The good folks over at Keepsake cidery in Dundas, MN granted us special access to their property over the weekend to have a sneak peak at their progress. The Dram Craft crew included seven of us who could not have asked for a better day to spend time on an orchard farm sipping some well crafted cider.
Keepsake formed its roots (literally) in the spring of 2014 when they planted the first of what would become their current 2,400 apple trees. The trees include over 30 varieties that range from domestic and sweet to more bitter UK and French apples. Their trees are all high volume producing and are situated on a surprising 3 acres of land with plans to expand to about 3,200 trees on 7 acres. They additionally grow other types of fruits for special blends and experiments.
Owners Tracy and Nate spoke at length of numerous budding and blossoming relationships with other orchards, farms and spirit producers such as Loon Liquors with whom they have plans for future collaborations. This was fantastic to hear and further proof of the growth of craft culture in rural as well as urban communities. On the floor of their production facility, we saw a number of large crates of different apples "sweating" it out before their not-to-distant pressing. Keepsake is also employing some old world technologies such as the practice of maserating whereby the ground apples are left to marinate in angled vats prior to pressing.
Finally, entering the temperature controlled fermentation room at Keepsake, the spirit of experimentation was palpable as the room was filled with both large tanks, presumably fermenting juice for their flagship releases, as well as dozens of carboys containing specialized projects. Since the young orchards at Keepsake have yet to produce juice that has made it into a bottle of their currently available cider, Keepsake's crews have worked hard to source their first batches from other orchards. However, we were treated to a sampling of some of Keepsake's own wild fermented juice and we eagerly anticipate the finished, limited release product that will be due out in the coming year. Eventually Keepsake intends to release ciders that contain 80% juice from estate grown apples.
It was pleasing to hear Nate and Tracy speak of the exciting growth and collaboration going on at Keepsake and among others south of the Twin Cities area. However, as they reiterated multiple times throughout our visit, Keepsake intends to stay small and focus on doing one thing and doing it well. For all of us here at Dram Craft, that's something to which we can eagerly raise a glass. Cheers.
