ALBANY, N.Y. — Nine Pin Cider Works, New York’s first farm cidery, has announced it will plant and develop an urban orchard in Albany’s Washington Park, among the first of its kind in a major U.S. city. The urban orchard is being organized in partnership with the City of Albany, the Washington Park Conservancy, and Samascott Orchards.
The trees will be provided by Kinderhook N.Y.–based Samascott Orchards. The orchard will be comprised of eight unique apple varieties that flourish in New York State. This region’s cold winters and moderate humid summers makes for ideal apple growing conditions. Apples are a member of the rose family of plants. A standard-size apple tree starts bearing fruit eight to ten years after it is planted. A dwarf tree starts bearing fruit in three to five years.
The orchard will aim to educate the community about New York’s remarkable and historically coveted apple crop. Apples have been a pivotal crop in our state since colonial times with hard apple cider being a crucial staple. Today, New York is the second largest apple producer in the United States but more importantly, it is home to the nation’s most diverse apple crop, making New York the destination for outstanding craft hard cider.
“Nine Pin prides itself on our commitment to New York agriculture, so the addition of the urban orchard right here in Albany literally puts roots into our home city. It doesn’t get more local than this. We are very excited to start using apples grown right here in Albany in our cider,” said Alejandro del Peral, Nine Pin’s co-founder and cider maker.
The apples picked from these trees will eventually be pressed made by the Albany-based cidery.
On Sunday, April 15 at 10 a.m. there will be a planting ceremony to celebrate the start of the urban orchard project in Washington Park. Following the ceremony, Nine Pin will be hosting an after party at 11 a.m. in the Nine Pin tasting room at 929 Broadway in Albany. All who attend the planting ceremony will receive a free cider voucher, redeemable at the after party.
To learn more information about this urban orchard project and to learn where Nine Pin products can be found, visit ninepincider.com.
About Nine Pin Cider Works:
Nine Pin Cider Works is New York’s first farm cidery. Founded in 2013 and based in New York’s capital city, Albany, Nine Pin cider products can be found in hundreds of bars, restaurants, and retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Nine Pin produces all ciders, sourced from Capital Region and Hudson Valley apples, in its 17,000 sq. ft. cidery facility and tasting room in Albany’s Warehouse District. Be Revolutionary®, Consider The Apple®, and Drink New York Apples®. www.ninepincider.com.