Member Highlight: Daring Wine & Cider Company
Cidery Name
Where are you located and when did you start?
We are located in Stuart, Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we got our farm winery license in July of 2022.
Describe your cidery in three words.
Brave. Bold. Daring.
What inspired you to start making cider?
Our (Jocelyn and Megan) friendship grew from working together in the wine industry in Virginia (over 20 years ago!), and when Jocelyn started working with Diane Flynt at Foggy Ridge Cider she was hooked and pulled me into that world as well. It has been a long-time dream of ours to create our own place and make the ciders we love to drink and want to share with the world.
Describe your cider making style.
Small lot, carefully crafted, quaffable, crushable dry ciders. We make our ciders like we make our wine and they are clean and crisp celebrations of all the things that cider apples grown in Virginia can be. We are also focusing on harvesting locally sourced fruit and botanicals so we can expand our range of cider offerings.
What is your favorite cider that you make?
Crab Apple Blend – This dry cider made from 75% Hewes Crab and 25% Ruby Red Crab is a constant crowd pleaser and always the one we reach for when we are craving cider.
Where can cider enthusiasts find your products?
On our website (we ship!), at pop-ups, wine bars and restaurants around Virginia, or by visiting us at the farm.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy cider (food pairing, occasion, etc.)?
With friends over a great meal.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone new to making cider or wanting to start a cidery?
Make the connections in the industry with people who can mentor you and guide you on your journey. We wouldn’t be where we were if it weren’t for the great people who have helped and encouraged us along the way.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of cidermaking?
Cidermaker Jocelyn enjoys working in her vegetable garden, tending to her ever-growing planting of native flowers and tending to the animals on her farm all with the help of her family. You can find Megan out enjoying all the beautiful places in the state to hike and walk with her dogs.