Creek and Gully Cidery
Creek & Gully is a cidery and tasting room located on a gorgeous apple orchard in Naramata, BC. Started by Annelise Simonsen and her sister-in-law Kaleigh Jorgensen, this new cidery is all about family. Simonsen comes from a family of farmers, growing organic apples on their 55 acre farm for five generations. But Simonsen isn't a farmer, even if her roots are in farming. She studied art history, and worked for years as a pastry chef along side Kaleigh Jorgensen. But her roots eventually brought her home, and she found her own way to build a business alongside her family. When Annelise and Kaleigh decided to start the cidery, they kept both family and sustainability in mind. Fruit farmers can only sell "beautiful" fruit to stores, those with a blemish are often wasted or sold for a very low price. By using the "ugly" apples for their cidery, Creek & Gully helps to reduce food waste, while paying a really positive and sustainable price for that food. A win-win.
Here are the ciders we tried:
2019 Pink Lady is Creek & Gully Cider’s first single varietal! The Certified Organic Pink Lady apples used to create a well-rounded cider, with a tart finish. This cider is dry.
2019 Century Pét-Nat is made from 106-year-old Certified Organic Red Delicious Apple tree. It has been blended with Dolgo Crab & Jonagold apples. Fermented in neutral oak barrels. This cider is dry.
2018 Sparkle is made with a blend of Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonagold, and Gala Apples. The Creek & Gully Sparkle is a traditional method cider.
Pink Lady, Braeburn, Gala, and Ambrosia are used to create the 2018 Orchard Blend. Super creamy and ultra dry. Delicate layers of tangerine, hazelnut, and herbal notes. Traditional Method Cider.
2019 Flora is a combination of 7 varietals of Certified Organic apples. Made in the Traditional Method, Flora is Creek & Gully’s house cider, representing all of the apples grown on the home lot. This cider is dry.
2018 Goldie ‘Oldie’ is Creek & Gully Cider’s back vintage. This cider is made from Certified Organic Ambrosia, and Gala apples with a hint of Pink Lady, and Braeburn. Made in the Traditional Method. This cider is creamy and dry.
I haven't had a lot of cider myself, but I did really enjoy the Pink Lady Pét-Nat. I love the fact that their farm has been certified organic for over 30 years, and that they are using apples that would otherwise go unused. Creek & Gully calls themselves a "natural" cidery, which means they do as little as possible to the fruit, letting the natural yeast do most of the work, resulting in a very natural tasting cider. Give it a try!
Creek & Gully Cidery
1053 Poplar Grove, Penticton, BC
Disclosure: Media Visit.