This series focuses on expression of single orchard ciders.

Fruit
Parmar, Faux Taliaferro, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Horse, Pitmaston Pineapple, Black Limbertwig, Kinnaird’s Choice, Cannon Pearmain, White Winter Pearmain, Albemarle Pippin, Roxbury Russet, Harrison

Orchard Site 
Foggy Ridge Cider Orchard - Dugspur, Virginia, 2720’. Diane Flynt’s Foggy Ridge is the crown jewel of cider orchards in Virginia. Initially planted in the late 90s, Diane’s goal of planting trees exclusively for the use of making cider was a rarity. The site offers a variety of sloping exposures at high elevations. Her careful, well-studied selection of varietals shows as the orchards yield balanced and enticing field blends of structured and flavor-driven cider.

Vinification
This expansive orchard blend is composed of three different harvests taking place in early August, late August, and late October. Following a brief maceration, first two picks were pressed together in earl September, directly to a neutral 500L French oak puncheon. The final harvest was pressed in early November, directly to neutral French oak barrels. After uninoculated, native primary fermentations the ciders sat undisturbed for ten and eight months. The cider was racked off its gross/fine lees in early June of 2022, bottled sparkling via traditional method undisgorged, and rested for an additional six months in bottle before releasing. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of the cider.

Notes
One of the unique joys of working with Diane is how each year the fruit will vary, presenting a new and dynamic blend. There are several reasons that contribute to this (high-elevation Spring weather’s effect on bloom, older varietals with biannual tendencies) but the one that stands out regardless of bloom or varietal is Diane’s careful and calculated harvesting efforts. Rarely is any fruit actually picked off the tree. Rather, Diane and her team make several passes collecting what has fallen and what drops from light shaking of the tree. This effort ensures that the fruit is harvested at its utmost ripeness, evenly across the board. As well, bins are comprised many different varietals rather than one single type and that blend can vary week to week. This commitment to truly ripe fruit is a rarity in Virginia’s commercial orchards. This year’s blend gains acid and energy from early varietals and depth and structure from later apples. One of the most noticeable characteristics is a pronounced mid palate, swinging upwards. This cider should continue to evolve well in bottle.  

99 Cases Produced, Alc. 8.0% by Volume, 500ml

*Available for shipments in Virginia, Washington DC, New York, California OR pick-up at Oakley Farm. Shipments may be delayed based on temperatures.