October is recognized as National Apple Month and Oregon is among the leaders in fine apple production. Apples are a member of the rose family of plants and the blossoms are much like wild-rose blossoms. Oregon produces over 21 commercial apple varieties, with Fuji and Gala leading the state’s production. The state’s rainfall and mild climate make it a prime location for apple orchards. The most orchards can be found in Oregon’s northwestern region near and around Portland. In 2023 Oregon produced an estimated 157 million pounds of apples.
Because October is so important to cideries and apple orchards. We wanted to take some time to appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to take those apples and make some of the best cider in the US with them.
For three days we will pack our bottle shop with different cideries so they can show YOU their hard work. Do you have a favorite cider? Perhaps they will be here. Looking to expand your apple and cider knowledge or maybe you want to find a new favorite cider? Come on down and join us for a free tasting spanning three days and see for yourself why Oregon is the leader in fine apples and amazing cider!
History of the Apple
In 1847, Henderson Lewelling brought more than 700 one year old grafted fruit trees from Iowa to Oregon by ox-team along with his wife and 8 children. Lewelling, known for promoting the fruit industry in Iowa, Oregon, and California arrived with 350 fruit trees that had survived the long journey. By 1850, their first crop produced 100 apples. It was the time of the Gold Rush in California, and when ‘they rushed to San Francisco with the apple crop, prospectors were so hungry for fresh fruit that he sold them for $5 each. They used the money to build more orchards.’
In 1854, Nathaniel Coe arrived in the Hood River Valley where he cleared some land and harvested his first crop of apples in 1859. Today, the Hood River Valley is one of the major growers of apples. The fertile soils found at the base of Mt. Hood and rarified, glacier-fed water sources create a unique growing environment.
Popular October Apple Varieties:
Fuji: Very sweet with a firm, crisp texture, typically reaching peak harvest in late October.
Cosmic Crisp: A balanced, juicy red apple harvested in mid-October that excels in storage and baking.
Granny Smith & Pink Lady: Late-season tart and crisp favorites that mature from October through December.
OCTOBER 13th
Incline – Apple crisp, Classic dry, Imperial mango, Imperial huckleberry
Alchemy Cider – Desolation dry, Forbidden fields, Ginger cult leader
Ace Cider – Joker dry, Pumpkin, Pineapple, Imperial peach
RAW Cider – Perry, Cat La Roux, Frequin rouge, Airlie Red
Bend Cider – Apple cinnamon, Blackberry cardamom
OCTOBER 14th
Starfall – Hazy honeycrisp, Spiced pineapple
Schilling – Chaider, Spiced Apple Pie
Bull Run – Barrel Aged Jonagold, Cherry blush
Seven Seeds – Gwrach scrumpy, Llyn Fawr, Caledfwich
Bauman’s – Authentic, Peach bellini, Peach raspberry, Obsidian blackberry
Yonder – Cashmere, Dry, Palisades
Garden Path - ?????
OCTOBER 15th
Stray – Title track, Lose this number, Gold past life
Finnriver – Dry, Forest ginger, Black currant
Mahalo – Papaya sunrise, Mahalo apple
PDX Cider – True brut, Pumpkin spice, Huckleberry lemonade, Pear lychee