Cider, unabridged
My column this week talks about local cider and why the hell there isn't more of it. I just want to give a little more information about some of our local cider makers. All of these places could easily be part of a lovely Saturday drive or weekend getaway.
Thanks to Ron Irvine for painting a lot of the picture for me. Irvine was the O.G. of Pike & Western Wine Shop and was head of the Northwest Cider Society for many years. Now he owns Vashon Winery. When he has cider available, you can by it there or a few select merchants around town. (hint: It's worth searching out.) Or keep looking here because I'll be bugging him about it.
I also talked to Rich Anderson of Westcott Bay Cider from the bay of the same name on San Juan Island—a stunningly serene place to visit. It is 15 minutes NW of Friday Harbor. I apologize for the goof in the article where I place it in Friday Harbor. Does it help that I was planning a trip to there at the time? If you're used to seeing the Westcott Bay Cider in a 22 oz. dark beer bottle, know that it's now changed to 750mL format and expanded into three flavors. They still make their English-style extra dry cider that I enjoy so much, but the new bottle may have some retailers relocating it nearer the wines and farther from the beers.
I didn't have room to include Red Barn Cider of Mt. Vernon. I haven't had many of their ciders. Word is they are expanding production, and I'm interested to see what happens. They are open for tastings; please contact them for hours.
2 comment(s)
Cam says:
I was surprised you didn\'t mention the cider from Rockridge Orchards, available at various farmers markets including the one in the University District.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 10 2007 @ 10:42AM
maggie d says:
Cam, I haven\'t seen that one. I must attend the various other markets. Thanks for mentioning, I\'ll look out for it. And they have a website, too:
http://www.rickridgeorchards.com
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 10 2007 @ 11:51AM