For some of the Hudson Valley’s earliest European settlers, cider production was a staple industry (and hobby) for generations. Recent years have witnessed the revival of New York’s hard cider industry, partly galvanized by events like the annual Cider Week New York, which is currently running through October 17.
In 2010, Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming kicked off the Cider Project. It began as a travel exchange between cider producers in France and the Hudson Valley, and over the next decade continued to expand opportunities for state cider production. As part of this initiative, that same year the nonprofit also launched Cider Week to connect trade professionals with farm-based cider producers while increasing public awareness and appreciation for the industry through partnerships and events. Glynwood eventually co-founded the New York Cider Association, which now runs Cider Week.
For the first year, Cider Week is a biennial happening, with the first event taking place in May, and this fall’s Cider Week running from October 2-17. Across both events, there are a total of 37 participants from across the state, including Buffalo, the Finger Lakes, and even eastern Long Island. Hudson Valley-based cidery participants include Angry Orchard in Walden, Brooklyn Cider House in New Paltz, Doc’s Cider in Warwick, and Newburgh’s Graft Cider.
Even Cider Week is feeling the lingering impacts of the pandemic. The hybrid programming includes both online and in-person, adding to the usual mix of panels, tastings, restaurant dinners, and local festivals. Several tasting rooms are offering flights and curated eats to showcase the cider throughout the event. Callicoon’s new Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery is one of them; which is serving curated cider pairings alongside their tasting room’s food menu. Angry Orchard is also joining in on the fun, hosting tastings of three exclusive ciders made with New York fruit.
On October 10, Hillsdale’s Little Apple Cidery is hosting their day-long Ciderfest event on October 10. This free event at Little Apple Farm features stunning views of the orchard, live music from acoustic rocker Garrin Benfield, tacos from Aloha Tacos food truck, small batch and bottled ciders, and the opportunity to watch a cider pressing.
Also on October 10, Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook will host Nine Pin Cider Sunday. Visitors wander through the orchards, where over 20 apple varieties will be ready for picking. Albany’s Nine Pin Cider Works will have a pop up cider bar in the middle of the orchard, perfect for quenching visitors’ thirst with a cider or two. There will also be live music and food trucks.
On October 15, Treasury Cider, made with apples from Fishkill Farms and produced entirely onsite, will celebrate the launch of its newest offering: Colony, a mead-cider hybrid. Attendees can try out the cider and dance to live music while enjoying stunning farm views from the hilltop Cider Bar.
For those who want to take ciders home, participating establishments are offering exclusive promotions. Beacon’s Artisan Wine Shop is offering 15 percent off all New York state ciders purchased in-store throughout Cider Week.
Despite the changes, Cider Week’s events still strive to highlight the superb production quality of New York orchard-based ciders by showcasing the area’s cider diversity, quality production, and bountiful food offerings. More information on Cider Week’s participants and events can be found online.
Cider Week New York runs October 2-17.
