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The Cider Farm Orchard Tour
Join us for an outdoor, safe, physically distanced tour of The Cider Farm Orchard!
Tour The Cider Farm orchard to see the many apple trees that are used to make our ciders and apple brandy. Learn how we manage them organically and enhance the natural environment of our 166 acre farm in Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless region. You’ll have an opportunity to taste two different ciders made from the orchard’s apples. The tour will be about one hour and then you are welcome to hike around our orchard, woodlands and prairie.
Make it a picnic! Bring a picnic blanket and pre-order a 3-item cheese and charcuterie box and cider to enjoy on the land. After you sign up for the tour, we will email you about ordering a cheese and charcuterie box to enjoy on the land or to take with you.
A few items to note about the tour:
- Be prepared to walk a half of a mile or more. The terrain is varied so be prepared for uneven ground, stones and possibly mud.
- Wear good, sturdy footwear. No open toed shoes.
- We encourage you to wear long pants and socks.
- All tour participants must be 21 years or older.
- We suggest you bring a water bottle and sun protection. Dress for the weather.
- Arrival and parking – Follow the long driveway past the house, and watch for parking signs. We meet near the farm building.
- RAIN OR SHINE DATE: If the forecast is for rain or excessive heat on the Saturday of your tour, and the next day, Sunday, is better, the tour will be held that Sunday. You will be notified by email at least 2 days in advance.
- Cell phone reception is limited.
- Please note this is NOT a typical orchard that is open to the public. Our apples are cider apples and not the apples sold for eating, baking, etc.
- Porta-potty on site.
- No picnic tables, but plenty of ground for you to spread a picnic blanket or set up lawn chairs.
- No pets allowed. (But we have one!)
- No smoking.
SAFETY MEASURES
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is important to keep everyone’s safety as a top priority. We will request that all tour guests make sure to maintain at least 6 feet from other tour guests that are not part of their family. Face coverings are suggested.
More about the tour!
Deirdre Birmingham is co-owner and manager of The Cider Farm. She started the orchard by taking a grafting class with her husband, John Biondi, in 2003 to learn how to make the tannic cider varieties they felt important to the quality ciders they envisioned. She has learned by trial and error how to grow organically these English and French cider varieties in our Midwest climate. Caroline Kerr, orchard employee and event coordinator, will join Deirdre in the tour. Caroline is also a seasoned Wisconsin Conservation Corps worker having recruited and managed teams to execute conservation projects in rugged terrains. She was also the Grow La Crosse Garden Educator.
Registration
$15 per person for the tour
$25 for the optional cheese picnic
Private Tours
Interested in bringing a large group for an organic orchard tour? Reach out, we’re happy to set up a time for your group to visit. Email deirdre@theciderfarm.com for details.
