What’s better than showing up at a vineyard to drink wine? THINKING you’re showing up at a vineyard to drink wine but you somehow ended up at a craft cider establishment instead… oh…. oh well…. cider it is!
What: Appalachian Mountain Artisan Cidery
Where: 749 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 – about 30 mins from Asheville, NC
Time: give yourself up to a couple hours to unwind & leisurely enjoy their offerings & the scenery
When my pal & I stepped through the door & the bartender warmly called to us,
“Welcome to Appalachian Ridge!”
I didn’t recognize the name. It didn’t sound like the place were were trying to get to & we realized that we had in fact, despite using GPS, not ended up where we had been trying to go.
But a glance around at the cozily warm, dimly lit & inviting space around us, it didn’t take any considering on the bartender’s part for us to decide and stay.
Besides cider, they also make 2 liquors, of which we sampled first. First brandy, then sherry.
The brandy was smooth as BUTTER (er, VEGAN butter that is [for those of you that don’t know I’m vegan!]).
Really though – it had such a soft velvety caress over your tongue you truly could not perceive any alcohol content in it at all, though it was over 20% ABV (crazy!).
Housed in a 100 year old restored barn, the ambiance was really so lovely.
The bartender was kind & knowledgeable & patient with our curiosity & ensuing 1,000 questions about the ciders, the history of the establishment, the meaning behind the names, & even himself & his personal story.
The ciders themselves are all around 9% ABV (now that’s my kind of cider) & to my untrained but highly critical taste buds, simply excellent. Whether you prefer dry or on the sweeter side, their offerings include both.
And on a warmer day, their large back deck offers plenty of room to lounge & gaze upon the adjoining vineyards & orchards.
That evening, we even caught a bit of the sunset over the mountains in the distance.
I HIGHLY recommend you visit Applachian Mountain Cidery ASAP!!
Have you ever visited a craft cidery that stuck out in your mind? Where was it? Leave a comment & tell me!