Nine Pin Cider, City of Albany, Washington Park Conservancy plant urban orchard in Albany’s Washington Park
Project is among first designated urban orchards in the United States
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 15, 2018) — Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, today joined local and state officials, the Washington Park Conservancy, and Samascott Orchards in planting eight dwarf apple trees as part of its Albany Urban Orchard project in Washington Park.
More than 100 joined in for the planting of the trees. The orchard varieties include Idared, Northern Spy, Gold Rush, Golden Russet, Jonathan, Roxbury Russet, Esopus Spitzenburg, and Otterson.
“Nine Pin prides itself on our commitment to New York agriculture, so the addition of the urban orchard right here in Albany literally puts roots into our home city. It doesn’t get more local than this. We are very excited to start using apples grown right here in Albany in our cider,” said Alejandro del Peral, Nine Pin’s co-founder and cider maker.
The trees were provided by Kinderhook N.Y.–based Samascott Orchards. Upstate New York’s cold winters and moderate humid summers makes for ideal apple growing conditions. Apples are a member of the rose family of plants. A standard-size apple tree starts bearing fruit eight to ten years after it is planted. A dwarf tree starts bearing fruit in three to five years.
The orchard will aim to educate the community about New York’s remarkable and historically coveted apple crop. Apples have been a pivotal crop in our state since colonial times with hard apple cider being a crucial staple. Today, New York is the second largest apple producer in the United States but more importantly, it is home to the nation’s most diverse apple crop, making New York the destination for outstanding craft hard cider.
“Albany’s Urban Orchard is an important aesthetic and educational addition to Washington Park and the City,” said Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan. “Thank you to Nine Pin Ciderworks, Samascott Orchards, and the Washington Park Conservancy for working together with the City of Albany to bring one of the country’s first urban orchards to New York’s Capital City.”
“This is an exciting and innovative project. Not only will it help highlight New York’s long history of apple culture, it will also introduce new generations to the culture of apples for urban growers. And importantly, this new orchard will strengthen and contribute to the vibrancy of Washington Park as a rich urban oasis surrounded by Albany’s historic neighborhoods,” said Albany Common Councilmember Richard Conti.
To learn more information about this urban orchard project and to learn where Nine Pin products can be found, visit ninepincider.com.
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About Nine Pin Ciderworks: Nine Pin Ciderworks is New York’s first farm cidery. Founded in 2013 and based in New York’s capital city, Albany, Nine Pin cider products can be found in hundreds of bars, restaurants, and retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Nine Pin produces all ciders, sourced from Capital Region and Hudson Valley apples, in its 17,000 sq. ft. cidery facility and tasting room in Albany’s Warehouse District. Be Revolutionary®, Consider The Apple®, and Drink New York Apples®. www.ninepincider.com.
