This press was first used in
the 1890's, but Critz Farms is now in our fourth year of sweet
apple cider production!
The Harvest Moon Cider
Mill:
Sweet apple cider is pressed on our antique
Boomer & Boschert, 48" x 48" four screw press.
The press, circa 1890's, was made in Syracuse, NY, and was originally
used at a water powered cider mill in Pennsylvania. We acquired
the press in 2006 and have made significant renovations to meticulously
and authentically restore it. The press is line shaft driven
and is currently powered by an electric motor. Visitors can watch
all the steps of the cider production and will be intrigued by
the noisy series of conveyor belts, gears, and belts used to
move the apples through the process of being washed, ground,
spread, pressed, UV treated, and bottled to produce farm fresh
delicious sweet apple cider.
This historical machinery is one of the
last operating four screw cider presses in New York State. It
is designed to press over 1000 gallons of cider per day, using
25 bushels of apples to make about 75 gallons of cider per press.
Cider pressing demonstrations, complete with informational explanation
and audience participation, will take place on weekend days from
10-4 during our annual Fall Harvest Celebration.
Free samples of our delicious cider
are available on weekends, and of course you'll want to take
some home! Don't forget to try the
fresh, hot apple cider mini-donuts too!
The Apple Orchard:
We began planting our first apple trees
in spring 2005 and had our first harvest in September 2007. It
has taken a number of years to establish the orchard, now complete
with 1800 dwarf apple trees. The farm grows Cortland, Empire,
Macoun, several Macintosh varieties, and Honey Crisp apples.
Each year our production is expected to increase as the trees
mature. After a devastating frost last year took our entire crop,
the trees have recovered beautifully and are looking quite robust
this year. We anticipate an excellent crop!
Pick-your-own:
Critz Farms visitors are invited for apple picking on weekends
beginning in mid September and continuing into October while
supplies last. Purchase your picking bags in the Balsam
Barn Gift Shop prior to boarding the wagon that will take
you out to the orchard. We request that all visitors pick into
the bags we provide so that there is no need to weigh the apples
when you are finished. Rather, the apples are measured (picked)
into bushel or half bushel bags. Currently, wagon rides to the
orchard are only offered on weekends, however, weekday visitors
can inquire in the gift shop about the possibility of accessing
the orchard at other times.
Pre-picked apples: We will also have fresh, locally grown pre-picked
apples for sale. Some of the varieties may come from our own
orchard while others come from our fellow growers in Apple Valley.
Visitors can hand select their apples from the large crates,
allowing for ample opportunity to mix and match from the varieties
available each week.
The Harvest Moon Cidery:
New this year ~ We are very excited about the anticipated
opening of the Harvest Moon Cidery, an extension
of the Harvest Moon Cider Mill. After experimenting with hard
cider production on a "home winery" level, Critz Farms
obtained a federal permit to produce hard cider for sale to the
public. Our New York State license should be close behind, so
we anticipate our Grand Opening to take place in September.
The Harvest Moon Cidery
is a licensed Farm
Winery specializing
in hard cider.
We will be making all our hard ciders using our sweet cider as
a base. We have been fermenting and developing special recipes
which we are looking forward to sharing with farm visitors. We
anticipate about six hard cider products to start, some of which
will be offered on tap. We have both still ciders and sparkling
ciders in the works, and have been designing our tasting room
that we anticipate building this summer.
The Tasting Room: Plans are in the works to build
an addition on the south end of the Cider Mill / Sugar House
building. This new structure will house a winery production area
as well as a comfortable tasting room (with lots of windows and
a big patio!). We will offer tastings as well as hard cider by
the glass for on farm consumption. Of course you'll be able to
purchase hard cider to take home as well! We expect to provide
interested visitors with informational tours about hard cider
production too!
Visit
us on Facebook and sign up for our e-mail list if you want to
keep track of our progress toward our anticipated September opening!
Critz
Farms ~ Traditions Start Here...
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e-mail address in the green box at the bottom of the menu bar.
Find out when each crop is ready and what special events we have
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e-mails by clicking here for our Critz
Farms E-mail Archive. Thanks!
|
Critz Farms
3232 Rippleton Road
Cazenovia, NY 13035 |
Phone: 315-662-3355 800-442-3225
Fax:(315)662-3040
email:info@critz farms.com |
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