Tell us your name, your cidery name, and a brief introduction.
Tallgrass Cider is owned and operated by John and Brooke Knisley. Our cidery is located in the tallgrass prairie biome of Minnesota and we stive to incorporate this landscape into the essence and story of our ciders. Tallgrass officially became a “Farm Winery” in August of 2020 and has released three ciders to date (with more to come this summer). The organic fruit is grown and harvested at our farm, Alternative Roots Farm, with orchards near Madelia and Lake Crystal, Minnesota.
The cidery is part of the Knisley’s full-circle farming system, which includes pigs, chickens, winter greens and various perennial fresh fruit. All of the orchards that are managed by the Knisleys are certified organic.
What do you find to be the most interesting thing about cider?
We believe that the apples that we grow and the landscapes they are grown on are diverse and complex, which is reflected in the cider. With over 50 apple varieties, pears, apricots, plums, raspberries, blackberries and elderberries grown on the farm there is ample opportunity to explore flavors and fruit pairings.
“With over 50 apple varieties, pears, apricots, plums, raspberries, blackberries and elderberries grown on the farm there is ample opportunity to explore flavors and fruit pairings.”
There is a certain terroir evident, and distinctive, between the apples from the two different orchards.
What is something you wish everyone in Minnesota knew about cider?
We come at this philosophy as we have for our farming local produce over the last decade - everyone should know where their cider comes from, where the apples are grown and who is making it. Like grapes for wine, the region the fruit is grown in and the practices used to grow the fruit all add to the cider.
Tell us a bit about your cidery’s history. When were you founded? What prompted you to make cider?
John and Brooke started Alternative Roots Farm in 2011 with a focus on vegetables and a random opportunity to manage an orchard. This first orchard experience grew John’s passion for growing perennial fruit crops. Four years ago we decided to focus 100% on our orchard operation, on perennial fruit. In a twist of fate, at that same time, John met another orchardist looking to retire and for someone to manage 10 acres of apple trees. The first trees were planted at the older orchard site the year John was born, in 1984. This orchard is full of life – native prairie wildflowers, fox snakes, skinks and many different plant species. This expanded our production beyond the 4.5 acres home orchard. When it comes to cider, we had been homebrewing with friends since 2013, refining our process. In 2019 we decided to pursue our Farm Winery license, becoming fully licensed in August 2020.
Spread the love … What cider would you recommend from another MN cidery?
We were just at Number 12 and I (John) would highly recommend Syndicate! Brooke loves the Raspberry Hibiscus cider from Wild State Cider.
Not going to lie, I enjoy drinking cider and knowing the people behind making them – there really is not a cidery in Minnesota that I do not enjoy or appreciate!
How can folks find you online?
Instagram: @tallgrasscider, Facebook: Tallgrass Cider, Website: www.tallgrasscider.com