A groundbreaking event is set to take place at Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York's pioneering farm cidery. The Wild Cider Cup: The Conservancy Competition will occur on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from noon to 3 p.m., at Nine Pin’s Tasting Room in Albany. This inaugural event showcases three distinct limited-edition ciders crafted from wild apples harvested from conserved lands across the Capital Region. Collaborating with three regional land conservancy organizations, this venture aims to celebrate local conservation efforts and highlight the unique flavors of these preserved landscapes.

An Exciting Collaboration for Conservation and Flavor

In a vibrant autumn last year, volunteers from the Columbia Land Conservancy, Hudson Taconic Lands, and Saratoga PLAN gathered apples from their protected properties. These apples, once overlooked or forgotten, were transformed into exclusive ciders by Nine Pin Ciderworks. Each cider reflects the biodiversity and flavor profiles of its origin landscape. Alejandro del Peral, founder and cidermaker at Nine Pin Ciderworks, emphasized that this partnership embodies the true essence of New York's cider terroir. Attendees at the Wild Cider Cup will participate in a blind tasting, voting for their favorite cider, which determines the winner of the first-place prize. Proceeds from cider sales will be donated to each conservancy, with an additional contribution for the winning organization.

Representatives from the conservancies expressed gratitude towards Nine Pin and their volunteers for making this event possible. Heidi K. Bock of the Columbia Land Conservancy highlighted the deliciousness of wild apples, while Annie Jacobs of Hudson Taconic Lands praised the community spirit fostered through apple gathering. Sarah Walsh of Saratoga PLAN noted that wild apples symbolize the rich farming history of New York State.

This public event offers a rare opportunity to savor hyper-local, sustainably produced ciders while supporting the preservation of New York's natural lands. Tickets are available online via Nine Pin’s Eventbrite page.

Cider enthusiasts can enjoy Nine Pin’s offerings daily at their Tasting Room in Albany's eclectic Warehouse District, from retailers across New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and at various bars and restaurants. Since November 2024, Nine Pin's online store has served New York residents due to new legislation.

For further details about Nine Pin, visit www.ninepincider.com.

The Wild Cider Cup exemplifies how collaboration between businesses and conservation groups can create mutually beneficial outcomes. It not only promotes awareness of local biodiversity but also supports sustainable agriculture and land preservation. Such events inspire communities to value their natural resources and encourage more people to engage actively in conservation efforts. Through initiatives like this, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where nature thrives alongside human innovation.