Seattle Cider Releases Its New 2016 Harvest Series

Seattle Cider Company is set to launch the 2016 vintage of its Harvest Series of ciders that features distinct flavors of Washington-grown fruit. The Harvest Series began four years ago and has now grown into five varietals. The Washington Heirloom, Gravenstein Rosé, Perry and City Fruit make their return with one new edition for this year, Winesap Rosé.

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 6 all five varietals in the 2016 Harvest Series will be released at The Woods tasting room in the new attractive 500 mL bottles, as well as on tap with flights, and full pours. From 1:00 to 7:00pm enjoy 10-ounce pours of Heirloom, Gravenstein Rosé, Perry, City Fruit and Winesap Rosé for $8, or taste all five with the Harvest Series Cider Flight, including five 3-oz taster pours for $14. Additional specialty cider and beer from Two Beers Brewing will also be on tap throughout the day.

“Every year this series offers something new and that’s part of the reason we love it,” said Scott Katsma, head cidermaker at Seattle Cider Company in a news release. “Between our continued partnership with City Fruit to our growing relationships with Washington orchardists, it highlights everything we love about the Northwest cider industry.”

Pressed during harvest in the fall of 2016, all five ciders have been aged for six months before being bottled this spring. Each featuring its own unique and vibrant flavor profile, bottles are available in limited quantities through the tasting room and select local bottle shops.

Here are descriptions of each of the five varietals provided by Seattle Cider Company.

Washington Heirloom 2016 (6.5% ABV, 1.25 Brix) – The 2016 Heirloom harvest brought us slightly tannic Cortlands, tart Newtown Pippins and fragrant Winesaps, creating this elegant, modern cider. The flagship of our Harvest Series, this year’s offering is tropical and bursting with notes of citrus.

Gravenstein Rosé 2016 (6.9% ABV, 0.75 Brix) – Early season Gravenstein apples are aged in Mourvédre red wine barrels to create one of our favorite ciders of the harvest. A bouquet of fruity, berry-like aromas shines through in this floral, citrus forward cider.

Winesap Rosé 2016 (6.0% ABV, 1 Brix) – One of Washington’s oldest fruits is showcased in this single-varietal beauty. Aged in Syrah red wine barrels, these small Naches Valley apples are both aromatic and tart, offering a beautiful full-bodied cider with flavors of grapefruit, lemongrass and cedar.

Perry 2016 (5.8% ABV, 2 Brix) – Early and late season pears are cold-fermented, then aged through the winter to foster the delicate floral, fruity character of this cider. Both soft and complex, an earthy aroma and woody funk give way to citrus and a mellow pear sweetness.

City Fruit 2016 (6.3% ABV, 0.5 Brix) – This delicious cider is made in collaboration with City Fruit, a local non-profit dedicated to feeding thousands of local Seattle families. This tart, herbaceous cider features more than 40 varieties of local apples collected from Seattle area trees by City Fruit. Proceeds go directly to City Fruit to support their annual harvest!

The Woods
4660 Ohio Ave S
Seattle, WA