Cider Chat

In this episode of Cider Chat, we visit Heeman Cellars in Ontario, where a multi-generational strawberry farm expanded into cider and mead production focused on heritage apples, terroir, and experimentation. We taste blends, single varietals, and rare apples including Wayne, Swayzie – Pomme Grise, Yarlington Mill, and crab apples while discussing Ontario cider history, barrel aging, Pet Nat cider, and what it means to make cider that comes from somewhere. 00:00 Somewhere Cider Idea 02:17 Episode Setup Tom Heeman 03:44 Cider Travel Updates 06:16 Road To Episode 500 10:19 Heeman Farm Origins 11:18 Orchard Plans Partnerships 12:04 London Ontario Location 14:13 Apples Bees Cider Bug 15:28 Cider Mead Beginnings 17:18 Launching During Covid 19:58 Style Shift Toward Dry 23:26 Ontario Terroir Apples 25:48 Family Buy In 27:51 Tasting Flight Begins 30:10 Magic Apple Story 34:52 New Traditions Pet Nat 36:14 Somerset Blend Deep Dive 37:55 Ontario Blend Origins 38:23 Aging Takes Time 39:04 Yarlington Mill Pour 40:28 Terroir and Acid Balance 41:51 Somewhere Cider Philosophy 42:12 Happy Space Mission 45:16 Wayne Apple Discovery 47:13 Old World Notes Explained 51:32 Swayze Pomme Grise 55:15 Ontario Apple Golden Age 58:59 Sweet Crab Apple Shock 01:04:21 Clamping and Carbonic Trials 01:08:27 Wrap Up and Credits Find the full show notes for Episode 498 at CiderChat.com Direct Link at:https://ciderchat.com/podcast/498-heeman-cellars/ Listen to wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's coming next in Ciderville. Prefer to watch? Find Cider Chat on YouTube for more cider stories, orchard adventures, and global cider culture. 💛 Enjoy cider? Help keep #ciderGoingUP - by supporting Cider Chat. Your support helps keep the podcast on the air and makes it possible to share more conversations like this one.

This archival episode of Cider Chat brings together five experienced cider makers answering real-world questions from beginners at CiderCon 2019. Originally released as Episodes 174 and 175, this combined feature presents a comprehensive Q&A covering everything from fermentation and stabilization to business strategy, equipment, and scaling a cidery. The discussion bridges the gap between hobby cider making and commercial production, offering practical insights grounded in real experience. Panelists Marcus Robert – Tieton Cider Works, Washington Tim Godfrey – Golden State Cider, California Eleanor Leger – Eden Specialty Cider, Vermont Brent Myles – Sly Clyde Cider, Virginia Ben Calvi – Vermont Cider Co, Vermont Moderated by Cider Chat MC Ria Windcaller 00:00 Cider Choices Matter 01:27 Episode Setup 03:02 Ciderville Event News 05:41 Support The Podcast 06:31 Patron Shoutouts 10:34 Panel Introductions 14:34 Defining Cider 15:32 Lessons Learned 18:55 Residual Sugar Safety 23:51 Contract Vs Taproom 27:13 Ice Cider Deep Dive 33:11 Settling Juice Tips 34:40 Solids and Enzymes 35:06 Plastic Fermenters Tips 36:41 Profitability and Distribution 40:54 Learn on Someone Else 41:27 Core Ciders Strategy 45:43 Tasting Room Location 49:43 Funding and Crowdfunding 52:07 Essential Lab Gear 53:54 Filtration and Hopbacks 58:05 Fermentation Temperature Control 01:01:03 Wrap Up and Sign Off Find the full show notes for Episode 497 at CiderChat.com Direct Link at:https://ciderchat.com/podcast/497-beginner-cider-makers-qa/ Listen to wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's coming next in Ciderville. Prefer to watch? Find Cider Chat on YouTube for more cider stories, orchard adventures, and global cider culture. 💛 Enjoy cider? Help keep #ciderGoingUP - by supporting Cider Chat. Your support helps keep the podcast on the air and makes it possible to share more conversations like this one.