Schilling Parts Ways with Incline Cider, Retains Original Recipes Customers Love

SEATTLE, WA – Schilling Cider has championed the cider community for more than a decade, creating National Cider Month to grow consumer passion for the craft, advocating for cider-forward legislation, and operating two cider houses that carry more guest cider brands than their own.

In 2015, Schilling Cider entered into a contract with Incline Cider to develop and produce Incline’s alcoholic cider beverages, crafting proprietary recipes, with Incline’s products having been made exclusively at Schilling’s facilities. Over the years, Schilling exceeded its role as a typical production partner, investing in equipment, staffing, and facility expansion to help Incline scale with minimal risk and keep products consistently available to consumers. 

As part of this business relationship, the parties signed a recipe agreement under which Incline agreed that Schilling’s recipes would not be disclosed to any third parties or used anywhere outside of Schilling’s production facilities. Additionally, if Incline ceased production at Schilling’s facility, exclusive ownership of the recipes and related intellectual property rights would revert back to Schilling Cider.  

In June 2025, Incline informed Schilling of its intent to move production of its products to a competing manufacturer and seller. Despite Schilling’s efforts to amicably manage the relationship, the circumstances necessitated that Schilling file a lawsuit seeking to protect its financial interests in the recipes and prevent their disclosure. 

A recent court ruling affirmed Schilling’s rights, granting Schilling’s request for a Preliminary Injunction against Incline and stating: 

• “Plaintiff [Schilling] has rights in the ownership, use, and disclosure of the Recipes.” Recipes include all recipes and formulas (past, present and future), variations on the recipes, product names, and related intellectual property rights; 
• "Plaintiff [Schilling] has well-grounded fears defendant [Incline] will violate those rights;"
• “Defendant [Incline] is prohibited from using the Recipes in any facility other than Plaintiff’s [Schilling] facility;” and
• “Defendant [Incline] is prohibited from disclosing the Recipes to third-parties.” 

Incline has instructed Schilling to wind down production of its products at Schilling’s production facilities. At the conclusion of this production, Schilling officially regains ownership and exclusive use of the recipes.

“We partnered with Incline for the long haul and are deeply saddened by this outcome,” expressed Schilling Cider’s Co-Founder and CEO, Colin Schilling. “We recognize how much these ciders mean to people, and I’m so proud of the recipes we’ve created. As we move forward, we remain committed to making exceptional ciders and promise to bring back the flavors customers love.”

Colin continued, “While this impacts us, Schilling remains strong and is excited to offer these recipes to the market under a new brand we own. We are innovative and resilient, and committed to leading positive change within the industry.”

This winter, consumers can look forward to a brand new Schilling cider line, delivering the beloved flavors consumers know and trust. Crafted with the highest quality ingredients and made sustainably, the line will utilize the Schilling original recipes and offer the same familiar taste that their customers have come to love. 

About Schilling Cider 

Crafted with passion and rooted in sustainability, Schilling Cider has redefined exceptional cider since 2013. As the largest Fresh Pressed cider producer nationwide, Schilling prioritizes quality, dynamic flavors, meticulous craftsmanship, and environmental and social responsibility within the industry. They actively take steps to minimize their carbon footprint through local sourcing, environmental givebacks, and a 100% electric vehicle sales fleet. Schilling has spearheaded multiple initiatives to promote and showcase numerous cideries across the country, reflecting their dedication to lifting the cider industry as a whole.