ACA Welcomes Three New Certified Pommeliers™ Following Exam in Virginia
The American Cider Association (ACA) is pleased to announce that three individuals have achieved the rank of Certified Pommelier™ following an exam held in Charlottesville, Virginia on October 6. The newly minted Certified Pommeliers™ are Brittany Kordick of Kordick Family Farm, Joanne Mumbey of BeyLoved Pairings LLC and award winning amateur cidermaker Brad Winans.
Joanne Mumbey, Brittany Kordick, and Brad Winans
“We are so proud to welcome these new Certified Pommeliers™ to our vibrant community of experts elevating the appreciation and understanding of cider,” says ACA Director of Education and Program Development Jennie Dorsey. “Each new member brings with them the stories of orchards, the craftsmanship of cidermakers, and the passion of enthusiasts that makes our community thrive. We are very excited to see what the future holds and the new heights that our community can reach together.”
The ACA originally launched its Certified Cider Professional™ (CCP) program to equip industry leaders with the expertise to navigate cider’s rich diversity with confidence. As cider’s popularity continues to grow, the program is gaining popularity with food and beverage professionals wanting to set themselves apart from their peers with exceptional skills, deep knowledge, and a commitment to hospitality.
“We know that top dining experiences are built on knowledgeable, confident service, and cider deserves to be part of that conversation,” says ACA CEO Monica Cohen. “Our Certified Cider Professional™ program ensures that food and beverage professionals have the expertise to showcase cider’s full potential. With cider pairings, we know the dining experience for guests is elevated.”
More about the Certified Cider Professional™ Program and Upcoming Opportunities
The Certified Cider Professional™ program is designed to educate those on the front-line of cider sales, making it the world’s most comprehensive and in-depth cider appreciation program for food and beverage professionals worldwide.
The CCP program begins with a Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ (CCG) designation to help industry professionals develop a fundamental understanding of cider. The Level 2 Certified Pommelier™ (CP) designation takes it a step further by encouraging cider professionals to think critically and showcase a higher level of understanding of the elements of cider.
The ACA is dedicated to ensuring that all information tested on the exam is made accessible to anyone who desires to learn. To that end, the ACA released a textbook in March of 2023 to help candidates prepare to take the exam with just one comprehensive resource. The second edition of the textbook was released in March of 2024 to present a more global view of the cider industry as well as including new sections covering important emerging sectors such as low and no-alcohol products. The textbook is available for purchase through Kindle Direct Publishing. Additionally, the ACA offers sensory analysis practice webinars and a Facebook study group continuously updated with resources for exam candidates. Interested candidates can find links to all Certified Pommelier™ resources on the ACA website.
For those interested in attaining their Certified Pommelier™ designation there is an upcoming exam at CiderCon® 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island on February 3. Registration for the exam is on the ACA website. While exam takers do not have to be registered for CiderCon® 2026 to take the exam, it is highly recommended as a way to connect with the larger cider community.
Contact the ACA’s Director of Education Jennie Dorsey for more information about global cider education and access to Certified Cider Professional™ programming near you. You can also learn more at https://ciderassociation.org/certification.
###