News: 10 Northwest Cider Association cideries selected to visit England & France on behalf of the Washington Department of Agriculture

SEATTLE (December 19, 2016) – Ten cidermakers from the Northwest Cider Association were selected to travel to England and France for an educational mission in spring 2017. Supported by a specialty crop grant from the Washington Department of Agriculture, to increase the competitiveness of ciders made in the northwest, these skilled cidermakers will dive deep into one complicated technique called keeving.

Ten members of the Northwest Cider Association were selected:

Seattle Cider Company

Steelhead Cider

Tieton Cider Works

Pear Up

Liberty Ciderworks

Finnriver Farm & Cidery

Cider Riot!

Bauman’s Cider

2 Towns Ciderhouse

Bull Run Cider

The group will spend 12 days in May visiting fellow cidermakers in Normandy, Brittany, and western England, learning about traditional apple varieties, and discovering new techniques to make natural cider.

“We’re very fortunate that WSDA believes in our growing cider industry and supports this trip so we can increase the variety of cider styles made here” said NWCA executive director Emily Ritchie.

Keeved cider is a traditional French and sometimes English method of making cider that results in a naturally sweet and sparkling cider. The process takes a while (often months) as many of the nutrients and yeast are removed from the apple juice as the pectin layer rises to the top of the tank. The process is long and slow, at low temperatures, and finishes with a natural sweetness and self carbonates.

Cidermakers selected for this educational trip are required to pay approximately half the cost of their travel. They have also committed to sharing their knowledge widely around the northwest upon their return, teaching colleagues throughout the region. As part of the project, the NWCA will also invite keeving experts from Europe to visit Washington state to teach keeving in the fall of 2017.

About the NWCA

Formed in 2010, the Northwest Cider Association brings cideries and cider lovers together to share knowledge, experience and live the Northwest cider culture. We are a trade organization formed by cider producers throughout the Pacific Northwest to promote awareness of regional artisanal ciders. We sponsor classes and workshops, and develop cider-themed events, including Cider Rite of Spring (3/25/17 in Portland), BC Cider Week in late April, Oregon Cider Week in June, and Washington Cider Week in September.