DICKIE BROTHERS 2022

Fruit
66% Virginia Winesap, 33% Black Twig

Site
Dickie Brother’s Orchard - Roseland Virginia, 1050’ elevation. Nestled in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge, the Bruguiere family runs one of the state’s oldest continuous orchards with family ownership dating back to the mid-1700s. 60+ year old standard size trees on nutrient poor, dense red clay soils.

Vinification
Both varietals were harvested in late October of 2022 and sweated at cellar temps for a month until a 50/50 blend of the two apples was pressed directly to a stainless steel tank. Several weeks later once a uninoculated, native primary fermentation kicked off, an additional bin of Winesap was grinded directly into the tank, encapsulating the apple solids in a protective, CO2 environment. The cider macerated on its solids for 12 days before being pressed off to selection of Black Locust and French oak neutral barrels. Primary continued through most of winter and once completed, the cider sat undisturbed for a total of 14 months before being racked off its lees and bottled sparkling traditional method. Undisgorged, bottles were rested for an additional 15 months before release. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
We have made a single orchard Dickie Brothers cider ever since our inaugural vintage in 2018. Each year we have tweaked our approach to accommodate for what has always amounted to a moody and at times, challenging fermentation. Low nutrient and yeast counts do not support a healthy start to the fermentation so over the years we have introduced different levels of maceration to help nurture the fermentation along. Early on oxidation of unfermented apple solids led to more volatility than we preferred. In 2021 we adjusted to introducing the solids to a fermenting cider and keeping the cap submerged. The result was promising and ultimately led to a more precise effort in 2022. What might amount to our last vintage of this single orchard cider certainly goes out in style. The aromatics are the most powerful of this spring release’s line up. There is a distinct aromatic that can only be described as the paper wrapper of a crayon. Spices and baked apples hold together a balanced sense of acidity. 

290 Bottles Produced, Alc. 7.75% by Volume, 750ml