CIDERCRAFT Magazine, CIDERCRAFT Volume 10 2017

BY SHAWNDRA RUSSELL HOT SPOT W estern North Carolina ranks as one of the most biodiverse regions among temperate locales making the area a hotbed for agribusinesses and striking vistas In Henderson County 30 minutes from popular Asheville 150 apple orchards occupy over 5500 acres Together the countys apple production ranks as the seventh largest in America and this standing brings visitors from near and far every fall to the orchards for wholesome fun like apple picking hayrides and corn mazes in between admiring the areas renowned leaf peeping along the Blue Ridge Parkway Fifty one mountain peaks dot the county with the highest reaching more than 4500 feet but miles of farmland lie in the valleys where almost every commercial crop can thrive Unsurprisingly hard cider is gaining steam in the area with three cideries calling Henderson County home and several more within easy driving distance that source their apples from here As Asheville continues its reign as Beer City Henderson County caught the attention of Bold Rock Hard Cider the nations largest independently owned cider company Three years 22 CIDERCRAFTMAG COM FLAT ROCK CIDERWORKS BLACKBERRY GOLD Flat Rocks own orchard provides 95 percent of all the apples needed to make its fruit forward ciders and 100 percent of the mountain grown blackberries that give this Golden Delicious based slightly sweet cider just a hint of blackberry lavor Other infused selections range from pineapple to pomegranate as well as a King Luscious single variety an acidic heirloom apple discovered in Hendersonville BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER BLOOD ORANGE The cloudy orange haze of this cider promises a tart tangy citrus pro ile that doesnt overwhelm the palate Bold Rock was one of the irst cideries to experiment with adding blood orange juice to its cider bases and the lavor has been a hit since debuting in 2016 APPALACHIAN RIDGE ARTISAN HARD CIDER DRY Owner Alan Ward has traveled to Normandy several times to study the operations of some of the worlds top cidermakers and his line of sippers embody the light sparkling style that made the region famous The ciders are ine iltered and combine seven freshly pressed apple varieties this dry rendition resembling a traditional Italian Prosecco HENDERSON COUNTY after the Nellysford Virginia location opened its doors Bold Rock chose to open its second cidery in Mills River with an outdoor patio and permanent food truck Henderson County celebrates its 235 years of apple harvests annually with two events the four day North Carolina Apple Festival every Labor Day and Apple Country Cider Jam in April Soon Henderson County will have another apple milestone to celebrate when Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider plants hundreds of apple trees from Normandy France considered by many to be the premier cidermaking region in the world This will be the irst orchard in America permitted to do so and will also make its own version of French pommeau a mix of Calvados and cider as well as serving apple brandy straight l PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT HENDERSONVILLE NORTH CAROLINAS APPLE COUNTRY