Dec 30, 2015
Wooden barrels are so 2014. What is old is new again as Castle
Hill Cider has brought to the states an ancient fermenting vessel
that was used for over 7000 years. Qvevri or Kvevri as it is called
on this Virginia estate is best known to winemakers in the Georgia
Republic. [caption id="attachment_308" align="alignnone"
width="178"]
Kvevri upon arrival from Georgia Republic[/caption]
Where is the Georgia Republic? It is in Europe and lies to the
south of Russia and to the north of Turkey.The Georgia Republic has
a sprawling cave monastery from the 12th century called Vardzia and
a wine growing region of Kakheti. Find out more about Georgia's Qvevri traditional winemaking.
In this episode I chat with Cellar Master Geoff Robinson of Castle
Hill Cider. Stuart Madany is the Cidermaker at Castle Hill Cider.
[caption id="attachment_310" align="alignnone" width="300"]
l to r - Geoff
Robinson and Stuart Madany[/caption] Castle Hill Cider imported 9
kvevris, with only one breaking in transit. Kvevri range in
size from 250 gallons to 60 and 75 gallons and are buried in the
ground with only the opening accessible via a small chimney.
[caption id="attachment_314" align="alignnone" width="178"]
Placing the
Kvevri[/caption] Castle Hill Cider 6065 Turkey Sag
Road Keswick, Virginia USA 22947 phone:
434-296-0047 email: info@castlehillcider.com
website: castlehillcider.com Twitter: @castlehillcider [caption id="attachment_309"
align="alignnone" width="178"]
Ready - Set
-Kvevri![/caption] Via the Castle Hill Cider website you can order
the Levity Cider that was made in the kvevri. [caption
id="attachment_311" align="alignnone" width="178"]
Levity Cider with shellfish[/caption] Find out more about the
Albemarle Pippin Apple via Thomas Jefferson
Monticello Link to Cider Guide and head to Virginia and
follow the Cider Trail? The Cider Swag Contest is
open till January 16, 2016. Find the official rules on this page
Cider Swag Contest