Wassail - Annual Artisan Release

Wassail is Ironwood’s annual artisan release and marks five years of developing our natural cider program. These ciders are made entirely with wild fermentation, without cultured yeast, and with minimal intervention. Each release reflects a year of orchard conditions, fermentation, and aging rather than a fixed style or recipe. The focus is on balance, structure, and allowing the fruit to express itself without manipulation.

The ciders are produced using locally sourced, often rare apple varieties selected for structure, aroma, and complexity rather than yield. Individual lots are fermented separately, aged, and blended to express true fruit character rather than sweetness or overt acidity. Join us for an afternoon tasting of the 2026 artisan releases alongside light hors d’oeuvres by Niagara Fireside Drive, and an opportunity to explore how natural fermentation and careful blending shape our most limited ciders.

Featured Ciders

Bramley — English Bittersharp SV 2022

A single-variety cider built around the natural acidity and structure of Bramley apples. Wild fermented and aged to retain freshness and tension, with restrained residual sugar to balance its high-acid profile. Produced in limited quantity, this cider highlights the role of bittersharp apples in traditional English cider.

Calypso — Swiss Redflesh SV 2022

Produced from red-fleshed Swiss apples, Calypso focuses on aromatic lift and color derived entirely from the fruit. Light in structure but precise, this cider emphasizes freshness and mineral clarity rather than weight.

Cyser — Heirloom Mead 2020

A wild-fermented cyser combining heirloom apples and wildflower honey. Slowly fermented and aged to integrate fruit acidity with honey texture, resulting in a dry, balanced expression rather than sweetness.

Reserve — English Bittersweet 2021

Produced from Vineland-grown English bittersweet apples and barrel fermented. The most structured cider in the lineup, emphasizing tannin, depth, and time, with a composed, cellar-driven profile.

Russet — Heirloom SV 2024

A single-variety cider highlighting the distinctive character of Russet apples. Wild fermented and aged with subtle oak influence, focusing on texture, nuttiness, and length rather than overt fruitiness.

Sobre — Heirloom Blend 2023

A dry, zero-residual-sugar blend of culinary and wild apples. Built for precision and balance, Sobre emphasizes structure and acidity over aroma or sweetness and reflects Ironwood’s blending philosophy in its purest form.