In 2012, Governor McDonnell made an important Cider Week Virginia Proclamation, making the state the first to have an officially proclaimed “Cider Week.” The first full week before Thanksgiving has been designated “Virginia Cider Week.” This year’s festivities will take place November 13 – 22.
Cider Week Spokesperson Diane Flynt says, “Cider Week Virginia is a great opportunity to showcase this fast-growing industry in our state. Similar to the wonderful wines of Virginia, fine hard cider is made from well-grown fruit, fermented carefully to create a balanced and flavorful beverage. Cider Week Virginia provides many opportunities to sample the best of Virginia’s artisanal cider, carefully crafted from Virginia apples.”
Now, in its fourth year, Cider Week has evolved over the years. In the beginning, there were only five cideries in the state. Most of the events were tastings and were centered around the Charlottesville area. The biggest difference in the cider industry now versus four years ago is the variety. Diane says, “We have a lot of different style of ciders being made now which gives consumers a lot choices and a range of prices.”
Cider Week 2015 will feature thirteen or fourteen cideries and events such as tastings, workshops, cider dinners and orchid tours take place throughout the state. Tim Edmund, co-owner of Potters Craft Cider, says, “As the number of cideries has grown, it’s been our opportunity to talk about things that matter in the industry throughout the year and also to plan this event in November. Each year, it gets better with its own momentum.”
The variety of events during Cider Week gives people many opportunities to become acquainted with cider and develop a better understanding of the craft. Tim is teaching a cider making workshop at Fifth Season Gardening, a local home brew shop in Charlottesville. Various orchids will have demonstrations on apple growing and apple tasting events. Chefs are getting more engaged with pairing food and cider. Another fun event is Roanoke’s Cider Cocktail Competition. Three local restaurants make cocktails using Foggy Ridge cider. The restaurant keeps track of how many cocktails they sell during cider week and the restaurant who sells the most, wins. Lucky Restaurant won last year for their Colonel Pippin, made with Mellow Corn, Foggy Ridge Cider Pippin Gold, Yellow Chartreuse, lemon, Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters & a twist of orange.
“As the industry continues to grow and more cideries open in the state, Virginia Cider starts to develop as its own authentic brand,” Tim concludes. In 2014, Virginia was the 6th largest apple producing state by acreage in the United States. Since 2006, the cider industry as experienced significant growth with at least ten new cideries opening and several wineries producing cider and many prospective cideries being planned. Nationwide, the sale of cider has grown an average of 73% each year over the past five years. All this bodes well for the craft cider industry in Virginia. The creators of Virginia Cider Week hope to continue to increase awareness of hard craft cider in the state, foster economic growth and tourism, and give people the opportunity to experience this historic craft and all that it has to offer.
Below is a preview of some of the events taking place November 13-22…
All Week – November 13-22
Central Virginia
Dugspur Sour Cocktail Special at Comfort
Comfort Restaurant’s Derek Salerno mixes the Dugspur Sour all week, made with Foggy Ridge Cider Pippin Gold apple port, VA bourbon, Tarragon, Egg White and bitters garnish.
200 West Broad St.
Richmond
Shenandoah Valley
3rd Annual Roanoke Cider Cocktail Competition
Roanoke’s top restaurants including Lucky, River & Rail and Local Roots create inventive cocktails using Foggy Ridge Cider. Customers enjoy drinks like the Dugsperado and Foggy Ridge Fizz. Top selling cocktail wins!
Thursday, November 12
Central Virginia
Potter’s Cider Week Kick Off at Harvest Grocery
Join Potter’s Craft Cider & JM Stock Provisions at Harvest Grocery to kick off Cider Week!
Harvest Grocery
1531 W. Main St.
Richmond
804.257.4300
Friday, November 13
Central Virginia
Potter’s Cider Dinner with Acacia, 6pm
James Beard semi-finalist and two time Elbys award winner Chef Dale Reitzer welcomes Potters Cider for a cider inspired dinner.
Acacia
2601 West Cary St.
Richmond
804.562.0138
Shenandoah Valley
Old Hill Cider Tasting at The Better Beer Store
3349 Valley Pike
Winchester
540.662.2337
Saturday, November 14
Blue Ridge Highlands
Chef Series with The Palisades Restaurant
Sample fare from this award winning restaurant and enjoy three small dishes paired wtih three ciders from Foggy Ridge Cider. $12
The Palisades Restaurant
168 Village St.
Eggleston
540.626.2828
thepalisadesrestaurant.com
Central Virginia
Richmond Cider Celebration, 11am – 4pm
Enjoy cider tastings, live music, and educational workshops.
Tickets: $20
17th Street Farmer’s Market
Richmond
www.ciderweekva.com
Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Seasonings Hard Cider Dinner, 6-8pm
Join Executive Chef and Sous Chefs at Skyland Resort for a grand evening of fine food paired with exceptional hard cider!
Skyland Resort
Shenandoah National Park, mile 41.7
Luray
877.847.1919
Sunday, November 15
Central Virginia
Hill and Holler Food Truck Takeover Cider Dinner
Sun., Nov. 15
Enjoy cider & food pairings.
Tickets: $65
Charlottesville
ciderweekva.com
Monday, November 16
Central Virginia
Potters Cider Dinner at Saison
Mon., Nov. 16
23 W. Marshall Street
Richmond
804-269-3689
saisonva.com
Northern Virginia
Cider Salon
Mon., Nov. 16, 12-2pm
A trade event for food & beverage professionals.
Old Town Alexandria
ciderweekva.com
Tuesday, November 17
Northern Virginia
Proper Cider and its Celtic Roots: A talk with Charlotte Shelton, 7pm
Charlotte Shelton of Albemarle Ciderworks will be giving a talk “Proper Cider and its Celtic Roots: From Gaul, Galicia, and Great Britain to America.” This event is sponsored by the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee and followed by cider from Albemarle Ciderworks and cheese. The event is free; suggested donation of $5.00.
The Lyceum
201 S. Washington St.
Alexandria
703.746.4994
Shenandoah Valley
Old Hill Cider Dinner at Fareways at Massanutten Resort
1822 Resort Dr.
McGaheysville
Wednesday, November 18
Central Virginia
Potter’s Tap Night at Answer Brew Pub
Wed., Nov. 18
Potter’s Craft Cider takes over some taps!
Answer Brew Pub
6008 West Broad St.
Richmond
804.282.1248
Home Cidermakers Workshop, 6pm
Tim Edmund from Potters Craft Cider & Chuck Shelton of Albemarle Ciderworks discuss the art and science of cidermaking.
Fifth Season Gardening
900 Preston Ave.
Charlottesville
434.293.2332
fifthseasongardening.com
Thursday, November 19
Central Virginia
Potters Cider & Sausage Craft Pairing at The Cask
Everyone knows sausage and cider are best buddies! Come taste for yourself!
The Cask Café
206 S. Robinson St.
Richmond
804.355.2402
Shenandoah Valley
Old Hill Cider Dinner at Local Chop & Grill House
56 W. Gay St.
Harrisonburg
540.801.0505
Friday, November 20
Saturday, November 21
Open House Weekend
Sat. & Sun., Nov. 21 & 22
ciderweekva.com
Blue Ridge Highlands
Foggy Ridge Cider Tasting, 1-3pm
Sample 3 ciders from Foggy Ridge Cider paired with cheese from Harvest Moon.
Harvest Moon Foods
227 N. Locust St.
Flyod
540.745.4366
Foggy Ridge Cider Open House
What’s “gleaning”? For centuries rural folk gathered left over crops from fields after harvest. Visit Foggy Ridge Cider to glean your own fallen fruit in a self-guided tour of two of Foggy Ridge Cider’s cider apple orchards. Return to the Cider House for Mulled Apple Juice with a dollop of Foggy Ridge Cider Pippin Gold. $7 tasting includes self-guided orchard tour, logo glass and mulled juice.
Foggy Ridge Cider
1328 Pineview Rd.
Dugspur
276.398.2337
foggyridgecider.com
Central Virginia
Mid-Atlantic Cider Smackdown
Sat., Nov. 21, 5:30-7:30pm
compare ciders from VA, MD, and NC in this blind tasting.
Tickets: $15
Albemarle Ciderworks
2545 Rural Ridge Lane
North Garden
434.297.2326
albemarleciderworks.com
Northern Virginia
Cider Tasting at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Sat., Nov. 21, 7-9pm
Sample Virginia ciders and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres.
134 N. Royal Street
Alexandria
gadsbystavern.com
Sunday, November 22
Open House Weekend
Sat. & Sun., Nov. 21 & 22
ciderweekva.com
Blue Ridge Highlands
Foggy Ridge Cider Open House
What’s “gleaning”? For centuries rural folk gathered left over crops from fields after harvest. Visit Foggy Ridge Cider to glean your own fallen fruit in a self-guided tour of two of Foggy Ridge Cider’s cider apple orchards. Return to the Cider House for Mulled Apple Juice with a dollop of Foggy Ridge Cider Pippin Gold. $7 tasting includes self-guided orchard tour, logo glass and mulled juice.
Foggy Ridge Cider
1328 Pineview Rd.
Dugspur
276.398.2337
foggyridgecider.com
Visit ciderweekva.com for a complete list of events.
