Robinette Cellars Scores Four Medals at 6th Annual Great Lakes Cider & Perry Competition

Robinette Cellars in Grand Rapids proudly brought home four medals from the 6th Annual Great Lakes Cider & Perry Competition, sponsored by the Great Lakes Cider & Perry Association (www.greatlakescider.com). The competition was held April 2 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

This year, significant growth was reported in the number of participants, drawing 265 entries in 19 categories from throughout North America from Washington to Nova Scotia and from Quebec to Texas, as well as entries from overseas (Last year, the total number of entries was 91, in 17 categories).

This competition includes categories for both commercial producers (those who may lawfully sell their products) and non-commercial producers (home hobbyists and commercial establishments such as cider mills that press fresh juice but are not licensed to sell fermented products). With 19 categories of entry, the competition is unique in its high level of inclusiveness with fermented products of all kinds are welcome: ciders, perries, meads, beers, and commercial distillates, provided that they are made with apples or pears.

This year, Robinette Cellars received medals for:

Common Cider
Bronze – Barzilla’s Brew Hard Sider
Lightly carbonated, dry, made with apple juice.

Fruit Cider
Bronze – Apple Cherry Hard Cider
Lightly carbonated, semi-dry, made with apple juice and Michigan cherry juice.

Intensified Cider
Silver - Dessert Apple Wine
Apple wine fortified with apple brandy.

Open Mead
Bronze – Cyser
Honey and apple juice fermented with dates & raisins.

“This is a great honor for us to bring home so many medals from this competition once again,” says Bill Robinette – hard cider maker and wine maker at Robinette’s. “With the increase in the number of entries from around the world, it’s great that we’re being recognized for our products in a variety of categories. Michigan had a proud showing at the competition, and we’re excited to be part of this thriving agri-tourism industry.”

Robinette Cellars began producing its line of hard cider, mead, cyser and wine in January, 2006, and currently has a product list of 16, all made with Michigan fruit. Visitors to Robinette Cellars pay $3 per person or $5 per couple for a souvenir wine glass and samples of six of their local wines. The glass can be brought back on future visits for free tastings.

Founded in 1911, Robinette’s is a 5th generation, 125-acre year-round agricultural destination in northern Kent County – celebrating its Centennial in 2011. In addition to the orchard and winery, Robinette’s offers a cider mill, farm market, corn maze, horse-drawn wagon rides, mountain biking trail, bakery and full lunch menu. The 1800s Gift Barn features made in Michigan products, such as food items and fine art, as well as holiday decorations and custom-packaged gift boxes.

Robinette’s holds memberships in the Michigan Apple Committee, Michigan Cider Makers Guild, Michigan State Horticultural Society, Kent Harvest Trails, Great Lakes Cider & Perry Association, Local First and West Michigan Tourist Association.

For hours, activities and more information, visit www.robinettes.com