Eden Specialty Ciders supports the working landscape of Vermont through partnerships with Vermont orchards growing cider specific apples. They make a variety of cider styles, from dry to sweet; all Vermont grown and produced in our cidery in Newport, VT.

Eden was founded in 2007 by Eleanor and Albert Leger after a visit to Montreal, where they tasted Ice Cider for the first time. Upon this revelation, they embarked on a project to make Vermont Ice Cider, purchasing an abandoned dairy farm in West Charleston and eventually planting a holistically managed orchard. From there, Eden branched out to dry sparkling ciders in 2012 and eventually, no sugar added canned ciders in 2020. Eleanor has become a leading authority on ice cider production, and Eden is widely considered the pre-eminent ice cider in the USA, if not globally.

In 2023, Eden Ciders merged with Shelburne Vineyard; they now offer a cider tasting experience in the Shelburne Vineyard tasting room, as well as pairing Vermont ciders with Vermont wines in sales outside of Vermont. They believe to grow the wine and cider industry to viability and long-term sustainability; education and local engagement are crucial. Bringing Vermont ciders (and wines) to folks accessibly in their grocery shopping experience is one of the best ways to engage. Their guiding philosophy in business is support local growers and makers, highlight Vermont fruit quality, and educating consumers.

Some of their biggest challenges as a small producer is that small producers are struggling in the US. There is ample messaging in the media of the rise of NA beverages and younger folks aren’t drinking as much. Cannabis is a real competitor. Ultimately, it is difficult and expensive to make agricultural products in this country, with little to no systemic support, which is in stark contrast to European wineries. To say nothing of climate change and chaotic, unpredictable growing seasons that dictate the business. However, Eden enjoys collaborating with other makers, saying that we have an incredible community of small cider producers in Vermont. It’s easy to drink local here. “In the agricultural sector, it’s pretty much nothing but surprises. A constant pleasant surprise is the resilience and resourcefulness of growers!”

Eden ciders are made just like wine—harvested once a year in the fall, pressed at peak ripeness, fermented slowly, and aged before bottling or canning. They don’t add any sugar or preservatives, and we want our products to change slightly year after year to reflect the ‘vintage’ of the apples. They feature many traditional French and English cider variety apples in their ciders, as well as American Heirloom varieties. These aren’t necessarily the apples that you find in the grocery store, just like you don’t find wines made from Thompson Seedless grapes. Eden’s ciders are elevated and elegant, to be enjoyed just like wine. Informed by each individual harvest, Eden Ciders is fortunate to grow and have access to excellent quality apples. Once they know what they are working with after a given harvest, the team works together to conceptualize ideas, and their incredibly talented production team executes!

Eden Ciders care a lot about apples and the folks that grow them, and they passionate about bringing quality cider to the people. They recommend consuming all of their products with a slight chill. It’s best practice to store the bottles upright and chill completely before opening and serving. Drink out of a wine glass!