Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/146156
Sold out becoming a winemaker. But while those wine grapes were growing, he needed something else to do, and the idea of making and marketing hard cider seemed like a good fit. "It was also more immediate," he said. "We had the apples, and we have a cider mill. "I always liked hard cider," he said, admitting that he first tried the lowalcohol beverage when he was 14. photo courtesy of tim dressel Last year Tim made hard cider for the first time. "I produced 200 cases in 2012 and sold out in three months," he said. A bill currently in the New York State legislature would legalize sale of hard cider through farm markets, which would greatly help his marketing, he said. Last year, he rented a storefront to use as a tasting room and sales facility. While Tim sees hard cider as "a rescue for bad apples," he wants to move to a Multifaceted higher plane. There is a growing interest "My cider stuff isn't a full-time job yet," in artisan hard ciders, which are showing he said. So meanwhile, he's working with up along with draft beer in sports bars and his dad, helping out with the postharvest other establishments. apple business. The Dressels sell apples Tim is moving toward an orchard conboth retail, at their farm market, and taining some of the traditional varieties wholesale. The 300-acre farm includes English and French farmers grow espestorage, a packing house, a you-pick opercially to make hard cider. These varieties ation for apples and strawberries, a farm have been chosen for certain qualities market, and a cider pressing operation and are used in blending ciders for differTim Dressel's first product was a dry cider carrying his Kettleborough they use to make their own cider and as a ent tastes. These qualities are called Cider House label. With more diverse apples coming, he will develop service for others. sweet, sharp, and bitter, determined by Last year, Tim's sister Sarah, 24, came new blends. their acid and tannin levels. home with a degree in agricultural sciAs a starting place, Tim convinced his ence from Cornell University and a keen interest in the production side of orcharding. grandfather not to push out a block of Northern Spies. "Now I get all the Spies on the Now, she and Rod Sr. handle most of the orchard operations, the farm market and youfarm," he said. "I also use Empires and McIntosh." pick, while Tim and Rod Jr. handle the storage, packing, and sales operation. They He planted a new block of 115 Northern Spy trees on Geneva 11 rootstock and an 8recently built state-of-the-art storages to consolidate operations that had formerly been by 14-foot spacing. And to cap things off, two years ago he made a special deal with Corscattered. nell University in which he got some cider varieties, free. Your Solution To Farm Labor Housing. . . We offer a variety of floor plans that are customized to meet your needs. New Holland Orchard / Vineyard TRACTOR TD4040F • 85 HP 4WD New, Starting at $29,950 ONE ONLY–CASH PRICE LARGEST BUILDER OF MANUFACTURED HOMES BEST INDUSTRY WARRANTY AVAILABLE Precision-built housing affordably priced and designed to provide strength and longevity, while offering comfortable amenities for a grower's work force. Ask for Silvestre Lozano . . . Serving Central Washington Growers For over 23 Years! Clayton Homes offers the Lowest Factory Direct Pricing . . . and won't be out priced ! Emails to: joseph.sarne@claytonhomes.com 509-452-9228 ® 40 AUGUST 2013 GOOD FRUIT GROWER 2010 Rudkin Road Union Gap, WA 98903 www.claytonyakimavalley.com www.goodfruit.com