Marin van Sprang is a Dutch cidermaker. Marin started IESSEL Cider in 2017 together with his companion Rob le Rutte, aiming to give new purpose and value to declining local orchards and local heirloom apples and pears.

Cider in the Netherlands is a niche product and an emerging market. Marin has been pioneering for the last decade growing appels and pears, small scale production of ciders, pommeau, ice cider, cider vinegar and syrup and developing the local market for cider. In 2025 IESSEL cider was awarded a gold medal at Ciderworld in Frankfurt confirming 10 years of dedication to mastering the art of cidermaking.

IESSEL Cider owns 5 acres of orchard, but collects most of its fruit from over a 100 orchards in the vicinity of the IJssel river in the east of the country. In 2025 IESSEL Cider will move to a historic building in Terwolde next to orchards and the IJssel river, where in 2026 a taproom will open its doors.

Marin grew up in the south of the Netherlands, moving to Deventer to study environmental science. After a long career in IT, in 2023 Marin decided to dedicate most of his time to his true passion: making artisanal and 100% natural ciders.

Marin is married to Hester, also a Certified Pommelier, and together they have 3 kids.

Jorn Meinderts is a cider enthusiast and maker, and co-founder of De Vercierderij, a small-scale cidery based in the iconic Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam. What began as a hobby between two roommates has grown into a passionate craft operation focused on wild-fermented ciders made from organic, old Dutch apple varieties.

Jorn’s approach to cidermaking blends curiosity with respect for nature, using minimal intervention techniques to let the apples speak for themselves. Through De Vercierderij, his mission is to connect people with nature—and with each other—using high-quality cider as the medium.

Hester van Sprang is a Dutch cider enthusiast and Certified Pommelier, based in Deventer, The Netherlands. She is married to cidermaker Marin van Sprang, co-founder of IESSEL Cider. Together they share a deep commitment to the craft, culture, and future of cider in the Netherlands.

While Hester does not make cider herself, she plays an active role in the world of cider through tasting, education, and hospitality. At IESSEL Cider, she supports the business during busy seasons and regularly hosts tastings, helping guests and customers discover the diverse and expressive world of cider, perry, and pommeau. With a sharp sensory awareness and a passion for storytelling, she connects people to the landscapes, orchards, and apple varieties behind each bottle.

Professionally, Hester works as a consultant in building management, a field that echoes many of cider’s core themes: heritage, land use, sustainability, and the value of place. Becoming a Certified Pommelier in 2025 deepened her dedication to cider as both a cultural product and a shared experience. She especially values low-intervention ciders made from traditional fruit, and loves exploring how cider fits into broader conversations about taste, regional identity, and landscape.