FORAGED Cider 2022

Site 
44% - Victor Gaines Home Orchard - Bolar, Highland County Virginia 2200’
-Located on a slightly elevated plateau within the Jackson River Valley. Unsprayed.
34% - Valley’s End - Falling Spring, Alleghany County Virginia 3000’
-High valley saddle sloping above the source of Falling Spring waterfall. Unsprayed.
22% - Chimney Run - Warm Springs, Bath County Virginia 2800’
-Southwest facing, sloping bowl offering unique frost resistance. Unsprayed. 

Fruit
Victor Gaines - Blend of heirloom apple and pear trees planted in the second half of 20th century.
Valley’s End - Unidentified early 20th century heirloom varieties.
Chimney Run - Predominately wild seedlings taking root along and in the creek bed.

Vinification
Fruit from all three sites were harvested through out the season and contributed to individual, continuous fermentations separately. All primary fermentations were uninoculated, native yeast and varying levels of native malolactic secondary fermentation occurred during the cooler winter months. The individual barrels sat undisturbed until late June of 2023, when portions of each site were blended into a 500L neutral French oak puncheon to integrate and age for an additional seven months. In early February 2024, the cider was racked off its fine lees, reserving a portion for additional barreling aging and a portion to be bottled sparkling traditional method. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
With some much of our energy put into growing fruit within our two orchards, it is easy to sometimes forget the charm and power of foraged fruit. When it comes to forgotten remnants of old orchards and their seedling offspring, there truly is nothing technically more expressive of its origin that their resulting ciders. Very little to no human thumbprint found, rather an ever evolving natural expression of place. Half of this year’s blend features the high elevation opposite ends of the Warm Springs Valley, most trees being wild seedlings. The other half is the aging standard tree Orchard of late Victor Gaines. The marriage produces a subtle depth to the nose, richer than previous years. There is a nice power to the pallet, hiding some fruit behind the curtains. The almost 18 month elevage contributes a sappy finish, almost briny. 

31 cases produced, 7.79% Alc. by Volume, 750ml