A Passion for Fruit: Island Orchard Cider
Tucked away on Washington Island, Island Orchard Cider grows quality cider apples which are affected by Wisconsin's natural terroir. After harvest, the bounty makes its way over Lake Michigan’s 'Death Door' by ferry and gets made into a variety of ciders that pay respects to French influence; not too sweet with bright flavors. “We hope our passion for local orchard-grown fruit shines through into our ciders,” says Owner/Cider Maker/Orchardist Bob Purman, “because to us, half of the art of making cider is growing a healthy fruitful orchard.”
Island Orchard Cider recently released their new Pomona Cider, named after the Roman goddess of orchards, which Purman says, “has a delicious vanilla, brandy, and apple flavor.” First, Island Orchard Cider's Brut Apple Cider is distilled into a strong brandy. The brandy is blended with freshly pressed apple cider juice and then aged one year in bourbon barrels.The Pomona packs a punch with an impressive 17% ABV, and paved the way for their next new release: the Royal Cider. The Royal builds off of the familiar flavors of the Pomona, starting with the same Brut brandy which is blended with Brut Apple Cider. It is then aged for two years in American oak barrels for a distinct flavor.
But premium apples aren’t just good for a refreshing glass of cider, they are also the perfect base for artisan vinegars! Over the last year, Island Orchard Cider has been working on a vinegar production line in their Door County Cider House, and will release five varieties of Wisconsin-made vinegars in 2020. The bright and complex flavors of their fruit shines through in a new way, and produces a stellar ingredient for cooking.
Even Island Orchard Cider’s Door County Cider House has gone through a face-lift. Due to the increase of traffic during the busy summer season, they have nearly tripled the seating area for cider-tasters and are working on a new and exciting Milwaukee expansion. Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Pomona Cider Co. on Milwaukee’s East Side, an urban cidery collaboration between Island Orchard and Tom Gabert of Pour Inc.
Island Orchard Cider's care for quality is evident in every sip. “Our hope is that by being highly involved in production from planting trees and picking fruit to fermenting and bottling our ciders, we can bring our customer the absolute best quality cider,” says Purman. Such attention to detail elevates Island Orchard Cider products to the top tier of local artisanal products, and will change your preconceived notions of cider with the very first sip. Cheers!
