5 Hard Ciders We Love!
Silver Fork Aloha Cider
TASTING NOTES: Handcrafted in small batches by fermenting local apples, this crisp, dry, lightly carbonated cider has aromas of tropical fruit and tastes like “Hawaii in a glass.”ABV: 6.5%
TRY IT HERE: Bumgarner Winery & Vineyards, 3550 Carson Road, Suite B, Camino, 530-303-3418; 7380 Vineyard View Drive, Fair Play, 888-946-3286, bumgarnerwinery.com
DID YOU KNOW? All of Bumgarner’s hard ciders (choose from Traditional, Dry-Hopped, Ginger, or Aloha) are packaged in sustainable, flip-top bottles; bring the bottle back for $5 off your next cider purchase.
Silver Fork Aloha Cider
South Fork Hard Apple Cider
TASTING NOTES: Made by méthode champenoise, this refreshing sparkling cider boasts a blend of Arkansas Black, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Pippin apples. After being custom-crushed by Barsotti Family Juice Company, it goes through secondary bottle fermentation at Equinox in Santa Cruz.ABV: 7.2%
TRY IT HERE: Wofford Acres Vineyards, 1900 Hidden Valley Lane, Camino, 530-626-6858, facebook.com/wofford.acresvineyards
DID YOU KNOW? Wofford Acres has a breathtaking view of one of the tributaries to the South Fork of the American River, hence their cider’s moniker and the winery’s slogan: “Come for the wine, stay for the view.”
South Fork Hard Apple Cider
Rainbow Hard Apple Cider
TASTING NOTES: This crisp, dry cider—made with Arkansas Black, Pink Lady, and Fuji apples—evokes a delicate apple perfume and is tart, floral, and full of flavor.ABV: 7.2%
TRY IT HERE: Rainbow Orchards, 2569 Larsen Drive, Camino, 530-644-1594, rainboworchards.net
DID YOU KNOW? Rainbow Orchards is a third-generation family farm that’s been providing the finest mountain-grown fruit since 1977. In addition to apples, they also grow pears, peaches, nectarines, and blueberries.
Rainbow Hard Apple Cider
Original Dry Hard Apple Cider
TASTING NOTES: Crisp and clean on the tongue, with a medium, dry fruitiness and aroma of fresh-cut apples, this award-winning cider (named “Best in Show” in the International Beverage Competition two years in a row) pairs well with spicy dishes, BBQ pork or chicken, and all types of cheese.ABV: 6.5%
TRY IT HERE: North Canyon Cider Company, 3541 North Canyon Road, Camino, 650-520-4349, northcanyoncider.com
DID YOU KNOW? North Canyon starts every batch of cider with fresh-pressed apple juice—made daily at their family-owned, solar-powered mill.
Original Dry Hard Apple Cider
Blackberry Sangria
TASTING NOTES: Hard apple cider is blended with blackberries, mangoes,
and California red wine, resulting in an easy-drinking beverage that
features tart sangria overtones and a sweet finish.
ABV: 6.5%
TRY IT HERE: Common Cider Company, 12852 Earhart Avenue, Suite 106, Auburn, 530-878-5768, commoncider.com
DID YOU KNOW? Common Cider is a woman- and minority-owned company that started in 2012 after the owner entered a home brew competition in Reno; the company’s products are now sold throughout California, Northern Nevada, and Michigan.
ABV: 6.5%
TRY IT HERE: Common Cider Company, 12852 Earhart Avenue, Suite 106, Auburn, 530-878-5768, commoncider.com
DID YOU KNOW? Common Cider is a woman- and minority-owned company that started in 2012 after the owner entered a home brew competition in Reno; the company’s products are now sold throughout California, Northern Nevada, and Michigan.
Blackberry Sangria
Compiled by Megan Wiskus