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
