Rounding Up Cider Clubs and CSAs

Wine clubs have been a significant support of small (or not so so small) wineries for years. They bring steady business, which is especially important in an area that may only have winery traffic during a tourist season. I asked myself the other day, if cideries are taking part in this tradition. It seems like a great idea to me for both the businesses and cider enthusiasts.

I found a few cider clubs even two cideries that use the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model. What perhaps is the most surprising to me is the relatively wide variety of ways these different clubs work. So, I’m rounding up a few here. I’m sure I’ve not found them all though. Feel free to show me more in the comments.

Tieton Works Cider Club

The Tieton Works Cider Club, Washington

The company describes their club saying, “The Tieton Cider Works Cider Club provides a unique opportunity to be among the first to taste new releases and special offerings including any Small Batch Releases for Members only. Cider shipments are automatically sent to your home or office at a discount, four times per year, December, March, June and September.” The shipments are thematic including themes like holidays, cocktails, and food pairings. The price is listed as 29-38 before taxes and shipping and includes a year round discount on additional cider purchases. Find out more here: http://www.tietonciderworks.com/tieton/ciders/the-tieton-cider-works-cider-club.html

Bellwether Ciders

Bellwether Cidery Case Club, New York

Perhaps the simplest of all of the clubs, Bellwether offers a discount club for all customers who buy a case of their ciders,”They say commitment can be scary. We think commitment can save you some money! When you purchase a full case (12 bottles) of cider at one time, you are automatically entered into our Case Club! Once you are a member, you will enjoy a 20% discount on all future case purchases. Just buy at least one case every 12 months to stay active!” Scroll down on their main page to read all about it: http://www.cidery.com/

Blue Mountain Cider Club

Blue Mountain Cider Club, Oregon

This cidery succinctly describes their club’s key features, “Cider club members receive discounts, first access to tasting room-only ciders and invites to club-only events.” Members get two cider deliveries a year and can join the club at either 4 or 6 bottles per shipment. The selections highlight new releases or special limited run ciders available only to club members. Tasting privileges, events, and an ongoing discount are further perks offered to those who join. I could not easily see the price on the information page, but you can read more there: http://secure.drinkcider.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=4

Redbyrd Workman Cider

Redbyrd Spring Cider Share, New York

This is a considerably more local operation, but nonetheless it is a really interesting way for Finger Lakes Region cider fans and this cidermaker to come together, “How cool would it be if there were dry cider waiting for you at your weekly vegetable CSA pick-up? Sign up for Good Life Farm’s Spring CSA and you can easily add a Redbyrd Orchard Cider Share.” Shareholders choose between Workman’s Dry Cider or the Workman’s Semi-Dry and could purchase by the half case, case, weekly bottle, or six litter keg with prices ranging from $65 to $122. Though the cider share is long over for the year, you can read about it here: http://redbyrdorchardcider.com/2013/02/06/37/

Foggy Ridge Cider

Foggy Ridge Cider Club, Virginia

This cider makes the”Foggy Ridge Cider Club Members enjoy four (4) 3, 6 or 12 bottle shipments delivered directly to you every year. Cider shipments are carefully selected by the cidermaker and include special products and vintages not always available to other customers. Shipment prices vary, but the average shipment cost over the course of the year is $100 (after discount, before tax and shipping). Each shipment will automatically be charged to the credit card provided as well as shipping and applicable state taxes.” Members also have access to an ongoing discount on all future cider purchases, two tickets to all Foggy Ridge events from May through October,
free tastings in tasting room, and a Virginia Wine app as well as invitations to exclusive Cider Club events, the ability to buy limited releases, early access to new ciders, and recipes and recommendations in each delivery. You can learn more about the club on their website: http://store.foggyridgecider.com/foggy-ridge-cider-club-p5.aspx

Finnriver Cider

Finnriver Cidery, Washington

Finnriver offers 10 different cider clubs with different levels of commitment. They say, “Enjoy year-round discounts and special releases by joining a Finnriver club. There are a handful of choices to review and it takes just a few steps to sign up!” I found the array pleasandly dizzying and too intricate to reword in its entirety here, but you can find out about all 10 clubs here: http://www.vineyard2door.com/web/clubs_browse.cfm?CFID=4125294&CFTOKEN=53957001

Whether or not you decide to check out a cider club for yourself, I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing what a few cideries are doing to help their customers enjoy their cider year round.