Abuls Cidery
Abuls is one of the most experienced cider makers in Latvia. They craft artisanal cider near Smiltene, in Northern Vidzeme.
Our Story
Cider making began in 2000, with passionate experimentation using local apples each year. Later, inspiration was drawn from visiting cider regions in Normandy, Asturias, Somerset, and the Basque Country. Since 2018, cider has been made in a newly built cider cellar near an orchard, at the very source of the Abuls River.
Apples
The cider orchard hosts about 400 apple trees - some are special English cider apples, local wild apples, paradise apples, and local late autumn apple varieties. True apple varieties are also sought on expeditions in Latvian nature - in forest edges, ditches, and abandoned gardens.
Ciders
The ciders are crafted using white wine-making techniques, which help preserve the freshness and local apple aroma as much as possible. All Abuls ciders are handmade. The cider is also fermented using the wild yeasts found on apple skins, which adds a natural sweetness of apple juice.
For Visitors
The offer includes a tour of the cidery and orchard, a tasting of all available ciders, stories about cider culture, and the cider-making process.
Where to Buy
The cider is available in bottles and on tap in kegs. Abuls ciders can be purchased in bars, cafes, and stores, as well as in markets and festivals, at the Abuls cider cellar, and online at the e-shop bode.abuls.lv.
Our Ciders
Yarlington Mill/ Mežāboli (crab apples)
Cider, Semi-sweet, Keeved Cider, Sparkling, 4.9% ABV, Contains sulphites
This is a special cider, crafted from apples from own orchards, combining sweet-bitter cider apples for depth with wild apples gathered in Kurzeme, which add a refreshing hint of acidity. Using the 'Keeving' method and wild fermentation, the cider’s natural sweetness is preserved, perfectly balanced by rich tannins.
Serve the cider chilled in white wine glasses to let its aroma fully open. It pairs beautifully with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, fresh goat cheese, and delicate seafood dishes. It can also complement light desserts such as an apple tart or pavlova.