427: Under 30 Startup Ingenuity | Heartland Cideworks, OR

427: Under 30 Startup Ingenuity | Heartland Cideworks, OR

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist October 2, 2024 Duration: 53:47

Collaboration Meets Ingenuity at Heartland Ciderworks

This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the intersection of entrepreneurship and craft cider-making. In Episode 427 of Cider Chat, Eliseo Bell-Uribe shares his story as a young entrepreneur and how and why he founded Heartland Ciderworks.

Cider Chat 427 Eliseo with Heartland cider in hand

Practical Advice for Cider Startups: Learning to Collaborate

Starting a cidery from scratch is no easy task. The Eliseo shares practical advice on how to navigate the hurdles of zoning issues, sourcing equipment, and finding the right partnerships. By collaborating with a local winery, Heartland was able to sidestep some of the common challenges faced by new cideries, such as acquiring expensive equipment and navigating complex regulations.

For budding cider makers, this episode offers a blueprint for how to creatively solve problems and make the most of available resources. Whether it's building your own bottling setup or finding a winery willing to do custom crush, the key takeaway is to stay flexible and open to collaboration.

A Closer Look at Heartland's Ciders

Heartland Ciderworks may be a young company, but their lineup of ciders is anything but ordinary. Here's a quick look at the ciders discussed in the episode:

Cider Chat Ep: 427 Heartland signature waxed cap
  • Avalon
    • Description: Heartland's flagship cider that combines Foxwhelp, Golden Russet, Yarlington Mill, and Dabinett apples.
    • ABV: 7.7%
    • Notes: Features a beautiful orange hue with a balance of tannins and acidity.
  • Little Apple
    • Description: A low-alcohol cider kin made with rehydrated pomace and back-sweetened with Golden Russet and Foxwhelp.
    • ABV: 3.65%
    • Notes: Easy-drinking with a light and refreshing profile.
  • Cooper
    • Description: A bourbon barrel-aged cider made primarily from Sweet Alford apples.
    • ABV: 6.4%
    • Notes: Rich with subtle bourbon notes, this cider is a limited-edition favorite, but more Cooper is in the cue!
  • Heart of the Valley
    • Description: A community-foraged cider made with apples gathered from the Salem area, benefiting the local Boys and Girls Club.
    • ABV: 5.75%
    • Notes: A modern cider with a sweeter profile and a beautiful can design.
  • Olive Branch
    • Description: A Newtown Pippin cider aged on olive leaves, offering a unique bitterness similar to hops.
    • Notes: A one-of-a-kind cider with complex aromas and a distinctive flavor profile.
  • Rosé Cider (Upcoming Release)
    • Description: A co-ferment of red-fleshed apples with Pinot Noir grape skins, lightly oaked for added tannin.
Cider Chat Ep 427 Heartland Ciderworks family photo (1)

Contact for Heartland Ciderworks

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Mentions in this Cider Chat


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

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