Farm Cider, Field Cuvée

Site

Oakley Farm - Warm Springs, Bath County Virginia 2400’ elevation 
High-density orchard on G11 rootstock planted in 2019 located in the ‘hay field’
site of the farm’s original 19th century orchard planted by the Francisco family
Soil composition: Hayter loam on top of Ordovician limestone.
Practicing regenerative organic farming. Bio-intensive rotation of poultry and sheep, rotational cover crops within drip lines. No use of heavy metal sprays, no cultivation. Biannual biological mowing only.

Fruit

2022 - 22% Geneva Crab + Dolgo

2024 - 45% farm seedlings, 22% Solarina

2025 - 7% Golden Hornet, 4% Golden Russet

Vinification

In 2023 a demijohn of the previous year’s Geneva and Dolgo Crab cider was held back, exploring the aging potential of this macerated, rosé cider. In 2024, varying seedling trees on the farm were harvested over the course of several months, some seeing brief maceration before being pressed to several glass demijohns. Upon completing an uninoculated, native primary fermentation, the individual demijohns were blended into a single barrel. This barrel sat undisturbed for a year until the following year’s harvest. Once actively fermenting, the juice of juice of Golden Hornet and Golden Russet was added to the 2022/2024 base cider as a calculated liqueur de tirage, allowing the cider to ferment in bottle, providing its natural carbonation. This method sits somewhere between traditional and petulant natural methods. In early spring 2026, bottles were hand disgorged without a dosage before their release. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes

One thing that has become clear to us in our six years of farming is the lack of consistency and abundance of volatility year to year. With climate change making its indisputable impact on our spring weather patterns, we are learning to stretch our riches in good years and be creative in tough ones. This year’s Field Cuvée not only marries three vintages but also brings together our farm’s cultivated and feral trees. There is a lovely peachy and precise aroma that stems from the macerated
crabs of ’22. Orange grit and density provides tannins that attack but are buoyed by fruit. This cider’s magic lies in its nuances, where a battles of dry and sweet, tension and softness play out. Mineral tones keep the cider focused and a healthy mousse of bubbles allows the cider to be more giving.

348 bottles produced, 7.81% alcohol by volume, 750ml