Troddenvale "A Darker Shade of Damson" Cider-Plum Blend, Bath County, Virginia 2025

FROM TRODDENVALE:

THE CIDER: 77% Chambourcin, 23% Damson Plum. We have enjoyed tinkering with the percentages of Damson in both this wine and the Dollop of Damson over the years. The Darker Shade of Damson has seen as little at 6% and in other years, up to 25%. 2025 showcases Damson in a much more forward way, allowing for vibrant, plump fruit on the nose. The smaller fruit size of this Damson cultivar tends to convey more aromatics and denser fleshiness. The whole cluster Chambourcin still lends stemmy spice and structure and the acid leans a little broader, saltier. We love putting a “red wine” in a totally different lense, allowing this wine to serve a totally different purpose for your imbibement.

THE PRODUCER: In their own words: “Troddenvale roughly translates to the ‘valley road’ and is inspired by a lengthy history of visitors traveling to the cradle of Virginia’s Warm Springs Valley. Translated through our cider, we strive to preserve this valley’s treasured history, its spring water, forgotten orchards, and furthermore, we seek an opportunity for new stories to be told - of the land, the soil, and the people. We are focused on revitalizing fruit growing for cider production in our mountain region of Virginia. We believe that dedicating our efforts to where fruit is grown and how will lead us to achieve the greatest potential in our cider.”

In their efforts to support the broader region, they glean a lot of fruit from old abandoned orchards and seedlings on the perimeters of properties. However, they also consistently buy fruit from growers in the area, working with them to improve their agricultural practices even if the farmers are resistant to organic/regenerative agriculture. Will and Cornelia planted a home vineyard (pictured above) to many varieties and are farming it according to regenerative principles. They have also started a food share (basically a farmer’s market) that’s transforming the region’s agriculture; their chicken farming neighbors now sell the majority of their chickens to customers in Western VA.