Golden State Cider Releases California Farms Cider Collection

SEBASTOPOL, Calif. — Golden State Cider today announces our California Farms Cider Collection, a new draft-only cider series made from single apple varieties from orchards throughout California. The initial release is the Newtown Pippin from Pajaro Valley in Santa Cruz County in Central California. Newtown Pippin kegs are now available across California and in Portland, Oregon.

“There are so many distinct apple-growing regions in California, as each region has a drastically different climate that imprints a signature on the apples grown there,” says Tim Godfrey, Head Cider Maker for Golden State Cider. “With the launch of the California Farms Cider Collection we are excited to work directly with apple farmers and bring to consumers the true cider terroirs across our home state.”

Newtown Pippin is made from 100% Newtown Pippin apples harvested in 2017 from Five Mile Orchards, an orchard that has been growing apples for nearly a century. Single varietal ciders, like Newtown Pippin are unique in their ability to capture an experience based around a specific variety of apple from a specific time and place.

The drier climate of the Pajaro Valley creates concentrated aromatics with intense, rich notes of honey, melon, lemon, lime and grassy meadows. On the palate, the mouthfeel is full, yet crisp, likely due to the cool marine air that flows through the valley at night. Rich flavors of caramelized honey, apple skin, peppercorn and apple brandy in tandem with an 8.4% ABV, brings out a perceived touch of sweetness to this bone dry cider.

Part of Golden State Cider’s brand mission is to help “Save the Gravenstein,” an apple that used to dominate the landscape we live in, but no longer does for numerous reasons. We want to change this story by bringing back the Gravenstein to Sonoma County and also help other farms and communities across California revive traditional apple varietals by increasing consumer awareness and making them commercially viable through cider making.

Golden State Cider also grows over 100 varieties of heirloom, dry-farmed organic apples in our own orchards in Sebastopol, CA. These apples, along with apples from our friends’ neighboring farms are used to create the Harvest Series, our field blend ciders. This series highlights our local Sonoma County terroir during each harvest season. In 2018, we have released the Elder Tree (Arkansas Black dominant) and Fool’s Gold (20 Golden Varieties) so far.

About Golden State Cider

Golden State Cider, founded in 2012, makes apple-driven dry ciders that use 100% fresh-pressed juice. Each cider is vegan-friendly and gluten-free. If you would like any additional information, please contact info@drinkgoldenstate.com or visit our website https://www.drinkgoldenstate.com