Apples of Our Eye: Honoring Women’s Contributions to Cider

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we’re celebrating the incredible women making waves in the cider industry every day! From orchardists to cidermakers to CEOs and everything in between, these women are shaping the future of cider with their passion, creativity, and expertise. Let’s raise a glass to their hard work and dedication, breaking stereotypes and barriers along the way. Cheers to the women redefining the cider scene one delicious sip at a time!

We rounded up some recent news articles featuring women in cider. Check out the links below for a fresh cup of inspiration. Do you have some exciting news about women in cider that we missed? Let us know.

And be sure to follow us on Instagram, where we’ll highlight members for Women’s Month throughout March.

Recent Articles and Podcasts Featuring Women in Cider

IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition Applications Due June 7

This summer, the IWSC, in partnership with Cider Is Wine, is bringing its international drinks awards to Somerset, South West England, to judge cider, perry, and fruit wine made from 100% juice, not from concentrate.

Renowned for expertise, influence, and personal approach, the IWSC is proud to champion entrants from across the cider category.

Learn more and apply today: https://iwsc.net/alternative-drinks/cider

Spring is in the Air on the Virginia Cider Trail

Spring is in the air and it’s time to hit the trail! The Virginia Cider Trail that is. Apple blossoms are bursting open around the state and spring festivals and cider releases are popping up like daffodils. Check out these upcoming events to find something near you or something farther afield if you’re looking for a nice drive on a sunny day!

April 7: Habanero Mango Cider Release at Buskey Cider

April 7: Friday Love Cider Series at Stable Craft Brewing

April 8: Farmhouse Hops & Hunt at Back Bay Brew House

April 8: Adult Easter Egg Hunt at Henway Hard Cider

April 8: Easter Weekend Brunch at Courthouse Creek Cider

April 8: Adult Easter Egg Hunt at Coyote Hole Ciderworks

April 9: Live Music in the Orchard at Albemarle Ciderworks

April 9: Easter Weekend Brunch at Courthouse Creek Cider

April 9: Easter Sunday Brunch at Stable Craft Brewing

April 9: Heirloom Apple Grafting Workshop at Tumbling Creek Cider Company

April 12: Hewe’s Crab and Crab Action at Sage Bird Ciderworks

April 14: Night Teach with Spectator Bird at Cider From Mars

April 14: Boot Scoot Square Dance Party at Potter’s Craft Cider

April 15: Seafood and Sounds with Jacob Paul Allen at Blue Toad Hard Cider

April 15: Daze of Rosé Festival at Castle Hill Cider

April 15: Mars Market: Spring Edition and Cider From Mars

April 15: Second Annual Bloom Fest at Potter’s Craft Cider

April 15: Winchester Ciderworks Takeover Night at Blue Fox Billiards

April 16: Pints & Ponies at Stable Craft Brewing

April 16: Heirloom Apple Grafting Workshop at Tumbling Creek Cider Company

April 20: Flappy Hour Benefit for Bat Conservation and Rescue of VA at Cider From Mars

April 22: Sharif Live at Blue Toad Hard Cider

April 22: Spring Apple Blossom Festival at Bryant’s Cider

April 22: Earth Day Flower Crown Workshop at Courthouse Creek Cider

April 22: Spring Block Party at Lost Boy Cider

April 23: Step Up for Down Syndrome Annual Fundraiser at Blue Toad Hard Cider

April 23: Liquid Craft Festival at Sly Clyde Ciderworks

April 26: Pride Night Social Fundraiser at Sage Bird Ciderworks

April 29: Britchin Brown Renaissance Fest at Stable Craft Brewing

May 6: Kentucky Derby Party at Coyote Hole Ciderworks

May 7: Spring Car Show at Coyote Hole Ciderworks

May 13: Mother’s Day Saturday Flower Workshop with Faded Poppy at Stable Craft Brewing

May 14: Live Music in the Orchard at Albemarle Ciderworks

May 20: Cider Palooza at Coyote Hole Ciderworks

May 27: Coyote Hole Ciderworks Birthday Celebration

Celebrating Women’s History in the Cider Industry

Happy International Women’s Day! 

What is this day for? International Women’s Day is a day to bring awareness to the lack of gender equity on our planet. Where does the U.S. fall in gender equity progress? The gender gap in pay is one measure of dynamic inequalities–just last year, U.S. “women earned 82% of what men earned, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers.” (Pew Research) Researchers also found that this number hasn’t changed much in 20 years. 

As a cider industry, we can take steps to ensure we are part of progress on gender equity. Here are a few ways your cidery can lead the way on gender equity in hiring and HR:

  • Post all jobs with a pay rate. 
  • Avoid using gendered pronouns in job descriptions. 
  • Evaluate your pay scales for equality–are people earning the same wage for similar positions?
  • Use established skill-based assessments to promote. 
  • Invest in making sure your company and your establishment are taking proactive steps to prevent gender-based violence and discrimination. 
  • Increase women and non-binary representation in leadership and decision-making teams. 

In what ways are you promoting gender equity at your cidery? 

Did you miss Dr. J’s presentation at CiderCon® on Retaining Great Talent? Her tips are useful for recruiting and retaining a talented gender-diverse workforce. Check out her slides here.

Celebrate Women’s Voices

The cider industry has an extremely talented community of women doing incredible work. We’re celebrating International Women’s Day by sharing some of their stories with you. And to double the celebration–all these stories were written by women beverage journalists and storytellers! Enjoy this collection of recent publications by women, about women, and for cider!*

Ria Windcaller of Cider Chat enjoys cheese and cider in France. Photo by Tristan Wright

Cider Chat Podcast by Ria Windcaller –ACA 2023 Significant Impact Winner

The Cider Jawns pouring their first commercial cider at CiderCon® 2023 in Chicago. Photo by Brandon Buza
Tegan Biun is a cidermaker at Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, Virginia.
Sean and Malaika Tyson of Cider Soms sampling cider at CiderCon® 2023. Malaika is a frequent contributor to Cider Culture. Photo by Brandon Buza
Darlene Hayes is a cider expert and author who helped the ACA create its Certified Cider Professional Program.

CiderCraft Magazine

And Some Women-Created Stories About Apples That We Love:

Talia Haykin runs Haykin Family Cider in Colorado and is a member of the ACA Board of Directors.

*Friendly reminder cider members–make sure you have Michelle McGrath on your press list. We want to elevate your press!

Claude Jolicoeur Book Signing Events

The American Cider Association is pleased to share that they will be hosting three book signing events in the Northwest with esteemed global cider ambassador and celebrated drinks author Claude Jolicoeur. Come to one of the events to learn more about cider and perry making traditions from around the world, take home a signed copy of his delighful book Cider Planet, and enjoy a refreshing cider. Books and cider will be available for sale at all events. Cider and books––what pairs better than that?

Book signing events will be held at the following:

Let us know you’ll be joining on Facebook!

Can’t make any of these three events? Claude will be presenting at the Northwest Cider Symposium in Tacoma, WA on March 14, 2023 and signing books as well. You must have registered for the Symposium in order to attend.

Two Weekend Events on VA Cider Trail

Apples abound this weekend at exciting harvest events taking place at two stops on the Virginia Cider Trail. If you’re looking for a fun family weekend event, there’s no need to look any further than these two appealing harvest festivals. Read on to learn where to go, when to be there, and what will be happening!

22nd Annual Apple Harvest Festival with Albemarle Ciderworks

Date & Time: November 5 starting at 10am

Join Albemarle Ciderworrks for one of the most anticipated festivals of autumn, the Apple Harvest Festival hosted by the CoveGarden Ruritans and Albemarle CiderWorks!

Find farmers’ market vendors, meet local artisans, and craftsmen demonstrating their skills. Enjoy Brunswick stew and apple butter or grab some to go. Dig your teeth into a variety of apples and taste an array of Albemarle CiderWorks’ fine sparkling ciders. Dance the afternoon away with live music from local bands, and take a hayride around the mountain.

Apple Harvest Festival and Makers Market at Sage Bird Ciderworks

Date & Time: November 5 starting at 11am

Join Sage Bird Ciderworks to celebrate their favorite things: apples and fall!

Cider pressing, heirloom and cider apple tasting with Glaize Orchards, a cider release, mulled cider and cider donuts, food trucks, local makers and crafters, and live music will light up the festivities all day Saturday.

Virginia Cider Trail Fall Events

Fall has officially arrived and apple harvest season is in full swing across Virginia! To celebrate, cidermakers across the state are hosting harvest festivals, pressing parties and cider release events.  They would like to invite you to join in their celebrations of the cidermaking season with orchard parties and more. Check out the list below to find a fun event in your neck of the woods or one further afield if you’re looking for a fall weekend getaway!

We hope you’ll take the time to visit one or more of these fantastic fall events and learn more about Virginia apples and the ciders made from them. And don’t forget to check in on your Virginia Cider Trail Passport for a chance to earn prizes!