In a world where cider companies take shortcuts in the name of profit, Orchard Girls Cidery stays true to the craft. While other cideries will use essences to flavor their ciders and import juice from other states or countries to create a “Maine Made” product, OGC only uses fresh, locally sourced fruit in its recipes. From apple to keg, everything is done in-house. Not many companies can claim that in order to begin a new batch of cider, the cider maker himself must visit the orchard to retrieve the fruit that will lay the foundation for his recipe. This literal hands-on approach assures that from the very start, no aspect of the cider making process is overlooked. Quality is of the utmost importance at OGC and the cidermaker’s passion for excellence is evident in the final product.
Orchard Girls Cidery was founded by owner/cidermaker, Daniel Gassett, in 2018. Gassett was an operations manager for a winery in Virginia before moving to Maine in 2014. With titles including vineyard manager and assistant winemaker, Gassett was well versed in the wine-making process. He also attended workshops at Virginia Tech to further his studies on the subject.
Gassett didn’t move to Maine to make cider. It was an endeavor that was born out of necessity and soon became a chance for professional freedom. A quality, dry hard cider was hard to find in the Western Mountains of Maine. Noticing the abundance of orchards in the area, Gassett began working with apples instead of grapes. On the surface, the differences between wine and cider production are quite obvious. But fermentation is the core in each practice. Therefore, Gassett was able to apply a significant amount of the knowledge he gained while in the wine industry to his latest enterprise.
Working two jobs, Gassett put whatever money he had on the side into the business. The production equipment used from the outset were purchased on a tight budget. A ratcheting press, built circa 1890, was refurbished and put back to work after decades of neglect. The grinder was a simple hand-crank model that made crushing excruciatingly long. With a bit of ingenuity, an electric motor was fashioned to the grinder to alleviate some of the strain of production. Now that the production equipment was in place, a means of getting the apples from the orchard to the cidery was next on the list. A rusty old Ford was purchased for the task. Being on a budget, she wasn’t exactly showroom quality. But after a few months of intense rehabilitation, Gassett built himself an ideal rig for transporting apples. After a few years of operating with these tools, a modern grinder and press were purchased to streamline production and make the entire process more efficient.
At a young age, Gassett began to study music. Throughout the years, he has gained inspiration from the writings of some of his favorite artists. Case in point, the name of his company. Not wanting the company to bear his name or use “Mainely” in any way, Gassett found the name of his cidery in a song. “About A Stranger”, is a song written and performed by The Chris Robinson Brotherhood and contains the lyric, “Orchard Girls know only of spring, my love is what this autumn brings.”
Gassett was working in the wine industry at the time of the song’s release but the beauty of the lyric stuck with him over the years. In love with the imagery that the lyric painted in his mind and doubting there was another Orchard Girls Cidery in the world, Gassett’s baby had a name. From time to time, patrons will enter the tasting room looking a little puzzled. They’re curious as to why they are greeted by a 6’2 man and not a few jolly ladies. Though warranted, their confusion subsides as they get the backstory.
Orchard Girls Cidery currently produces fourteen different recipes throughout the year. Six ciders are regularly kept on tap in the tasting room and revolve as the seasonals come and go. Three varietals are bottled and sold in retail stores throughout the state of Maine. Kegs are also sold to bars and restaurants. So keep an eye out for OGC products wherever you may be and if you find yourself in the Kingfield area, pop into the tasting room and get the full experience.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, but apparently I’m doing something right.”
Daniel T. Gassett
Daniel Gassett
Founder, Owner, Cidermaker
