An interview with Nancy Bishop of Alpenfire Cider!
Last month, to celebrate Women's History Month and highlight members of the group who work within the cider industry, we interviewed leading women making waves as makers and contributors in the cider industry. Unfortunately, the TCE admins aren’t the best at counting weeks (read Ryan isn’t the best at counting), and we forgot to run one of our favorite cideries and cider makers, Nancy Bishop of Alpenfire! On the plus side, Nancy and Alpenfire get to finish off Women’s History Month and kick off our new series of interviews for April, featuring small cideries throughout the country. Read Erica’s interview with Nancy below!
-Ryan Gravell
Question: Tell us about yourself and your role in cider.
Nancy Bishop: Cider caught my attention in the early seventies while travelling in BC, at that time cider wasn't even available in the US, at least not here on the West Coast. The idea of making or importing cider was always in the back of my mind but it took until 2003 for us to and make a trip to Europe to learn more about it. I was totally entranced by what we saw and Alpenfire (originally Wildfire) cider was modeled on the small farm cideries of the UK and France. The idea of recreating that lifestyle and that beverage has captivated me ever since.
Q: What do you enjoy most about cider and/or the cider industry?
NB: I love the challenge that has come with making cider. I love the way the cider industry as a whole has pushed the understanding and quality of ciders forward. It is the growth of the orchard based segment that I personally find the most promising and encouraging for the industry as a whole. Watching what cider makers are doing with wild ferments and keeves is fascinating and often (not always) delicious!
Q: Do you have a favorite moment in your cider adventures and what was the first cider that really knocked your socks off?
NB: Back in 2003, thinking I had a pretty good idea what to expect in a cider, we stopped at a bottle shop in Leominster UK. We packed a dozen or so bottles back to our hotel and started tasting. I was totally unprepared for the bitter, tannic and bone dry ciders from the English countryside. I remember thinking "OMG, I don't LIKE cider"! It was a so shocking , those flavors were nothing like anything I had experienced & the idea that an apple could taste like that just blew me away. It took awhile to realize that these were the real thing, that complexity and depth were just another part of the cider equation.
Q: What is your current favorite apple for cidermaking and why do you love it?
NB: Right now I am enjoying a glass of single varietal Cortland. Our grandson was named after this apple last year and I have to say it could be my favorite, today at least! The just fermented juice of the Cortland has all the aroma and body of a sauvignon blanc, with age it changed & matured but remained one wonderful drink. I love Montana CiderWorks Macintosh with it's lovely lingering aftertaste and the sense of terroir. You can't beat a well made Kingston Black and in spite of the controversy surrounding Foxwhelp, it is definitely one of my favorites.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
NB: Right now there is so much uncertainty in the world and the realization that time with friends and family has to be postponed makes it all the more appreciated and missed. Like so many others we are hanging on by a thread at this point trying to allocate funds where they can accomplish the most. If anyone is interested in trying a traditional style, estate grown, northwest cider just check out our on line store at alpenfirecider.com (RG; They’re currently running great shipping deals! Get free shipping on 6+ bottles, 50% off shipping 3+ bottles, or orchard pick up 7 days a week with email confirmation)! Thank you Cider Exchange!
Alpenfire Cider
220 Pocket Lane
Port Townsend, WA 98368