newby from the states

Hi
I have an heirloom/heritage apple orchard that I started in 2000 in Pennsylvania and have been making (hard)( that what alcoholic cider is called in the US) cider for some 20 years. I usually fortify it and it comes in at about 15% alcohol by volume. In my orchard I have over 150 varieties of apples many of which are "cider" apples.

I noted another new member wondering if his apple trees could grow in the cold. In Pennsylvania for the past week it has been holding around 20-30 F which is a routine winter for us and many of our good apple growing areas are in much colder climates than us. So there should be no problem as long as you get the varieties that thrive in the cold.

My wife and I and another couple are visiting your country in early April and I would like to visit with folks who make cider for their own consumption as well as the commercial cider makers. In England, you can tour ( and I have) visit the farm cider makers but so far I have not been able to identify any group of New Zealanders who have this as a hobby. Any websites or other information would be appreciated.

And if I can answer any questions about apples trees or (hard) cider I'd be happy to. I'd like to bring some cider with me but doubt that I can get it through security.

Here's a link to my orchard's site
www.netreach.net/~tugger/apples/apples.html

Fortunately, since we have retired we have relocated to Santa Cruz, CA and my orchard is fallow and I don't sell trees anymore but my children plan to maintain the heirloom varieties.

Mickey Tomlinson

Hi Mickey and welcome to lsb

Cheers
Kate

Hi Mickey, here is a link to an organic orchard and winery near us. They have cider on their product list, may be of interest to you!

www.celticwinery.com/

..and here's another orchard near Levin that makes Apple Cider Vinegar.
I know it's not the alcoholic stuff, but they grow apples and make juices as well. Both these are reasonably small outfits that probably started as hobbies!

www.coraltree.co.nz

There's the Cider House Orchard in Featherston, Wairarapa.

And the Dunsandel Store in Dunsandel, on the Main South Road south of Christchurch, north of Rakaia, in the South Island. If you Google Camla Farms (the label of the cider they make) or Dunsandel Store, you'll get plenty of info.

Santa Cruz! One of my favourite parts of the world that region... is Capitola still as quaint as it used to be?? Enjoy your visit in New Zealand!

Cheers,
Andrea
Oxford

thanks for the leads. will check them out and hopefully visit some/all of them and drink a bit of the nectar.

And yes, Capitola is as quaint as ever. 25 of us play ukuleles at the beach there every Sun morning at the band stand right on the beach. This follows our playing at the beach at the SC harbor every Sat morning. Usually there are between 80 and 100 of us at that event.

Can anyone put me onto the New Zealand Ukulele group? There must be one.

see you

Mickey

www.ukulele.co.nz/ they just tried to break a record for the most Ukelele's playing at once - think they just missed out. The guy from Flight of the Chonchords (Brett?) plays with them.

enjoy