Grower Series: Sinking Creek Valley 2024

Site
Sandy loam overtop decomposing limestone soils.
60% - Jack Bostic’s home orchard - Sinking Creek, Craig County, Virginia 2500’ elevation
A magical yard orchard of over 50 different varietals of apples and pears planted in the early 1990s. Unsprayed and cared for daily by the one and only Jack Bostic.
40% - Second Star Farm - Sinking Creek, Craig County, Virginia 2600’ elevation
A ten year old MM111 home orchard planted by one of the godfathers of modern organic farming Bill Wolf. 

Fruit
33% - Harrison, 22% - Golden Russet, 13% Arkansas Black, 11% Dolgo Crab, 9% Roxbury Russet, 7% John Downing Crab, 5% William’s Pride

Vinification
Early crabs were harvested on the 5th of August, briefly sweated for a few days before being ground into a plastic tote for a 4 day cold soak. Fruit was then pressed to a plastic tank for an uninoculated, native fermentation. Later in early October dry harvest conditions sped up ripening of russets, allowing us to pick the remainder of fruit. All varieties were pressed together, directly to a neutral 500L French oak puncheon. Once this cider was on the tail end of its primary fermentation, dry crab cider was used to top of the puncheon. The cider sat undisturbed until early July of 2025, where it was racked off its gross and fine lees and bottle traditional method sparkling. Bottles were rested for five months and left undisgorged upon their release. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
This cider is special in many ways, but most importantly it is an amalgamation of relationships with many wonderful people. Through a shared patronship of The Nature Conservancy and passion for old apples trees, Tracy Frist invited us to explore her beloved Sinking Creek Valley in hopes of creating a cider from its orchards. This kind effort led to an introduction to one of our most beloved apple elders, Jack Bostic. His home orchard and gardens are what edenistic dreams are made of. His love and care for the place shows as he works his home paradise from sun up to sun down every day, exuding joy. Our world came full circle as we got the chance to work with Bonnie and Bill of Second Star farm, a magical home orchard brimming with calculated, intelligent, organic care. What took several years to come to fruition proves to be a delightful and rich cider, full of fragrant red fruit, pilsner hop aromas, oats, honey, and a subacid quenching body that lingers pleasantly.

325 bottles produced, 8.33% Alc. by Volume, 750ml