Troddenvale "House Cider" Virginia 2023

FROM TRODDENVALE:

THE CIDER: Many people ask what is our most consistent cider year to year. Throwing subjective consideration out the door, the House seems to be the logical answer. The key varietals and their respective growers wavers little year to year. The goal of making this cider is to provide a consistent satisfaction while translating our state of Virginia as best as we can. That being said, the nuances of vintage to vintage are there and this year’s might stand out more than others. Yes, its hallmark citrusy, zesty profile is unmistakable but this year it is more tannically pithy, a touch tighter, and a little less textural. Up front subtle reduction keeps the fruit tight. With oxygen, gooseberry fruit and a lovely little white floral quality, somewhere between Autumn Clematis and orange blossom begins to show. The heavier percentage of crab apples certainly contributes to this and makes this year’s House one of the more precise and beautiful in years.

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.