The Orchard
Our cider-making starts with our trees, some of which are well over a half-century old. We tend them with the minimum of intervention possible, combining organic and eco-certified methods when necessary to keep them healthy and productive. We grow over 100 varieties —some modern, some heirloom, and some European bittersweet.
We pick the apples as late as possible to allow more flavor to develop, then press them in small batches using a traditional rack and cloth press. The apples are fermented slowly at cool temperatures and aged for 6-10 months before bottling. In 2019 we moved the entire fermentation and bottling process on-farm, meaning that Treasury Cider is made at Fishkill Farms from start to finish.
The Hudson Valley climate and rich glacial soils yield unique, site-specific flavors to our cider. Unlike commercial cider, which is often made with under-ripe fruit and over-sweetened with sugar, Treasury Ciders are dryer and less carbonated, and pair wonderfully with a variety of foods.
“As farmers, we must balance our roles as stewards of the land, employers and food producers while making advances each season in the direction of better farming.”
The Farm
Fishkill Farms is a third-generation, 270-acre orchard and vegetable farm owned and operated by the Morgenthau family. The farm is located in the town of East Fishkill in New York’s Hudson Valley, an area celebrated for its high-quality soils and natural beauty. Our family is committed to preserving the land and keeping it in agricultural production. We grow a wide range of fruits and vegetables, but have stayed true to our roots as an apple orchard, growing over 50 acres of apples and more than 80 distinct varieties. These include modern dessert fruit as well as heirloom and bittersweet types grown exclusively for fermented cider.
Sustainability is a priority…
All our apples are cultivated using environmentally-conscious methods, and the minimum of intervention. Since 2009, the farm has gone entirely without the use of synthetic fertilizers or herbicides typical in commercial fruit production. These methods and the unique qualities of our site (from soil to climate), contribute to the fruit in ways that are tangible and intangible.
Over 15 acres of the farm’s apples are certified organic which the rest of the orchard is certified Eco Apple by Red Tomato.
In addition to apples, Fishkill Farms has a 300-member CSA and runs an extensive pick-your-own operation from June through October. We grow everything from Jewel strawberries and White Lady peaches to Cherokee Purple tomatoes and Sugar Plums for pick-your-own, culminating with apple season in the fall. Hayrides, live music and pumpkin picking are a regular event, and the farm hosts a variety of seasonal festivals and farm dinners.