HOPEWELL, N.Y.— The Finger Lakes is well-known for its variety of offerings for residents and tourists, including wine and cheese pairings. But the region also boasts an upcoming craft cider scene, thanks to being a part of the second-largest state for apple production.
One of those businesses is Star Cider, a small family-first tasting room and cidery in Canandaigua, New York.
A Hobby for Making Cider
Founded in 2014, Star Cider started as a small-scale operation for Cortni and Adam Stahl out of their garage. Both had backgrounds in producing alcohol.
Cortni studied Biology at Cornell University before becoming head cider maker for Blue Toad Hard Cider in Virginia. For Adam, cider production was in his blood, as he learned the process from his grandfather and great-uncle.
Through their passion for fermentation, the Stahl’s began to turn their hobby into a business venture. And the duo went all in, selling their home and moving into an Airstream trailer in Clifton Springs, New York.
After selling their home, the Stahl’s put the money from the sale of their home back into the cider process and hit the ground running.
Eventually, the Stahl’s began selling their cider in many local bars, breweries, and restaurants across the Finger Lakes Region.
People began to notice Star’s craft cider. And in 2016, the cidery earned four medals in the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition.
With this newfound success, the wheels began rolling to expand Star’s production. And in 2017, the company partnered with Finger Lakes Community College through START-UP NY.
According to their website, the program allows new businesses to run tax-free for 10 years, as long as they are on or near an NYS college campus.
Through the partnership, Stat invested $300,000 into the project to upgrade its production facility and create educational opportunities for students to learn about cider making.
With this new adventure, the Stahl’s continued to build Star’s reputation in the community. But everything changed in 2019 when the duo started something they dreamt of doing.
Hobby Turns Into Tasting Room
After having much success in their once hobby-turned-lifestyle, Cortni and Adam Stahl were ready to build a place of their own.
The couple began looking around for a plot of land to build their dream tasting room. Eventually, the Stahl’s settled near CMAC, one of the biggest outdoor concert venues in the Finger Lakes. And in the winter of 2019, the Stahl’s began construction on a tasting room.
A couple of months later, the barn structure was complete for the public to see. With large ceilings, the tasting room offers indoor and outdoor seating for guests to enjoy a flight or glass. Their cider also is made in-house, as their production facility is attached to the tasting room.
But Star does not just offer tastings. The cidery offers fans a chance to purchase a four-pack to take home and clothing to show their fandom.
They also promote an exclusive mug club, giving fans access to exclusive tastings of private collection cider and tours.
The company also expanded into the food game, partnering with Neno’s, a gourmet Mexican street food restaurant out of Rochester. Both businesses agreed on a partnership in 2020, and Neno’s established their second location inside the tasting room.
The restaurant offers a new spin on Mexican food, including its loaded nachos and homemade corn tortilla tacos. They also offer dessert options, like their cinnamon sugar churros with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
What is Next For Star Cider?
Over three years have passed since Star opened its tasting room in Canandaigua. But the cidery may have to look elsewhere for the apples used to produce its product.
Last week, Seneca Orchards announced on Facebook that it is closing its doors after 50 years. No reason for the announcement is unknown.
Star has not announced any plans of stopping production and will release a new cider this Friday. They have also rolled out their popular apple crisp flavor for tastings and growler fills at the tasting room.
With the cider scene expanding in the Finger Lakes Region, Star Cider is just one of many gearing up for the fall season full of flannels and bonfires.
But while some involve a massive operation, Star Cider offers something others do not have. And that is a family-first atmosphere full of good times.
