Rachel Carter Vermont Public Relations

Middlebury, VT – In recognition of a growing number of farm direct relationships and partnerships with Vermont companies, Woodchuck Hard Cider has been invited to join the esteemed Vermont Fresh Network as a food producer member.

“Woodchuck’s commitment to purchase Vermont apples directly from Vermont farmers for their hard cider styles shows not only their dedication to product quality but also their support of the agricultural community, which is a fundamental cornerstone of Vermont – the place we all proudly call home,” comments Meghan Sheridan, Executive Director of the Vermont Fresh Network.

Vermonters have been enjoying hard cider since Samuel de Champlain brought blocks of English cider when exploring the Vermont valley which now bears his name.  Three hundred years later, Vermonters are still enjoying hard cider thanks to a little Vermont apple winery that began making Woodchuck Cider in 1991.  Woodchuck Hard Cider is a hard cider handcrafted with apples that are pressed to juice, fermented and cold-filtered using similar techniques found in the early days of American cider making.  

Almost 20 years later, the same handcrafted cider is now Woodchuck’s flagship style – Amber – leading a collection of Core Ciders, Limited Releases, and the new Private Reserve Label (this year’s first ever Pumpkin Cider).  Located at a state-of-the-art cidery in Middlebury, Vermont Woodchuck Hard Cider partners with Champlain Orchards, Sunrise Orchards, Sentinel Pines, and Cold Hollow Cider Mill as part of their commitment to quality and fostering local relationships with Vermont apple companies.  Relationships with other Vermont apple growers continue to develop as do partnerships with Vermont companies supplying local ingredients such as pumpkins and maple syrup for different Woodchuck Hard Cider styles.  (Note Woodchuck Granny Smith style exclusively uses Granny Smith apples from Washington State as they are not grown in Vermont).  

“Some of the highest quality apples in the world are grown by our partner orchards right here in the Champlain Valley.  As a Vermont company that has been purchasing local fruit for years, we are honored to be one of the newest official members of the Vermont Fresh Network,” comments Bret Williams, Woodchuck Cider’s President and CEO.

The Vermont Fresh Network encourages farmers, food producers and chefs to work directly with each other to build partnerships.  Building these regional connections contributes to stronger local communities and their economies.  The Vermont Fresh Network develops solutions for chefs and farmers to market more locally grown food.  A strong farm economy creates local jobs, provides nutritious food and preserves the close-knit communities of our state.  More information at www.vermontfresh.net.

Woodchuck Hard Cider is a hard cider handcrafted with apples.  First crafted in Proctorsville, Vermont in 1991, Woodchuck Hard Cider now operates in a state-of-the-art cidery in Middlebury, Vermont.  The popular Woodchuck Amber is the original style produced and still today the recipe remains the same. That’s not to say some things haven’t changed over the years, Woodchuck now has an extended line up of styles and has grown distribution from one country store in VT to across the United States. Greg Failing, the original creator of the recipe and the cider maker to this day, combines both art and science with his own personal touch in crafting this award winning cider. The Woodchuck family ensures exceptional quality and premium taste are met in every small batch before any bottle or keg leaves our back door. A naturally gluten-free beverage, Woodchuck Hard Cider is also a favorite in food pairings and a key ingredient in a variety of recipes.  More information at www.woodchuck.com.