457: Snow Capped Cider: A Family Legacy at 7,000 Feet | CO

457: Snow Capped Cider: A Family Legacy at 7,000 Feet | CO

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist April 30, 2025 Duration: 1:01:08
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At the base of Colorado's Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-top mountain, five generations of fruit growers have worked the land. Today, Snow Capped Cider carries on that legacy, crafting estate-grown ciders from fruit nurtured at elevations between 6,130 and 7,000 feet. The high desert sun, volcanic soil, and pure snowmelt water combine to create vibrant apples and distinctive ciders.

From Hobby to Heritage

What began as a small experiment soon blossomed into a full-fledged cidery. Sparked by a disappointing store-bought cider, Kari Williams and her family leaned into their winemaking background and deep orchard knowledge to create cider reflective of their exceptional terroir.

Kari Williams

Cider Making at High Elevation

At Snow Capped Cider:

  • Only estate-grown fruit is used.
  • Over 100 acres are dedicated to cider-specific apple varieties.
  • The extreme UV exposure at high elevation leads to apples with higher sugars, acids, and tannins, setting the stage for rich, complex ciders.

Managing a shorter growing season, spring frost risks, and labor-intensive frost protection methods has shaped their unique approach to farming and fermenting.

A Range of Styles

Snow Capped produces:

  • 16 canned ciders distributed across four states.
  • 54 distinct bottled ciders, from single varietals like Kingston Black and Harrison to blends featured in the Elevation Series.
  • Botanical infusions and experimental ferments, all handled with precision and passion.

Their Gold Rush cider, a blend of French and English apples, showcases the vibrant flavors that their terroir imparts — a naturally complex, award-winning cider approachable for all levels of cider drinkers.

Where to Find Snow Capped Cider

Ciders are available via:

  • Retail in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and California
  • Online at VinoShipper
  • Their exclusive cider club offering small-batch, estate ciders.

Contact Info for Snow Capped Cider

Website: https://snowcappedcider.com

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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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