Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.
Decorah, IA
Type: Orchard
Produces: Ciders
Location: Iowa City, IA
Miles from Coop: 6.5
You’d think that Wilson’s Orchard, an 80-acre farm along Rapid Creek in Iowa City, that first opened in 1985, would be content with its 120 varieties of endlessly edible apples suitable for a full range of palates. They have a robust pick-your-own apple business at the farm, where they also make apple cider (which you can get in slushy form!), apple turnovers, and apple cider donuts, and they grow pumpkins. What more could you ask for?
Enter Paul Rasch, a fourth generation orchardist, and Sarah Goering, who bought the orchard from Joyce and Robert “Chug” Wilson in 2009. With all this raw material in place, why not expand into hard cider, made from 100% apple juice? They bottled their first batch of hard cider—called Goldfinch—in 2015. Today, they produce 4 different hard ciders, and use the leftovers from the cidermaking process (apple skins and bits known as “pomace”) to feed the heritage pigs and sheep raised on their farm.
Rapid Creek Cidery, a year-round event and cider-tasting space built from a 100-year-old barn, owned by their daughter Katie Goering, is set to open in 2017. We can’t wait!
Wilson’s family-friendly, nonalcoholic apple cider will be in our refrigerators through the New Year. It has been an awesome year for growing apples—and eating them. Our stores carry the tastiest varieties as they ripen!
You’ll find these flavors of Wilson’s Hard Cider in shareable 4-packs: the “slightly sweet” Goldfinch; the “marriage of cider and hops” called Hoppleseed; Spiced Up, a cider enlivened with mulling spices; and the brand new Cherry Crush, which features a happy burst o f Wilson’s tart cherries.
We also carry Wilson’s Cider vinegar so you can acidify your cooking with local flavor too!
Checkout these great products from Wilson's Orchard
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.
Decorah, IA
You realize what you’re taking care of right now is going to provide a year’s worth of produce.
Coggon, IA
“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”
Cannon Falls, MN
This is the most flavorful popcorn we’ve tasted – and its hulls explode so they don’t get stuck in your teeth.
Shellsburg, IA
Hue Hill crafts farm grown vegetables into vibrant, live cultured, powerfully probiotic fermented foods.
Iowa City, IA
Joanna's tonic syrups are handcrafted in small batches, and made with natural ingredients to create the perfect additions to both cocktails and mocktails.
Iowa City, IA
"By providing a loving and relaxing environment for our cows we are able to get remarkably consistent full-flavored raw milk."
Thorp, WI
They have a robust pick-your-own apple business at the farm, where they also make apple cider, apple turnovers, and apple cider donuts, and they grow pumpkins. What more could you ask for?
Iowa City, IA