Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/146156
Building on hard cider New York orchardist wants to make high-value product from lower-value apples. by Richard Lehnert T ravelers to Europe often notice how little Eurothat a safe way to do it. For U.S. growers, hard cider can peans waste compared to Americans. Could make a market for dropped apples, something that has reducing waste be a key to greater prosperity? become a hot issue for sweet cider makers. In some situThey're testing that theory in ations, such as you-pick marketing, a third New York's Hudson River Valley of the apples can end up on the ground in north of New York City. A growing number the picking process. Must these be of apple growers there are making, botwasted? tling, and selling hard cider, much like the Tim Dressel is a young grower who's English and the French have been doing bought into the greater-prosperity-withfor centuries. hard-cider theory. Just 28 years old and a They're not salvaging cores and peelgraduate of Cornell University, six years ings, like a European processor might do ago he came back to Dressel Farms in New —Tim Dressel to ferment and distill fruit for brandy. But Paltz, New York, to join his grandfather they are turning low-value, frost-damaged, scab-marred, and father, Rod Dressel Sr. and Jr. or otherwise less desirable fruit into a high-value prod"I like the business side of things," he said. "I like the uct—much more valuable than mere apple juice. growing side, too, but I'm more interested in marketing." The Europeans harvest cider apples by shaking them Wanting to create his own niche in the business, he onto the ground, and the fermentation process makes planted three acres of wine grapes with the intention of "We had the apples, and we have a cider mill." ... ANTONIO CARRARO introduces the New TGF 9800 S 75 PTO, 4WD with all the standard features Priced at . . . $ 35,800 JONA 5500 TRX 7800 Antonio Carraro Features: - ABERDEEN CHEHALIS ELLENSBURG LYNDEN OKANOGAN POULSBO OLYMPIA QUINCY SUMNER Your Orchard Specialists . . . www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER AUGUST 2013 39 photo courtesy of tim dressel A Dressel Farms crew worked with Tim Dressel to move 60 French and English cider apple varieties from Cornell University's Hudson Valley Laboratory to a new orchard Tim is establishing to bring special apples into his hard cider.