The essence of the apple begins with the trees. Noel Miller and Harrison Heilman, co-owners and the creative duo behind 1913 Kickapoo Orchard, Kickapoo Orchard West, and Roots to Fruits Nursery in Gays Mills, began their pomology (the study and science of trees and fruit) journey through a passion for the apple tree.
"To understand the fruit, I wanted to immerse myself in the history of apple trees from their beginnings in Kazakhstan to their migration to the United States," says Miller.
For more than a decade, under the mentorship of respected orchardists such as Bill Meyer, the prior owner of Kickapoo Orchard, Miller refined his expertise in all things apples. Miller has been a foodie his whole life, including owning and operating restaurants in Chicago. He now combines that passion with skills built at Roots to Fruits Nursery, and that’s where the true magic of apple alchemy occurs. With in-house and dedicated partner makers, Miller turns 1913’s daily food cafe menus and apples into even more.
Wisconsin is home to countless creatives and 1913 has partnered with several to showcase their apples. Cache Cider, Restoration Cider Co. and Hidden Cave Cidery are just a few of the talented small-batch artisans they have worked with to formulate custom-blended juices for their hard cider. “This opportunity to celebrate craftsmanship and refinement is a highlight of each apple season for the 1913 team,” says Heilman.
The market at 1913 focuses on sourcing Wisconsin and Midwest items and proudly sells these delicious libations. The alchemy of the apple doesn’t stop there; you’ll find apple butter (no-sugar option too!), legendary apple cider donuts, decadently decorated caramel apples, a bakery bursting with gourmet items made fresh daily and more—all made from 1913 apples.
This fall, 1913 is excited to launch a not-to-be-missed culinary delight: cider syrup. This storied elixir, with roots dating back to the founding of our country, provides a flavor indulgence, making your taste buds ask, "Where have you been all of my life?!" Available in original flavor as well as a perfectly balanced blend of cider and Wisconsin maple syrup, cider syrup provides the perfect pairing with ice cream, yogurt, coffee and granola. It also takes sautéed dishes, such as salmon, to the next level, and the mocktail and cocktail creations are endless.
No visit to an orchard is complete without the taste of apple cider. Over its 100-year tenure in the region, 1913 Kickapoo Heritage Apple Cider has been carefully crafted. Choosing just the right apples that highlight balanced flavor notes and Brix (measurement of sugar content) is truly a delicate convergence of art and science. Whether enjoyed as a cold cup on a warm fall day, in a float, or in your favorite warmed wassail recipe, cider is a taste experience that reflects the maker, the tree, the fruit and the land.
This fall, as you plan your getaways, be sure to add 1913 Kickapoo Orchard to your list. Located in the Apple Capital of Wisconsin, the orchard sits atop the ridge of Gays Mills, offering stunning views of the Driftless region, where you, too, can experience apple alchemy.
1913KICKAPOO.COM | @1913KICKAPOO | VISIT US AT 46490 WI-171, GAYS MILLS, WI
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