cider or less per year, can do tastings within the state and must exclusively sell hard cider produced from New York State-sourced apples wholesale. Today, there are over 40 in the state and the New York Cider Association holds "cider weeks" across the state. If you're looking to tap into Alejandro's sensory memories of crisp apples and cool autumn days, you'll not only want to go apple picking in the Hudson Valley, New York State's #1 agritourism activity, but also take a tour of his 17,000 sq. ft. facility in Albany where Nine Pin Ciderworks crafts all of its hard ciders. His cidery tasting room offers experimental ciders and beer and cocktails made with New York farm-based beers and spirits, as well as gourmet light fare in a relaxed atmosphere. Nine Pin Ciderworks also offers an interesting array of events and activities. At any
No one could have predicted the explosion in hard cider production and cideries in New York State over the last few years! That is except for a few visionaries that took a gamble with a dollar and a dream. In 2013, an inspired young man from Columbia County had a dream to support New York agriculture by crafting quality hard ciders using apples grown in Hudson Valley orchards — those that he explored, harvested and
Dear EscapeMakers -- Who doesn’t love fall - the crisp air, warm cider donuts, cozy sweaters, and leaves crunching beneath your boots? Fall is best enjoyed in Ithaca, the heart of the Finger Lakes: hundreds of gorges, scenic views, winding trails, hidden spots and moments to take your breath away. An enjoyable scenic 4-hour ride from NYC, Ithaca is most well-known for Cornell University, being named America’s Best Wine Region (for the second year in a row), and its fall foliage. Whether you are alumni returning after a few years, families looking for an engaging experience, couples exploring a new city, or someone looking for a joyful getaway, Ithaca has a community for you. Ithaca’s waterfalls and gorges are the must-see attraction in the region. Taughannock Falls is the tallest, single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and in the entire state of New York. Yes, it’s even taller than Niagara Falls! However, Taughannock isn’t the only impressive waterfall, visit Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, or one of the 150 in the region. Between the lake, gorges and streams, there's plenty of outdoor recreation on the water. Witness the history of glacial migration and appreciate the presence of trickling water by hiking the trails along the gorges. Ranging from a flat casual stroll to an exercise-forward hike, there are varying levels of hikes available. In between outdoor excursions visit one of the many farm-based culinary or craft beverage producers. Meet goats and taste their cheese, eat a hyper-local lunch while sipping a flight of cider, pick your own produce and play amongst the nature. Camp outdoors by a cozy fire or stay at one of their nature-based accommodations. Ithaca’s farm-to-fork scene is always available and constantly growing. Just one month away, Finger Lakes Cider Week is 12 days of agriculinary filled
Dear EscapeMakers — Who doesn’t love fall – the crisp air, warm cider donuts, cozy sweaters, and leaves crunching beneath your boots? Fall is best enjoyed in Ithaca, the heart of the Finger Lakes: hundreds of gorges, scenic views, winding trails, hidden spots and moments to take your breath away. An enjoyable scenic 4-hour ride from NYC, Ithaca is most well-known for Cornell University, being named America’s Best Wine Region (for the second year in
Dear EscapeMakers -- Stroll through orchards rich with glistening fruit, gaze at the hills blanketed with autumnal-colored trees, and sip a golden, effervescent glass of goodness - Ithaca is the epicenterof craft beverages and culinary explorations! Plan that leaf-peeping, fall getaway around Finger Lakes Cider Week (September 27-October 6). Located at the base of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is home to Cornell University, over 150 waterfalls, a booming craft cider scene, and jaw-dropping scenic views. With the highest density of craft cideries in NY state (10 within a 30-minute radius),it's no surprise that cider lovers flock to Ithaca for a taste! TAKE THE SPECIAL "CIDER BUS" FROM NYC! Checkout the unique and rustic lodging options at one of the many Farm Stays and B&Bs FLX Cider Week kicks off with the three day annual Apple Harvest Festival. Cider makers, pie bakers, and apple-themed vendors line the streets of downtown Ithaca offering the famous cider donuts, delectable craft ciders and limitless apple-themed delicacies. Browse the craft fair or venture into the brick-and-mortar artisan shops; stop by the farm fair to meet animals or attend a farmer talk; participate in the Monks & Makers event to meet the cider makers and taste quality cider or sign up for Coltivare's farm-to-table cider pairing dinners or an educational event in their teaching kitchen. Cider Sunday at Cornell University is an all-ages event that offers orchard talks and fresh pressed and hard cider tastings with food pairings. What ties this Ivy League college to a regional cider event? Cornell's Horticulture, Pomology (study of fruit) and Hard Cider Project Work Team have had a huge impact on NY and national cider research and production. Renowned cider makers, Eric Shatt of Redbyrd Orchard Cider and Dr. Ian Merwin of Black Diamond Farm and Cider, come from Cornell and
Dear EscapeMakers — Stroll through orchards rich with glistening fruit, gaze at the hills blanketed with autumnal-colored trees, and sip a golden, effervescent glass of goodness – Ithaca is the epicenterof craft beverages and culinary explorations! Plan that leaf-peeping, fall getaway around Finger Lakes Cider Week (September 27-October 6). Located at the base of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is home to Cornell University, over 150 waterfalls, a booming craft cider scene, and jaw-dropping scenic views. With
Fall may be known for apple picking, but there's nothing like a warm cider donut and cold pint of hard cider in the dead of winter! All of these cider-makers (and so many more) have fabulous farms and cozy tasting rooms that you can visit for a day trip or weekend getaway all year long. Check out a few of our favorite New York Ciders that you can visit in person below. Brooklyn Cider House (New Paltz, NY): At Twin Star Orchards in New Paltz, NY, they have free cider tastings, delicious wood-fired pizza and burgers, and they sell fresh baked goods and seasonal produce from their garden. They also have a great selection of New York cider, wine, and spirits and pick-your-own “ugly apples” in the fall. Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider (Rhinebeck & New Paltz, NY): They produce a line of exceptional farm-based ciders with style and character. Drawing on classic European cider making techniques, these highly drinkable ciders have a robust new world flavor profile. The cidery is based at two beloved Hudson Valley farms, Breezy Hill Orchard near Rhinebeck and Stone Ridge Orchard near New Paltz. The farms are known for their commitment to ecological growing and the production of highly flavored fruit. The orchards produce over 100 varieties of apples and have just planted a dedicated hard cider orchard with a number of traditional cider apples including Dabinett, Bedan, Binet Rouge, Kingston Black, Chisel Jersey, Ashmeads Kernel, and others. Doc's Draft Hard Cider (Warwick, NY): The apples in their handcrafted cider come straigt from their orchard in the foothills of the Hudson Valley. They grow more than 60 different apple varieties in the orchard, each selected for maximum flavor and unique taste. Visit the pick-your-own farm in the fall and experience what it truly means
Fall may be known for apple picking, but there’s nothing like a warm cider donut and cold pint of hard cider in the dead of winter! All of these cider-makers (and so many more) have fabulous farms and cozy tasting rooms that you can visit for a day trip or weekend getaway all year long. Check out a few of our favorite New York Ciders that you can visit in person below. Brooklyn Cider
APPLE SPOTLIGHT: The EMPIRE APPLE! Dear EscapeMakers -- We're smack dab in the middle of the tastiest week all Fall! Find out about events all around the city during Cider Week NYC - November 2-11, 2018! Fall foliage is at its peak in the city but it's not too late to head north through New York State to pick remaining apples off the trees, or buy apples from farm stores, or visit a cidery or craft beverage trail. Visit Apples from New York for more locations, recipes and variety info and here are some great ideas for cider trail getaways!
APPLE SPOTLIGHT: The EMPIRE APPLE! Dear EscapeMakers — We’re smack dab in the middle of the tastiest week all Fall! Find out about events all around the city during Cider Week NYC – November 2-11, 2018! Fall foliage is at its peak in the city but it’s not too late to head north through New York State to pick remaining apples off the trees, or buy apples from farm stores, or visit a cidery
Dear EscapeMakers -- The fall is all about apples in New York State! What better way to pay tribute to these sweet, juicy jewels than to talk about their delicious characteristics, the endless potential for ways to eat them, and, of course, where you can pick them. Presented in partnership with the New York Apple Association, check out the first in our series of “Apple Spotlights!” Apple variety: "Gala" - A great choice for snacking, Gala is a variety developed in New Zealand. It’s got the mild flavor that “picky eaters” prefer, plus a striking bright yellow-red color that also makes it visually appealing. Officially the second most popular variety in the US now (after Red Delicious). More... APPLE PICKING TOURS Wanna get out of town this Fall EscapeMaker will transport you to the Hudson's Valley's Dutchess County for a Farm Fresh Tour: apple and pumpkin picking, cheese tasting, corn maze explorations and visits with farm animals! The day trip is only 2 hours from NYC! Depending on date, stops include Beacon & Rhinebeck, Fishkill Farms, Meadowbrook Farm, Sprout Creek Farm, Greig Farm, Rose Hill Farms, Mead Orchards & Kesicke Farm. Take Metro-North Railroad from Grand Central Terminal to Beacon OR take a direct bus from Bryant Park! Select weekends NOW through October 28! RESERVE HERE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE APPLE & CIDER RELATED NYC EVENTS! Big Apple Crunch - October 25, 2018 Cider Week NYC - November 2-11, 2018
Dear EscapeMakers — The fall is all about apples in New York State! What better way to pay tribute to these sweet, juicy jewels than to talk about their delicious characteristics, the endless potential for ways to eat them, and, of course, where you can pick them. Presented in partnership with the New York Apple Association, check out the first in our series of “Apple Spotlights!” Apple variety: “Gala” – A great choice for
Dear EscapeMakers, Make your New Year's resolution to explore some craft beverage trails! And if you enjoy hard cider, New York State is the epicenter! Book a cozy weekend in the Hudson Valley, the Catskills or the Finger Lakes or even beyond! And be sure to check out the New York Apple Association's statewide map of cider locations! Click here for a few local winter travel ideas!
Dear EscapeMakers, Make your New Year’s resolution to explore some craft beverage trails! And if you enjoy hard cider, New York State is the epicenter! Book a cozy weekend in the Hudson Valley, the Catskills or the Finger Lakes or even beyond! And be sure to check out the New York Apple Association’s statewide map of cider locations! Click here for a few local winter travel ideas!
Dear EscapeMakers -- Step away from "busy" and fall into relaxation, served up with fresh food and the craft brew scene this season in Central New York. There is so much to do, see and experience in Central New York and fall is a great time to take advantage of it all! Always a classic family trip, Central New York offers dozens of patches where you'll find gorgeous gourds and other goods. You might also get the full farm experience, complete with tractor pulls and petting zoos. CNYFresh packs 562 farms, agri-businesses and attractions into one place. Visit some of the region's best U-picks, locavore restaurants, family spots and sweet treats. With Halloween just around the corner, ghosts and goblins aren't the only spirits you should be thinking about. Central New York complements its endless craft brew offerings with homegrown, handcrafted beverages of another variety. Savor a sip from some of New York's finest cideries, distilleries and wineries in Brew Central, America's Craft Brew Destination. A great place to visit during the fall is 1911 Spirits at Beak & Skiff Orchards. The 100-year legacy of cultivating the apples there ensures that the hard cider and spirit production go from "tree to bottle," so it's always fresh and delicious. It is one of only a few in the country distilling gin and vodka from apples! Make time this season to clear your schedule and make a much-needed escape to Central New York... FOLLOW CENTRAL NEW YORK ON: GET THERE BY AMTRAK AND SAVE 15%
Dear EscapeMakers — Step away from “busy” and fall into relaxation, served up with fresh food and the craft brew scene this season in Central New York. There is so much to do, see and experience in Central New York and fall is a great time to take advantage of it all! Always a classic family trip, Central New York offers dozens of patches where you’ll find gorgeous gourds and other goods. You might also get
Dear EscapeMakers -- Mmmmmm! Apple season is upon us and New York State apple farmers have been busy growing the best tasting apples. In fact, did you know New York is the 2nd largest apple-producing state in the U.S.? That's a lot of flavor right there! It's almost time to pick, drink, crunch and bake as many apples as you can get your hands on! What's your favorite apple? Download a variety guide, nutrition info and recipes below! And of course, you can always visit farmers markets in New York State and at Greenmarkets across NYC to stock up on your favorite variety of apples! Also, September 7th, make sure you attend our Farms & Foliage Showcase at Fulton Stall Market at the South Street Seaport and our Applepalooza on September 15th at the Union Square Greenmarket - both FREE tasting showcases sponsored by New York Apple Association! Get info on local vacations and pick-your-own orchards in New York State! From the Greater Niagara Region to the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley to Long Island, apple picking and apple festivals make a great family day trip or romantic weekend getaway!
Dear EscapeMakers — Mmmmmm! Apple season is upon us and New York State apple farmers have been busy growing the best tasting apples. In fact, did you know New York is the 2nd largest apple-producing state in the U.S.? That’s a lot of flavor right there! It’s almost time to pick, drink, crunch and bake as many apples as you can get your hands on! What’s your favorite apple? Download a variety guide, nutrition info
