About Us

A Warm Welcome from all of us in Washington Apple Country
Apple Capital of the World

We live and work in the beautiful mountains of the Pacific Northwest, in Wenatchee, Washington. Our Rivers run wild, the mountains stand tall, and the sun visits over 300 days a year. Our area of the globe provides the experience of four distinct seasons to enjoy, and a bounty of harvest.

Apples

Pears

Blackberries

Wine Grapes

Huckleberries

Peaches

Cherries

Raspberries

Apricots

Blueberries

Culinary Herbs

……..& much, much more!!!

Read the latest news from Apple Country!

Just a bit of trivia; Washington State ranks first in apple production nationally and supplies nearly 60% of all fresh eating apples. Our area being the leading production region for Apples, Cherries & Pears.

So-o-o we are able to offer a tantalizing array of specialty foods, candies, candles, fresh fruit, soaps & lotions made right here in Washington State.

We would love to personally escort you through the orchard, to understand the risks and challenges our growers overcome to provide quality food for our nation and international world market. Apple Country Tours are available from Blossom to Bearing for education and entertainment. So……. come join us in the Orchard- or have a piece of the magic sent straight to you, your family or friends……..

Here at Washington Apple Country, we offer online secure ordering for our customers. We also promise to continue adding new & incredible items for your pleasure & indulgence. So sit back, relax, because we deliver right to your home or business!!! Coming to visit us in Apple Country??……..Check out our lodging.

Canyon Hideaway:

A beautiful mountain chalet in the heart of apple country

Let us hear from you soon, we look forward to serving you, your family, and friends.

From Marcia Green and all of us at Washington Apple Country

Cider Mill History

In 1999-2005 Marcia Green developed Apple Country Tours & Events while coordinating U Pick & orchard tours as an educational guide. The www.washingtonapplecountry.com website shipped specific items showcased from the region. By 2004 the Lady Blush Collection was available online. The eventual purchase of the Cashmere Cider Mill moved all cider products into the Lady blush Collection with recipe refinement and a watchful eye to provide the best taste experience.

The Cider Mill Property has a 20 year history in cider production. The Rankin Family were previous owners with the business known to the public as Woodring Orchards, found in a Pike Place Market stall. In 2003 it was renamed the Cashmere Cider House when purchased by Jack Toevs from Quincy.

Our family purchased the business in 2005, after having purchased the cider for many years and developing the Lady Blush Collection. The beautiful labels in the collection have been created to reflect vintage apple box labels.

As we began the journey to develop the Cider Mill as a rural agriculture destination & experience a bit of the country life, attention was placed on simple pleasures like sitting areas best suited to hear the relaxing sounds of the creek, birds song among the herbs & flowers, or strains of music from the amateur & professional musicians.

With an amazing amount of work, the restoration began of a very neglected property…along the way, small amounts of progress are visible. We began with basic clean up, and so many loads to the dump, places that had been trash piles, weed infested, the oil change hang out, and the amount of burn piles our memories refuse to keep track! …Our white picket fence now set the patio apart … with blooming clematis, grape vines, marigolds, petunias, culinary herbs, Mammoth sunflowers, brimming flower pots, and places to rest your weary feet! The transformation process may allow one to hear friends relaxing in laughter, sipping cider, milkshake, or savoring a baked indulgence from the bakery. Life stands still a little longer, & as our Cider Mill song says “Come on down to the Cider Mill, where the food is flowing, till you get your fill @ the Cider Mill.” This tune written exclusively by one of our Open Mic night regulars, Greg Hernish.

The hillside once forgotten to the world of sprinklers and water, grass now grows, herbs are beginning to flourish, & apricot trees are prolific….the creek bubbles alongside picnic tables, & 1939 Chevy truck is surrounded by pumpkin plants, & sunflowers.

In 2007 The Cashmere Cider Mill opened its Tasting Room, and shares its production site for the first time with the general public. Open Thursday through Saturday 10-5, you will be greeted with chilled gourmet cider samples…the perfect thirst quencher on warm summer days, or hot steamed cider to warm you on colder days.

We believe guests enjoy the romance, & features of a winery, without the alcohol, at our Cider Mill.

Our private events carefully planned for private families & business, give the opportunity to see the Lady Blush Cider Mill…smell the herbs, flowers, blossoms…taste the food prepared with simple elegance….& feel the restful atmosphere alongside Mission Creek.

The Tasting Room has all the comforts of leather couches, Wi Fi, seating up to 45 indoors, and intimate receptions spilling outdoors up to 150#

Future Plans

Our future plans include building a shade arbor, installing fountains, adding many more herbs, berries & flowers; rock walls to hold back the sluffing hillside, and a small outdoor stage for our musicians who perform at the Cider Mill. Oh, and fix up the VERY old Farmhouse….which we are now taking suggestions on how best to use it in the future…..Day Spa…Bed & Breakfast, Indoor Private Event site…we welcome your suggestions!

Art/Music

Our celebrations of agriculture extends to featuring musicians and artists…..In August 2008 we begin our “Saturday Live” music series 2-4 PM live music will be performed alongside Mission Creek. Onsite art gallery of Paula Frederick is always open of course.

You may find Paula herself painting by the creek. Her painting style reflects the region through oils & recycling rustic barn woods used to create frames. Long time Washington resident Paula found her inner art emerge only in the last 8s years. Mother of 3 children, the empty nest provided the time to explore her new adventure. She has been commissioned to create paintings for well know locations in North Central Washington, Mission Ridge Ski Resort, Liberty Orchards, makers of Aplets & Cotlets, Anjou Bakery, Antique Mall of Cashmere, Smallwood’s Harvest, Chateau Faire La Pointe Winery, & Cashmere Cider Mill, home of Lady Blush, to name a few.

As to our family musical preferences, Marcia learn

Our special family friends Laurie and Swil Kanim have been great encouragement throwing their personal weight and influence into our monthly Open Mic Music Nights @ the Mill. Bringing us into a new realm…our destination supports & promotes musicians to the region.

Who we are…and our Vision

We are all about celebrating agriculture as we feature our region. We lead tours & workshops through the orchards, our groups exploring nature in all its beauty.

We create private events ….while we share the Lady Blush Cider Mill…where we create our gourmet cider made only in artisan batches, carefully blended.

Our desire is to be known as so much more then “just apple juice”. Instead our carefully created artisan cider blends will bring you a “Moment to Remember”… your experience at the Cider Mill may be the day you became engaged…. your family reunion; an intimate wedding reception with only your closest of family & friends; the team training that boosted your career….the music that made your heart skip; the girls night out where the big news was shared; the gift from nature that encouraged you through your journey of endurance to health from cancer or diabetes…..

We would desire your thirst be quenched on a hot summer day …..or your heart warmed through holidays with spiced cider, heated to perfection…. We know the changing seasons will bring you many more “Moments to Remember”…..while you share in our celebration of agriculture.

Production

Our production process at the Cider Mill always begins with the fruit bins rolling in on the big truck, filled with 800 lbs each. We are not growers, but rather support the growers as we purchase only local fruit. We have the benefit of selecting the fruit that we purchase, & you will never find bottom of the barrel fruit going into our cider as a last resort to make money on throwaway fruit. The color of our cider is vibrant, golden apple, raspberry red, & huckleberry purple. We prefer to create blends using a sweet apple like Golden Delicious, & blend in a tart variety like Granny Smith. During the year we may choose to use other varieties.

Our goal is to remain a smaller family owned business with the opportunity to stay connected with our guests & customers. We have some of their heartfelt stories to share. Our attendance to the Victorian Country Christmas 2007, our customers shared their progress with cancer & diabetes.

Our gourmet cider is all natural, no preservatives, no additives, or coloring. We bottle exactly what we press. We suggest when you get home with your very own Lady Blush cider, you shake long & deep before each pour. The sediment you see in the bottom of each bottle is the amazing flavor that has not been filtered out.

We’ve chosen to focus on wine alternative selections in glass bottles. While they look like wine, they are completely non-alcoholic, for those who have chosen not to drink, are the designated driver, pregnant or health reasons. They are perfect to share at your next dinner party as a special gift or personal indulgence. Our glass wine bottles are shelf stable and last 2 + years without refrigeration.

We also bottle into plastic pints, quarts, ½ gallon & gallon jugs. These may be refrigerated or frozen. Our local fruit stands have the option to sell these alongside their fresh fruit.

Why small batches……We are convinced we offer a premium blend through carefully selected fruit & berries and produce only small artisan batches.