KESWICK, Virginia (Aug. 2, 2011) — Castle Hill Cider in Keswick, Virginia opened their Tasting Room and premiered their first release ciders this week. Celestial, Terrestrial, Gravity and Levity made their debut to a host of enthusiastic tasters. The Celestial, Terrestrial and Gravity ciders were made using state of the art methods and equipment—with American-made apple presses and fermentation in stainless steel tanks from Germany—while Levity rose from the earth. In February, Castle Hill Cider “planted” beeswax lined, terracotta vessels from the Caucasus Mountains called kvevri and seeded them with 100% Albemarle Pippin apple must. The cider was allowed to mature on full lees for four months. This ancient method is experiencing a renaissance in the old world where less than a dozen commercial wineries are returning to this wine making process. Castle Hill Cider is unique in the world in employing this radically traditional method. The result is Levity, which reveals the richness of the earth in a full-bodied cider with good minerality.
The new Tasting Room features a handcrafted mahogany tasting bar, handsome white oak paneling and a fieldstone fireplace. Ciders are available for tasting and may be purchased by the bottle or glass. Various comestibles from the garde manger are offered for enjoyment on site. Beautiful French doors open from the Tasting Room to a classic demi-octagonal porch. Graceful views extend in all directions to the mountains, lake and orchard and provide a perfect picnic setting.
The Tasting Room is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 am–5:30 pm. It is available after hours for hosting cocktail parties, rehearsal dinners, buffet luncheons, business meetings and other small gatherings.
Castle Hill was built in 1764 as the home of Colonel Thomas Walker, guardian of Thomas Jefferson. 600 apple trees of 28 varieties were planted in 2009 at Castle Hill to begin the cidery. The Barn at Castle Hill Cider was recently renovated and introduced as a premier venue for weddings and large events. This 600-acre estate has a prominent position in America’s political, artistic and culinary history and is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places and The Virginia Landmark Registry. To arrange for group tastings please contact Castle Hill Cider at 434.296.0047. To reserve the Barn for large events contact Wendy Sherry, the Castle Hill Cider Event Manager at 434.971.8887. Castle Hill Cider is located at 6065 Turkey Sag Road/Route 640 off Route 231 in Keswick, Virginia.
Contact:Paxson MacDonald [email protected]
KESWICK, Virginia (Aug. 2, 2011) — Castle Hill Cider in Keswick, Virginia opened their Tasting Room and premiered their first release ciders this week. Celestial, Terrestrial, Gravity and Levity made their debut to a host of enthusiastic tasters. The Celestial, Terrestrial and Gravity ciders were made using state of the art methods and equipment—with American-made apple presses and fermentation in stainless steel tanks from Germany—while Levity rose from the earth. In February, Castle Hill Cider “planted” beeswax lined, terracotta vessels from the Caucasus Mountains called kvevri and seeded them with 100% Albemarle Pippin apple must. The cider was allowed to mature on full lees for four months. This ancient method is experiencing a renaissance in the old world where less than a dozen commercial wineries are returning to this wine making process. Castle Hill Cider is unique in the world in employing this radically traditional method. The result is Levity, which reveals the richness of the earth in a full-bodied cider with good minerality.
The new Tasting Room features a handcrafted mahogany tasting bar, handsome white oak paneling and a fieldstone fireplace. Ciders are available for tasting and may be purchased by the bottle or glass. Various comestibles from the garde manger are offered for enjoyment on site. Beautiful French doors open from the Tasting Room to a classic demi-octagonal porch. Graceful views extend in all directions to the mountains, lake and orchard and provide a perfect picnic setting.
The Tasting Room is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 am–5:30 pm. It is available after hours for hosting cocktail parties, rehearsal dinners, buffet luncheons, business meetings and other small gatherings.
Castle Hill was built in 1764 as the home of Colonel Thomas Walker, guardian of Thomas Jefferson. 600 apple trees of 28 varieties were planted in 2009 at Castle Hill to begin the cidery. The Barn at Castle Hill Cider was recently renovated and introduced as a premier venue for weddings and large events. This 600-acre estate has a prominent position in America’s political, artistic and culinary history and is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places and The Virginia Landmark Registry. To arrange for group tastings please contact Castle Hill Cider at 434.296.0047. To reserve the Barn for large events contact Wendy Sherry, the Castle Hill Cider Event Manager at 434.971.8887. Castle Hill Cider is located at 6065 Turkey Sag Road/Route 640 off Route 231 in Keswick, Virginia.
Contact:Paxson MacDonald [email protected]
Great news! There is a growing market for quality hard cider.