432: Ancha Gergely's Abaliget Garden Projects | Hungarian Cider Maker

432: Ancha Gergely's Abaliget Garden Projects | Hungarian Cider Maker

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist November 6, 2024 Duration: 56:30

Bringing Cider to Hungary: The Story of Abaliget Garden Projects

In this episode of Cider Chat, we learn about the southwest Hungary, where Ancha Gergely is building Abaliget Garden Projects, her small-scale cidery focused on Hungarian apples, pears, and centuries-old varieties. Ancha's journey began in England, where she developed a love for cider. For Hungary it appears that there is little known about cider or cider making, prompting her to craft her own.

Cider Chat Episode 432 Ancha of Abiliget Orchard Projects feature
Ancha Gergely

With a deep passion for apples and heritage varieties, Ancha started her orchard in 2018 by grafting local and English varieties onto Hungarian rootstock. Her husband's contribution of English cider apple graft wood expanded the orchard significantly, leading to her current collection of 600 apple and pear varieties.

Ciders at Abaliget Orchard Projects

Ancha crafts unique Hungarian ciders that highlight the region's apple diversity. Some of her featured ciders include:

  • Fishti – A smoky cider aged in a Speyside whiskey barrel, offering mellow whiskey notes balanced with local apples.
  • Birs is the Hungarian work for Quince – This is a 100% quince cider with a delicate sweetness
Cider Chat Episode 432 Quince Cider Abiliget Orchard Projects
Abaliget Garden's Quince Cider
Cider Chat Episode 432 - Birs Abiliget Orchard Projects
Back label of Birs – Quince

Apple Varieties at Abaliget Garden

Abaliget Garden includes a mix of English, Hungarian, and other European varieties. Here are a few notable apples in her collection:

  • Kanizsai – A classic Hungarian apple with a sweet profile
  • Húsvéti Rozmaring – Known for its rosemary scent, this apple can keep until Easter
  • Various Perry Pears – 20 different types from the UK, bringing unique flavor profiles for perry production

Cider Making Techniques at Abaliget

Ancha's approach to cider-making combines traditional fermentation methods with her unique orchard composition, balancing Hungarian and English influences. In addition to cider, her nursery serves as a source for new Hungarian cider makers, offering heritage and cider-specific apple trees.

Contact Info for Abaliget Garden Projects

Mentions in the 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: 100

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