Dragon’s Head Farm on Vashon Island is home to over 1,500 cider fruit trees and is named for the dragon who guards the apples of immortality in the Garden of Hesperides.   Each fall they harvest our apples and pears and along with others from small family orchards in Chelan, Wenatchee, Mount Vernon and Hood River They collect the juice for their ciders.  The cider press is up and running for about three months every fall with each variety pressed at the peak of ripeness.  The juice is separately collected into tanks and fermented into hard cider.  Spring brings blending.  Some apples contribute a bite of acidity, some contribute high levels of sugar, some contribute beautiful aromas, and each apple has its own unique flavor profile. The artistry of cider making is finding the perfect balance of these characteristics to create a blend, or occasionally recognize the balance of an individual apple which allows it to stand alone as a single varietal cider.  In early summer the ciders are bottled and ready to drink.  This Saturday we’ll be pouring them.  Come give them a try.
 
Pipin Cider $15  .
The Pippin Cider is from Newtown Pippin apples, one of the oldest American apple varieties.  A favorite of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, the Newtown Pippin apple has an exceptional balance of flavors to make a bright and delicious single varietal hard cider. Aromas of Green Apple, honeydew melon and clover.  Flavors of white flowers, tart green apples and lemon zest finish.
 
Wild Fermented Cider  $15 
The Wild Fermented Cider uses the natural yeasts present on the apples. The apples are Jonagold, Melrose, & Stayman Winesap. The Aromas are apple, pear, black current and a hint of banana with flavors of crisp pear, mild spice and a lingering citrus finish.
 
Manchurian Cider $15
The Manchurian Cider is made from a blend of Jonagold, Jonathan, Winter Banana, Baldwin and Spartan apples, topped by the unique characteristics of the Manchurian Crabapple. This petite yet bold apple imparts flavor and dimension to cider on a scale much larger than its size predicts.  The cider has aromas of tropical fruit, woody resins and light floral notes.  The flavors are blood orange, tangerine, tart apple and pear.  
 
Pear Cider  $18
The Pear Cider is made from a blend of very unique seedling pears found on Vashon Island and Bittersweet and Jonagold apples. Subtle sweetness meets balanced tannins in a sparkling cider perfect for celebrations. The aroma is grassy with prominent notes of pear and nutmeg.  The flavors are of dry pear, melon, kiwi and currents.  Only 90 cases made.