We grow classic American farmhouse ciders.
The Orchards
SugarCreek Ciderworks operates two orchards straddling the valley of the Little Miami River.
The primary orchard block is situated on the south-facing slope above Lammes Creek, a tributary on the western side of the Little Miami. This orchard sits atop a layer of Devonian Limestone overlaid with 8 feet of Miamian Silt-Loam soil. Our southerly aspect and aggresive creek drainage combine to form the ideal microclimate for growing fine cider apples. Planted in 2019, the Lammes Creek site is comprised of Golden Russet, Winesap, Hewe’s Crab, Arkansas Black, Ashmead Kernal, Michelin, Harrison, Black Twig, and Kingston Black.
Our second orchard block lies five miles to the east of the Lammes Creek site, atop the bluff above the Little Miami, in Spring Valley Township. This orchard was planted in Spring 2024 after a 3-year conditioning program comprised of repeated cycles of deep plowing and green manure cover cropping. The Spring Valley orchard features deep, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, with a gentle westerly slope. Here we grow our Spanish varieties alongside Porter’s Perfection, Yarlington Mill, Oxford Black, Shavel’s Sharp, and Wickson Crab.
Our orchard management methods closely reflect and dialogue with our cidermaking philosophy. We favor minimal intervention using organic methods, spraying for tree health while emphasizing soil biome, microbe diversity, and strict sanitation standards. We believe the role of the orchard manager is to cultivate a balanced ecosystem.
The Ciderhouse
SugarCreek Ciderworks produces estate-grown, small-batch, hand-crafted table ciders. Our ciders are milled, pressed, fermented, and bottled in a 500 square foot shed on our family farm 2 miles north of the town of Bellbrook, in Greene, County, Ohio.
We are a variety-focused, fruit-forward ciderhouse. Our varietal selection is carefully tailored to produce thoughtful, well-balanced blends and expressive single varietals. We slow-press on a traditional rack and cloth press, followed by cold, minimal-intervention fermentations and natural bottle conditioning to create robust and lively ciders. We target clean flavor profiles in which the unique characteristics of each variety are allowed to fully express themselves and complement the final blends.
The results are deep, earthy, complex, but refreshing and highly drinkable ciders with instantly recognizable terroir that pair well with a wide variety of dishes.
Follow Our Journey
SugarCreek Ciderworks represents the culmination of a 10-year agricultural odyssey. Follow along as we build and develop a cider operation in the Ohio River Valley.