Do cideries use local apples?

Many cideries use local apples, but not all. Farm cideries often press fruit from their own or nearby orchards, and some laws and protected names require it, such as New York's farm cidery license and Traditional Welsh Cider. Other makers buy juice or concentrate from elsewhere, which UK law allows, so check the label or ask the maker.

Updated 2026-10-03

Key facts

New York. Farm cideries must use New York-grown apples where reasonably available; out-of-state apples need authorization after a natural disaster or bad weather destroys at least 30% of the crop. [1]
Virginia. A Class I farm winery must use only fruit grown on its licensed premises, and a Class IV farm winery 75% fruit grown in Virginia. [2]
Protected names. Traditional Welsh Cider is made from first-pressed juice of cider apples grown in Wales. [3] The Sidra de Asturias PDO covers orchards in all municipalities of Asturias. [4]
UK law. Cider juice can come from concentrate. [5]

Which cideries are most likely to use local apples?

Farm cideries. Orchards that press their own fruit; see what a cidery is.
Licensed farm producers. In states such as New York and Virginia, the license type sets how much fruit must be local. [1] [2] See cideries in New York and cideries in Virginia.
Protected-name producers. PGI and PDO ciders tie the apples to the region. [3] [4]
Real cider makers. CAMRA's definition requires fresh-pressed juice, which usually means apples from nearby. [6] See what real cider is.

How can I find out where a cider's apples come from?

Read the label for an orchard name, a single-varietal apple or a protected name, and ask the maker. If the label says nothing, the maker's website or tasting room is the best place to ask. For buying apples yourself, see where to buy cider apples, and for types of maker, see who makes cider. The glossary entry for cider apples explains the main apple types.

Related answers: what a cidery is · what real cider is

Find it on Cider Radar

Browse makers by country and region, open a maker's page and check their website for their orchards.
Guide: which apples are used for cider? · Glossary: cider apple
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Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

Questions

Do protected cider names require local apples?

Usually. Traditional Welsh Cider must be made from apples grown in Wales, and Sidra de Asturias only from registered Asturian orchards of approved varieties. [3] [4]

Can cider be made from concentrate?

In the UK, yes: duty law counts juice that has been concentrated, or diluted from concentrate, as juice for cider. [5] CAMRA's real cider definition excludes it. [6]

Sources

New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 58-C: Farm cidery license — New York State Senate
Farm Winery (licence definitions) — Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
Protected food name specification: Traditional Welsh Cider (PGI) — Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
About us — Consejo Regulador DOP Sidra de Asturias
Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
What are real cider & perry? — CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)