056: Chuck Shelton | Albemarle Ciderworks, Virginia

Please Help Support Cider Chat donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Chuck Shelton of Albemarle Ciderworks & Vintage Virginia Apples weighs in on blending and single apple variety ciders and the complexity of cidermaking.   This Virginia cidery is a family run business on a farm that was purchased by the Shelton Family. Today the business side of the cidery is managed by his sister Charlotte, while Chuck overseas the cider. Their brother  Bill is the Nursery Manager and Bill's daughter Anne Shelton is the General Manager. This is a142 acre farm with a 12 acre orchard, where they grow over 250 varieties! The soil is red clay or what Chuck calls a "rocky. red clay". The Sheltons tend to apple tree for the cidery and also sell trees. Their friendship with Virginian Tom Buford, has been fruitful for the family not only because he is consider now part of the family, but due to his extensive knowledge of Apples. Tom is the author of Apple of North American: Exceptional Varieties for Growers, Gardeners and Cooks, which won the 2014 American Horticulture Society book Award. Chuck Shelton was an "amateur cidermaker" for 7 years before he took a class in 2006 with Peter Mitchell, who teaches cidermaking. In 2008 the Sheltons obtained the licensing to open Albemarle and in 2009 the cidery was opened to the public. Visitors can purchased 'fresh pressed apple juice" for consumption and a full range of blended and single variety ciders. Chuck provided lots of tidbits on how he does a blended cider and single variety ciders. Chuck describes Albemarle as a four prong business Fresh Pressed Juice Cider Classes on pruning, grafting, planning a home orchard Cider Forum Contact info for Albemarle Ciderworks and Vintage Virginia Apples Tasting Room and Information 2545 Rural Ridge Lane North Garden, VA  22959 Tasting Room Hours and Information Office Phone: 434.297.2326 Tasting Room Phone: 434.979.1663 Email: [email protected] If you like Cider Chat and want to support more episodes like this chat with Chuck Shelton Ask for the following 3 #CiderGoingUP Campaign cider supporters - By supporting these cider makers, you in turn help Ciderville. Big Apple Hard Cider - NYC Kurant Cider - Pennsylvania Oliver's Cider and Perry - Herefordshire/UK Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Please Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio and where ever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on twitter @ciderchat