Barrel Room reserves

This is a limited single batch series that highlights single varietal expressions and rare apple blends. The "Barrel Room Reserve Series" is a new label from Wildcraft that shows the incredible integrity of dry-cropped wild apples and wild fermentation standing up to years of aging in barrels without the use of a single preservative. Just apples, time and patience.

WILD SEEDED CRAB APPLE - 1428 BOTTLES - PACKAGED ON 02/09/21

THIS CIDER IS TRANSFORMED SOLELY BY WILD YEAST, WILD SEEDED APPLES AND A LOVE FOR WILD PLACES. AROMAS OF SCOTCH AND RED HOTS, DRINKS LIKE A SHARP LEMON BLACK TEA WITH A MOUTH GRIPPING FINISH. 

Insight into a wild seeded apple. Apples do not sprout from seed true to their genetic parent but are rather so recessive that an apple seed will sometimes sprout as a rose plant (apples come from the rose). A wild seeded crab apple tree is a unique and rare finding even in areas where wild apple forests are prevalent. A crab apple is defined differently than a common apple in that not only are there physical differences in appearance yet also differences in make up of its fruit. This often elongated small fruit is full of pectin, acidity and sugar making these fruits suitable for making jam, adding to other berries to make preserves more stable and have been a special touch to many of our flagship line.

ROME BLUSH - 2796 BOTTLES - PACKAGED ON 01/21/21

SINGLE VARIETAL ROME BEAUTY AGED IN FRESHLY EMPTIED, SMALL LOT WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR BARRELS. SPARKLES WITH BRANDIED CHERRY AROMAS. FINISHES WITH SOFT HONEYSUCKLE HYDROSOL.

Rome Beauty is an heirloom apple variety initially found on a roadside in Ohio as a wild seeded apple in 1840. This roadside fling managed to be grafted into a largely planted crop by the early 1900’s notably by the Martinelli’s. Rome Beauty is one of the several varieties we harvest from abandoned orchards of that era. This apple boasts a deliciously sharp texture, soft sweetness and an especially bright aroma. When aged in wood this crop becomes soft, delicate and expressive.

TOKYO ROSE - 2596 BOTTLES - PACKAGED ON 02/03/21

EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF NEUTRAL BARREL AGING ALLOWS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS UNIQUE APPLE TO EVOLVE. AROMAS OF RIPE PERSIMMON WITH A MID PALATE OF MANDARIN AND MARIGOLD FINISHING WITH SHARP LIME LEAF AND SATISFYING TANNINS. 

This apple is also known as Prime Red or Akane however this variety was originally bred in Japan making the name Tokyo Rose a more appropriate name to its origin. Japan and the west coast of the US of have long shared common agricultural interests. Not just fruit crops but also timber. The deep history of strength and weakness of this tie gives cause for the conversations to continue. Storytelling among peoples of different origins can often be heightened by opening bottles of history and sharing in experience.

GOLDEN RUSSET - 2436 BOTTLES - PACKAGED ON 12/31/20

TWO YEAR BARREL AGED SOLERA BLEND FROM A SINGLE TREE. AN HERBACEOUS CIDER WITH GENTLE HEAT, EARTHY TONES AND AROMAS OF STREET CORN AND BLACK PEPPER.

This is certainly not a cider made using potatoes. Russeted features are a distinct notable difference between varieties of fruits, roots and vegetables. Golden Russet was once and to some still is a common apple. Originating in England and making its way across the world as a crunchy dessert fruit. Typically this wouldn’t be an apple chosen to ferment if we were purchasing from orchards, but when there is an absolutely beautiful tree positioned in a special location, there is a worthy highlight of the soul of the tree (respect to George Nakashima). This is a cider aged for 2 and 3 years from a single tree harvested over 2 seasons with intent to let the soul shine.